Contributed by VISHAL CHOKSI
After some 4 hours of sleep, the Sunday started early with my trip to the out-skirts of Pune on work front. I also made a trip to Dagdu-seth Ganpati, but he was too busy to give us a personal appointment. So, saw him from far and left for Mumbai. On the way back a friend phoned and invited me for a special screening of ‘Khichdi – the movie’, I thought it was a good idea to hang-out with them especially, after so many failed attempts to meet. As soon as I kept the phone my car’s wheel burst……,”Damn…I was already getting late”.
However, I managed to reach just in time. When we were moving towards the screen, I exclaimed to my friend, “Decent crowd!!!”. A good enough crowd was already waiting for the doors to open….and when the doors opened they roared and went inside. I was wondering whats the pull. That’s when my friend told me that the seating is open and therefore the one who gets in first, will get a better seat……………….I said, “Sasuri……Ab jaike sai phooti”. So, based on our best energetic efforts we ended up on the 2nd row from the screen. That’s when I realized the true meaning of the statement, ‘Watch it on the BIG SCREEN’. Damn, it hurts!!!
I am a simple person and don’t like too much of Khichdi, neither in life nor in food. But after all the Khichdi in the day I was still hopeful of something better and my optimism didn’t let me down. ‘Khichdi – the movie’, turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I had not too keenly followed the serial while it was on television but I can safely say that the movie was good. I was skeptical whether it will have anything new to offer but it turned out to be a laughter riot. Just keep your mind aside and enjoy the fun.
Will not delve too much into the characters, but all of them have done a FUNtastic job. Right from the small kids to the elder most, everyone has played a vital part. I was glad to see Satish Shah after a long time but he didn’t have much to do. Supriya Pathak really plays her part very well. You will feel the atmosphere of the morning laughter clubs, but only difference is that you will not have to make significantly less effort to laugh artificially. It’s a mix of light hearted mindless jokes and some witty ones too. The plot of the movie is also interesting and will keep you glued to the screen (…we were literally glued to the screen from the 2nd row). There is a slight fun on the sikh community but I guess they are the ones who can make fun of themselves and wont mind this at all. But compared to the Gujju’s in the movie, the fun element on the sikh community is far lower.
I was very impressed with the production quality, especially the dream song between HE-MAN-SHU & PARMINDER (the girl). Once the movie starts you will not miss any major stars, nor you will feel that it is a half hearted attempt from the producer.
But still, I would recommend everyone to go with family and friends and especially elders at home. It will surely give you a break from all the Ayodhya & CWG going around. The laughter club has moved to the multiplexes.
Enjoy the Khichdi….!!!