Delhi Belly Review

 For Imran, Vir and Kunaal, it is a dirty life out there. The kind where people are not judged by their clothes, cockroaches feast on pizzas when the 'maalik' is away and men use orange juice to clean themselves up when there isn't any water around. Of course miracles do happen with Imran finding a hot girlfriend in Shenaz Treasury (cute and loveable) and another hot colleague in Poorna Jagannath (smart and desirable). So while the boy doesn't even get half a chance to decide between the two, a crazy day in his life makes it all upside down for him.

Result? A damaged car that had been gifted to him just hours ago by his future father-in-law, a face battered by a dozen odd blows, a damaged roof with a dancer's foot dangling from the top, a run in with gangsters indulging in 'heeron ki smuggling' with Russians, a broken engagement, few bottles of beer and last but not the least, a bag containing Rs. One crore. Well, almost!

In a crazy encounter that results in the aforementioned situations that are as unbelievable they get, Abhinay actually manages to make it all believable courtesy the fast paced narrative that doesn't allow a single moment to think. So while I am penning this review, there are questions that do come to my mind eventually. 'What was the significance of that 'laash' found on road?' 'What exactly did Kunaal's upset belly add on to the film's plot other than getting some humour on screen which actually became a put off when served in excess?' 'What really was the stress point in Imran-Shenaz relationship?' etc. etc.

However in the bigger scheme of things with all the fun on screen, what with Imran taking a straight faced approach, Kunaal being colourful all around and Vir unable to comprehend why is he actually being hung from the roof through a neck tie, there is a lot in 'Delhi Belly' that actually makes one laugh out loud in at least a dozen odd points in the film. And the one who actually provides maximum fun is the oldest of the lot, Vijay Raaz, who has now cemented his place in the industry as a villain who gets some of the best lines.

Of course this also means that there are expletives in abundance, both in English as well as Hindi. Also, when Poorana gets on Imran's top, rest assured the after effects are not just felt by the man but also seen by the audience. And then of course there are all the 'belly' moments which, frankly, turn out to be much to digest. Pun intended. Moreover, for all the talks of the film being in the same genre as 'Lock Stock....', smarter edit cuts on the same lines would have only made the film further engaging.

However leave aside this fact and 'Delhi Belly' turns out to be a 100 minutes joy ride which is also made special due to songs that play in the background at the right time and the right scene. So while 'Bhaag DK Bose' is the pick of the lot as it comes at the all important chase sequence, there is also a certain subtlety in the placement of 'Nakadwaale Khisko'. The end credit title sequence 'I Hate You, I Love You' is of course like the cherry on the cake but my personal favourite is 'Switty Switty' that captures the road rage flavour of the city of Delhi just right.

'Delhi Belly' actually mad me remember the masala films from the 70s/ There was one element that was almost common to most of them - 'heeron ki smuggling'. There was 'maal' which used to be unloaded on the 'docks', there was a currency note that was torn into half with both parties having a piece of it, there was police, there were bad boys and then there were not too good boys. Together it all came together to make one 'masala' affair that by and large kept the audience happy as long as there was some 'dhishoom dhishoom' and win-win situation for all.

Circa 2011 and there isn't much 'dhishoom dhishoom' in the comical drama here. But yes, there is a definitely a homage to the cinema which has gone by with a common element being, as you must have guessed it by now, ton loads of diamonds. And they are no mean diamonds. There are 30 of them, each of them worth 3 lakhs, though as it turns out later, they are worth 6 lakhs each. But then how, why and where does that indeed happen, one has to check out 'Delhi Belly' which is easily the most riotous of the flicks that have hit the screens this year.

Rating: ****1/2

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