De Taali REVIEW

Cast: Riteish Deshmukh, Ayesha Takia, Aftab Shivdasani, Rimi Sen, Anupam Kher, Saurav Shukla, Mukul Dev and Pawan Malhotra

Director: E Niwas

Falling in love with a friend is probably the most done-redone and re-re-done plot in Bollywood history but if done a little intelligently, it becomes quite palatable every time. Much like our good old dal-chawal. And De Taali is just that – a well presented good old dal chawal.

So Paglu (Riteish Deshmukh), Abhi (Aftab Shivdasani) and Amu (Ayesha Takia) are the best of friends. And they are all normal characters (Thank God). And one day, Amu realises that she is in love with Abhi. Well she does not really realise it all by herself. Paglu shows her the metaphorical mirror. But it's not that all consuming, I-will-cry-till-I-die kind of love at all. And guess what, that's the good part - There is no melodrama in the film.

Though Abhi obviously is in love with another girl and declares it in front of Amu who by the way was expecting him to say those three magic words to her, it does not leave the damsel too much in distress. There is no excessively sad number where the heroine cries her eyes out over her unrequited love.

In fact, the heroine though visibly sad, does not seem to shed even one drop of precious tear over Abhi. She forms a plan with Paglu's help to get her love back. And a series of funny and quite enjoyable incidents happen. And for those who are thinking that in the process, Paglu will fall in love with Amu and they will start living happily ever after or Paglu will suffer a huge heartache (Thought courtesy: Sangam, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai etc)…he won't. Come on guys, it's a movie about friends who are quite normal – as normal like me and you.

As for performances, the film is out and out Riteish's. He may NEVER be able to be a Yash Raj hero, but the actor surely can make his character interesting enough to fall in love with. He is good with his funny expressions and quick reactions. And the character of a loving, helpful and rather sweet friend really suits the guy.

As for Aftab Shivdasani, after a very very long time, perhaps after his first film Mast, the guy is looking un-sleazy. He is actually looking cute with his dimples and has lived up to his character. The female lead, Ayesha is cute and bubbly and good though we seriously hope she changes her designer and dressing sense. The t-shirts and jeans were fine but the hideous outfits that she tried to pass as sexy…just did not work!

Rimi Sen. Did we forget about her now? Well she plays the other woman – the Rani Mukerji in KKHH and Madhuri in DTPH. Except for the fact she lacks the goodness of heart of a Tina or a Nisha. She is not one to sing Om Jai Jagadish Hare in college or give in to her foster parents' wishes by subduing her own. Moreover, the interesting part is, Rimi Sen unlike her other films is not just a decorative piece in this one. Of course she wears short clothes and does some sensual dancing steps – but she plays a character, a well formed, well thought about, complete character for a change.

There's also an Anupam Kher in the movie, who's quite wasted if you ask. It seems like he left his acting prowess at home when he came to shoot for this one. He is just obsessed with his dog called Jhumroo and fails to be the intended comic relief. There was actually no need of a superimposed comic relief character in a film which was already so light hearted and funny.

So should you watch this film?

VERDICT: Well you go out for serious 'meaningful' cinema and multi-starrers – consider them your eating out days. And there's always a risk – you may or may not like the cuisine you selected. As for this film, it's probably the same boring dal chawal you've grown up eating – but you know that it never goes out of style.

Go for it if you are looking for a light enjoyable evening without the fear of being dissappointed.

RATING: 3.5/5