Judwaa 2
(U/A) 150 min
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Taapsee Pannu, Anupam Kher
Director: David Dhawan
Rating: 3 star
David Dhawan’s potboilers ruled the ’90s. A series of Govinda and Salman Khan films created a storm for over a decade. Logic has never been a pivotal part of David Dhawan films and it’s no different in Judwaa 2, that features his own son and popular actor Varun Dhawan, who pulls this double role with so much ease. Judwaa, that released in 1997, became a huge hit back then for the obvious reasons of Salman Khan’s double role, perfect comic timing and the peppy music. However, Judwaa 2 is an absolute reboot of the first one, but it is ridiculously entertaining.
Rajeev Malhotra (Sachin Khedekar) and Ankita (Prachi Shah Pandya) give birth to twins — Prem (Varun Dhawan) and Raja (Varun Dhawan) — but unfortunately, a local goon, Charles, run off with a new born Raja, escaping the cops. He leaves him on the railway tracks and vanishes. A Maharashtrian woman finds Raja and decides to raise him. Raja is bold, fearless and violent. He is living his life with his brother Nandu (Rajpal Yadav) after his mother dies.
Twenty years later, Prem goes to a music college in London and meets Samara (Taapsee Pannu) and she falls for him. Elsewhere, Raja locks horns with Charles’ son and has to leave India. He too ends up going to London with Nandu. While on his way, Raja meets the gorgeous Alishka (Jacqueline Fernandez) and gives his heart to her. Incidentally, both Prem and Raja are in London. Their lives change upside down when Charles’ son mistakenly chases Prem instead of Raja and Raja was mistaken as Prem by Alishka. Will Prem succeeds in proving himself innocent and will Raja hit off Charles’ petty intentions?
Director David Dhawan directed Judwaa with the same producer Sajid Nadiadwala 20 years ago and the film was a massive hit. When the makers announced Judwaa 2, not many people were happy of this since they were too sceptical about remaking a comedy cult in 2017. The original version featured Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor and Rambha in the lead roles. In the times, when audiences have changed, David Dhawan took a big risk in remaking Judwaa. However, he has made a potboiler that has a potential to hold you hooked till the climax. The reviewer also feels that being too critical towards such brainless comedies is not apt. One should not expect logic or a plot when the film was marketed as a commercial entertainer. Judwaa 2 is strictly for Varun Dhawan fans and a perfect stress buster for families this weekend. With Salman Khan’s cameo, foot tapping music, Judwaa 2 can be easily watched. This time, David shoots in London extensively which makes the scale of the film grand.
Recreating Oonchi Hai Building and Tan Tana Tan songs was a huge risk for the makers. With a slight change in their lyrics and added beats, the songs will surely catch your attention with the lead cast dancing to them.
Varun Dhawan is definitely a reigning star. Not even for a second will you miss Salman on screen. His shyness as Prem and flamboyance as Raja are too good. He yet again proves that he has the potential to overshadow Salman or Govinda for that matter in the current generation. He dances well and mimics almost everyone in the industry so damn well in the film. His action sequences are whistle worthy. He portrays two different roles with so much conviction, specially when he knew that people will compare him with Salman. He emerges as a winner.
Taapsee Pannu, who plays the role of Rambha in this one, is not so appealing. She is quite a misfit for this role. Maybe her previous roles in serious contexts make her look out of place in a glamourous role. She tries too hard to look hot.
Jacqueline Fernandez is piping hot in the role of Karisma Kapoor. She does her part well as a blonde diva. She is effortlessly beautiful in the film and no one could have done this role better. She has some kind of notoriousness in her which suited this role.
Anupam Kher, Johny Lever, Atul Parchure and Rajpal Yadav are good as comic fillers.
Judwaa 2 might be your perfect weekend getaway, but don’t expect a great story or logic in the film. Just go and have a ball with your family over this long weekend.
