Review of Film : ‘Shaandaar’
By: Ulhas Shirke
In 1990 Film maker T.C. Dewan produced a multi starrer film ‘Shandaar’ starring Mithun Chakraborty, Mandakini, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Juhi Chawla & Sumeet Sehgal. It wasn’t a great film; but the dialogues of this film penned by Iqbal Durrani had invited the attention of Hindi film lovers. Now, Vikas Bahl, the maker of award winning film ‘Queen’ has offered another ‘Shaandaar, which is certainly not worth its title. There is no logic in the film’s story and the screenplay is badly written, which looks like a bad fairytale, presented in the form of a fantasy.
The beginning part of the film, which is animated, makes the intention of the film maker very clear, through the narration in the background. And, when the film actually begins, you find Vipin( Pankaj Kapoor) driving with his wife( Niki Aneja Walia) and two daughters Isha( Sanha Kapoor) & Alia (Alia Bhatt) to a big palace owned by his mother( Sushma Seth). The family encounters a youngster Jaginder Joginder ( Shahid Kapoor) riding on a motor cycle, who dashes against their car, while attempting to light cigarette, while driving. Isn’t that something funny ?
The same youngster follows them to the palace and wins the heart of the old lady, only to be with the family and impress alia, his love at first sight. Then we see the planning for destination wedding of Vipin’s elder daughter to a so called businessman’s brother from another Royal family. While the ‘would be’ couple get ready for their marriage, Alia, who suffers from Insomnia, goes for swimming during mid night hours, by diving into a waterfall. And, our hero, who mistakes her as a person committing suicide, tries to save her, only to come more closer to her. And, in the rest of the film, we find father’s opposition to Alia’s closeness to Jaginder. There are many stupid happenings inserted into this jumbled screenplay, till the climax of the film. One of them is the ‘Karan Johar Show’, only to accommodate the producer in the cast of the film, in special appearance.
Made under the banners of Phantom Films & Dharma Productions, ‘Shaandaar’ only survives on good performances by Shahid Kapoor, Pankaj Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Sanah Kapoor and few others. By the way Sanah Kapoor who is the daughter of Pankaj Kapoor and half sister of Shahid kapoor, has made her film debut through this film, with a kind of role, most suited to her. But, that was not enough to keep the audience engaged.
Music hasn’t been properly used in this film. On two occasions the remix of songs, only spoil the original version. Only two songs have been shot well; but others have failed to appeal. Good photography captured by Anil Mehta, is the only other plus point of the film, besides good performances by the artistes. It was nice to see veteran Sushma Seth, after a long time. All in all, ‘Shaandaar’ has turned out to be an average entertainer. But, it is hard to believe that this film is directed by the maker of entertaining story based film like ‘Queen’.
(Rating **1/2)