Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

It has been nearly 2 months since I put the proverbial pen to paper.  I have watched movies in the interim – they are like the air that I breathe – but a combination of writer’s block and just plain lethargy prevented me from writing.  Not that cinema of the likes of Pyar Ka Punchnama 2 or for that matter Shandaar didn’t inspire me to overcome the lethargy.

Having said that, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (PRDP) hasn’t done much either.  But, it was time to give myself a strong kick on my arse and get down to writing.  So, with the least bit of hope I walked in for the 8:15 am (yes, you read that one right – am not pm) show.  I would have been better off watching the All Stars game of TV but then work comes first right?

At the end of 165 minutes of corny and 40 minutes of advertising (squeeze out all you can from a Bhaijaan release), I walked out feeling much less disappointed that what I should have.  For starters, Sooraj Barjatya has not spared too much when it comes to art decoration.  The sets are as glamourous as can be.

There are parts where of course, the short cuts used in Bollywood stick out like a sore thumb.  Like when Mr. Barjatya decided to “flower decorate” only the side of the bogie that was towards the platform and not the other side.  Why was the shot taken from the other side though? And why would the Princess Maithili (Sonam Kapoor) trundle in on Indian Railways when she has a helicopter at her disposal?

Never mind those minor errors I say.  Lets focus on the menu for our Yuvraaj Vijay Singh (Salman Khan) who has been advised by doctors to eat boiled vegetables for the rest of his life – the yuvraaj has digestion issues you see.  He is, however, allowed to have champagne and speak in French (my apologies to France).  The Yuvraaj (Prince) is to be married to the Princess shortly.

The Yuvraaj survives an attempt on his life that has been strategized by his younger brother Ajay (Neil Nitin Mukesh) and a standing ovation to Uncle Chirag (Armaan Kohli).  He is left in coma of sorts which is quite normal if you were to fall off a cliff into a lake.  However, the Princess’ biggest fan – Prem Dilwala (Salman Khan again) – makes an appearance and is recruited by Diwan Saheb (Anupam Kher) to be a prince for 4 days.

The story is of course ripped from the likes of many others in the past but the one movie that comes to mind immediately is the 1993 Hollywood flick starting Kevin Kline.  The setting is however changed to an Indian Royal family instead of the president of the United States and a Royal Wedding is added for good measure.

Sonam Kapoor hasn’t added much to her CV but proves undeniably that she is a natural diva.  Bhai shuttles between the role of the stiff upper lipped Yuvraaj and the street smart, fun loving Dilwale quite well.  But for his 15 minute screen presence and effortless essaying of Sita Mayya in a Ram Leela play, Deepak Dobriyal outshines everyone else.  Kudos to the make-up team that made Dobriyal look like a woman in the first place.

The music is very “Rajshri”ish.  The dialogue is absolute family melodrama type.  The jokes (if any) are quite flat.  But at the end of it all, it is a standard Rajshri family entertainer.  Much better than the super soppy “Vivah”.  Should do well at the Box Office.  But not really worth investing your time and precious money.  5 on 10.

Watch the trailer on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd4iNPuRlx4