By Goher Iqbal Punn, Film Critic & Entertainment Analyst, Showbiz Bites
Producer: Vishal Bhardwaj and Raman Maroo
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Madhuri Dixit, Arshad Warsi and Huma Qureshi
Music: Vishal Bhardwaj
Rating: [rating=4]
Madhuri Dixit’s comeback vehicle ‘Dedh Ishqiya’ is the year 2014’ first worthwhile film, as last week, the New Year started off with mundane Mr. Joe B. Carvalho and timeless classic Sholay 3D (the 3D format of original 39 years old Sholay). Dedh Ishqiya was the much-awaited film due to many reasons primarily because of being the sequel to 2010’s successful Vishal Bhardwaja’s Ishqiya, Madhuri Dixit and to name a few. Last year was filled with a number of successful movies such as Dhoom 3, Chennai Express, Krrish 3 and few others. Dedh Ishqiya works big time on many fronts – it’s an altogether the splendid and classy entertainer from all aspects. The film is s worth watch. The old world charm attached to the film mesmerizes you in full. The movie has a magic that hits you from tip to toe. The best thing about the movie is that it is memorably rich meaning that you take it back home and would love to cherish it in your isolation.
Making sequels to victorious originals is a trend in Bollywood that has been gaining momentum since long time. It works high and this is because it catches the rhythm every time the sequels are made. We have witnessed that often the sequels work at the box office, this is because special care is given to them when made, as the original’s success is attached to them. There have been occasions when the sequel fell flat, but they are very less.
Talking about Abhishek Chaubey’s directed venture ‘Dedh Ishqiya’, the film’s enthralling and magical feel with its gripping storyline, luminous direction and power packed performances allures the hearts. The moment it starts till the last frame, you cannot take your eyes off the screen. This is the brilliance of the film and powerful plot.
Abhishek Chaubey’s directorial debut Ishqiya has caught the attention of the moviegoers with the film’s distinctively created characters like Khalujaan and Babban. The story caught the eyeballs and the film succeeded in getting the attention of the cine aficionados due to power-packed performances, characterization and music. The songs like Ibne Batoota and Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji topped the charts. This time round, Abhishek came up with retaining the two main leads – Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi. But he replaced Vidya Balan with Madhuri Dixit and introduced a new character – Huma Qureshi. The narrative is changed as well though it seems to be walking on the original’s storyline. But in totality, the script carries new elements to catch the viewers’ eyes. The first installment (original) carries the story of love triangle – two men falling in love with same woman. But Dedh Ishqiya has two love stories running parallel. Khalujaan falls in love with Begum Para (Madhuri Dixit) and Babban loses his heart to her confidant Muniya (Huma Qureshi). Chaubey’s Dedh Ishqiya takes you in the world where the viewers find love and treachery. The story gets you glued to the screen.
The film talks about Begum Para (Madhuri Dixit) of Mahmudabad who hosts a festival of poetry and music at her palace. Khalujaan (Naseeruddin Shah) comes up pretending to be a Nawab of Chandpur to take part in this festival with his poetic works. Khalu has to impress the Begum with his poetic genius so that he can marry her, as this widowed is seeking a man for her who should preferably be a poet. Babban comes to Mahmudabad to get Khalujaan back, but when he bumps into Muniya (Huma Qureshi), the confidant of Begum Para, he changes his plan and stays there with Khalujaan. Both the ladies have secretive plans.
The script is simply magical and powerful that it acts as a true life of the film. Abhishek’s Ishqiya was rustic and raunchy and this one offers you various flavors to enjoy with such as you find Shudh (pure) Urdu’s usage, Urdu poetry and music in this narrative. There are hardly any flaws in the script. It’s very carefully and intelligently written work of writing. The characters slip into traitorous game alluring you fully. Chaubey does not give you a moment to even take the eyes off the screen. Abhishek Chaubey and Vishal Bhardwaj write the script and they deserve distinction marks for writing such a fabulous and intelligent narrative.
Direction is simply awesome. When you find yourself fully glued to the screen and do not want to detach from it, this means the direction has magnetic values. Abhishek Chaubey deserves brawny points for his splendid execution. Music is composed by Vishal Bhardwaj. Well, this time around, music lacks the oomph factor. Although one or two tracks work well, but the overall soundtrack lacks energy to steal the hearts. Dialogues by Vishal are superlative. Cinematography by Setu is magnum opus, as it displays the old world charm skillfully and creatively. Editing is fine.
Naseeruudin Shah once again delivers his brilliant acting prowess very skillfully. He is a legendary actor of Bollywood industry. He is like an institution of acting. He always drags you off your feet with his dexterity and the same he does with Dedh Ishqiya. Arshad Warsi is magical with his mind boggling acting. He loots the hearts like he did in Ishqiya. Madhuri Dixit impresses with her luminous work. She is a class always and shows off her experience supremely. Huma Qureshi is wonderful. Vijay Raaz is brilliant as usual. Salman Shahid is fantastic in a cameo. Rest of the cast too does well with their respective characters.
Final Verdict:
On the whole, Dedh Ishqiya is a masterpiece. The magic of the movie will stay with the viewers for a long time. With flawless script, power-packed performances and gripping storyline, Dedh Ishqiya is a MUST-WATCH. Highly Recommended.
Also read A Look at Dedh Ishqiya (special feature), Dedh Ishqiya box office prediction report with analysis and check out Dedh Ishqiya Picture Gallery. There are also other interesting stories on the website like Yaariyan box office prediction with analysis, Dhoom 3 20th day collections and Bipasha Basu hot pictures in bikini.