Feb 04, 2012 05:07 PM
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(Updated Feb 04, 2012 05:03 PM)
An innocent common man, pushed to the extreme by the corrupt system, fights back – this has been an interesting premise for many films since many decades and a lot of such films have successfully impressed audiences and critics alike. Gali Gali Chor Hai too in a way rests on this plot and moreover the setting, characters and problems faced by them seem very true to life at many places. But sadly, the script and direction was incoherent which was the chief reason why this film works, but only in parts.
The story of the movie: Bharat (Akshaye Khanna) lives with his father (Satish Kaushik) and wife Nisha (Shriya Saran) in Bhopal. Bharat works as a cashier in a bank and loves playing Lord Hanuman in local Ramleela shows. Life was going smooth for him until one day constable Kushwaha (Annu Kapoor) lands at Bharat’s house and insists that the thief Chunnu Farishta (Vijay Raaz) who stole an old and rusty table fan from their house is arrested. When Bharat explains that they never had a table fan in their house and that he won’t make the rounds of court and police station, Kushwaha remains adamant. Bharat then has no choice but to make daily rounds of ‘court-kacheri’ and even has to spend thousands on ‘chai-paani’ for a fan which is not even worth hundred bucks and also which might not be his! One problem leads to another and Bharat gets into deeper trouble.
The beginning portions of Gali Gali Chor Hai were contrastingly real and unbelievable at places. Bharat’s house, his scooter, Nisha wearing a typical middle class housewife maxi at home…all seems straight out of life. But Bharat and Nisha’s Tu-tu Main-Main and the constable who arrests Bharat’s father from the park seemed very unconvincing. Thankfully, the film gets on track with Kushwaha’s entry and from here till the intermission, the film is a breezy ride, instantly reminding you of the woes of the Khosla family in Khosla Ka Ghosla! The intermission comes at a significant point but sadly the film falters in the second half. Bharat’s attempts to get rid of the table fan doesn’t work and so did the track of the terrorists (show me a terrorist who is so dumb!). The film does rise again during the last 20 minutes and one really tends to feel bad for Bharat for going through hell for no fault of his. The tamacha sequence was excellent in the climax but the director chooses to end the film abruptly and doesn’t take to its logical conclusion. Not done!
Akshaye Khanna does a fine job and looks every inch an aam aadmi caught in the web of corruption. The actor is one of the reasons why I saw Gali Gali Chor Hai as Akshaye is a versatile actor who has proved his worth with films like Taal, Dil Chahta Hai, Deewangee, Naqaab, Gandhi My Father, Race, Aakrosh and Tees Maar Khan. Also, he is very choosy about his films and does select films in a year. But it’s sad to see such a fine actor choosing average scripts like Gali Gali Chor Hai and bad ones like ShortKut-The Con Is On and No Problem. Wake Up Akshaye Bhai and don’t let your talent go waste!
Annu Kapoor was terrific as the constable and easily the best performer in the film. Satish Kaushik too gives his best shot especially in the scene when he goes to the police station. Vijay Raaz was his usual self. Amit Mistry (Ram aka Sattu Tripathy) and Manku Tripathy (Murli Sharma) ably play their negative parts. Shirya Saran was in her character while Mugdha Godse (Amita) doesn’t have much to do. The bomb planters (Pradeep Kabra and Javed Rizvi) were strictly okay. Rajat Rawail who ruined Salman’s Bodyguard thankfully does a nice job here as Bacchu Gulkand! Akhilendra Mishra (Raavan) and Shashi Ranjan (independent candidate Mohan Lal) are likeable.
There was no scope for music (Anu Malik) in Gali Gali Chor Hai. Title song (picturised on Kailash Kher) suits the mood of the film while the romantic track and item song (Veena Malik) were unwanted. Gururaj R J’s cinematography was strictly okay and failed to shoot the well-captured locales of Bhopal. As for Bhopal, it’s nice to see that the city is fast becoming a hub for film shoots (Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi, Raajneeti and Aarakshan were also shot in Bhopal).
Rumy Jafry and Mumukshu Mudgal’s story-screenplay-dialogue works well, but only in places. Dialogues were witty, story was just great but it’s the screenplay that could have been better. Same goes for Rumy Jafry’s direction, especially when he had given a fine entertainer like Life Partner. Hope he gets back on track with his next film!
Some of the good scenes of the film:
Kushwaha’s entry
Bharat meets Chunnu Farishta
Bharat persuades Bacchu Gulkand to visit the court
Bharat’s scooter gets stolen
The intermission point
Bharat’s water pump stolen
The last 20 minutes
On the whole, Gali Gali Chor Hai rests on an interesting premise but the incoherent script and direction makes it an average affair. The film has opened on a poor note at the box office and doesn’t have much chance to excel. No harm in skipping this film and instead waiting for its TV/DVD release.
My rating-** ½
