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Jasmine Singh
Who doesn't know or talk about the drug problem in Punjab? Just about every Punjabi across the globe has expressed concern about the menace. Many Punjabi films and documentaries have tried to highlight the problem, but now we have a Punjabi film that has raised the issue in an easy and light-hearted manner. Mr and Mrs 420 Returns, directed by Ksshitij Chaudhary, talks about the problem of Punjab in comic, nonetheless, informative manner. A sequel to Mr and Mrs 420, the film starts with a completely new storyline and content.
Apart from story and direction, the comic dialogues are the USP. The punches are bang on and immensely hilarious, the credit for which goes not only to the dialogue writer but also the actors. Director Ksshitij Chaudhary has already proved with his previous projects that he knows how to make the audience laugh and also subtly push forward a message, and with Mr and Mrs 420 Returns he proves it yet again. There is no dull moment and what is more interesting is that while watching the sequel not for once does one remember the prequel.
The storyline is fresh. So much so every Punjabi family that is facing the issue of drug can relate to the various scenes, especially the one where one sees all the household items of a house tied to a chain so that they are not stolen to procure drugs.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that the film belongs to three artistes, Ranjit Bawa, Jassie Gill and Karamjit Anmol. Ranjit Bawa takes charge of the film from the very beginning. His comedy is subtle and rightly timed. Ranjit is establishing himself as a comic actor who can bring the house down with his 'soft' punches.
Next up are the 'pretty ladies' Jassie Gill and Karamjit Anmol, who are entertaining from the word go. Jassie has an image of a romantic chocolate hero and in Mr and Mrs 420 Returns he tries something completely different by cross dressing as a lady and he nails it. The same holds true for Karamjt Anmol, who is witty to the tee. This is one odd Punjabi film that has generous amount of non- Punjabi dialogues (Haryanavi) which gel well. Two brilliant actors, Gurpreet Ghuggi and Jaswinder Bhalla are good but we expected a lot more from them. Anita Devgan as always is entertaining. A fat share of credit for punch-lines generously goes to Naresh Kathooria. As for the real ladies of the film, it's nice to hear some dialogues from them. The film's music is peppy. Rrupaali Gupta opens her innings in Punjabi film with Mr and Mrs 420 Returns and well, she can act and produce films as well, in the near future too.
The drug problem in Punjab might take some time to solve but till then the film gives an all new perspective on it, one that can be laughed about without undermining the seriousness of the issue.
jasmine@tribunemail.com
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