Movie Review: 'Aloo Chaat': Spiceless!

[Salam]

Hrishikesh Mukherjee started a trend. Simple stories narrated in the most simplistic manner. His movies inspired a generation of film-makers and a lot of storytellers even today pay homage to Hrishi-da through their movies.

Robby Grewal does so with 'Aloo Chaat'. Only thing, the film lacks the sweetness associated that you expect from it.

'Aloo Chaat' makes you smile sporadically. At most times it's like watching a TV serial that's not hard to predict. 20 minutes into the film and you know what the culmination would be.

Robby's last outing 'MP3: Mera Pehla Pyaar' was an interesting experience, but 'Aloo Chaat' tries too hard to be a Hrishikesh Mukherjee kind of a film. Its execution brings back memories of the illustrious film-maker's several films as also Rajshri's 'Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye' [Prem Kishen, Rameshwari], but falls flat.

What do you do when your entire family is against the bride of your choice? Do you replace your family? Or do you replace the bride?

Nikhil [Aftab Shivdasani] hails from Delhi and is visiting his family in India. His parents start showing him Punjabi girls for wedding. Knowing the temperament of his father Purshottam [Kulbhushan Kharbanda], he feels hesitant to disclose about his love affair. Hence, he approaches his father's best friend [Manoj Pahwa], who has a great influence on his father. Together they plot to bring Nikhil's girlfriend [Aamna Sharif] into the family.

'Aloo Chaat' suffers due to one major reason: It just doesn't hold your attention. The screenplay [Divya Nidhi Sharma] relies on the same old tricks and the same old situations that we've watched over and over again. You do smile at times not because the scenes are funny, but because the dialogues are witty.

Robby Grewal is letdown by a below-mediocre script. Music [Mehfuz Husain, RDB, Vipin Mishra] is soothing and a couple of melodies are tuneful. The video towards the end credits [RDB] is eye-catching. Dialogues are well penned.

Both Aftab and Aamna are limited to a few expressions. Not their fault frankly because the writing hardly gives them scope to perform. It's the supporting cast that works wonders. Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Manoj Pahwa and Sanjay Mishra sparkle. Dolly Ahluwalia is okay.

On the whole, 'Aloo Chaat' just doesn't work.

[nee_shi]

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