Director: Ashwni Dhir
Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Kharbanda, Paresh Rawal, Tanvi Azmi and Sanjay Mishra
Looks like Ashwni Dhir is living in the stone age when farts used to pass off for humour. Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali had already set a benchmark when it comes to that in his 1999 blockbuster Hum Dil Chuke Sanam. Guest Iin London is the second instalment of the franchise which is absolutely not a laugh riot. The first, Athithi Tum Kab Jaoge that was released in 2010 brought laughter because of its fresh concept but Guest Iin London looks repetitive and how!
Aaryan (Kartik Aaryan) marries Anaya (Kriti Kharbanda) to get a permanent visa in London as Anaya is a British citizen. Their lives changes upside down when Aaryan’s Chacha (Paresh Rawal) and Chachi (Tanvi Azmi) come to stay with them without a prior notice. And what happens next is what you have seen in Athithi Tum Kab Jaoge. With a slight change in the situations, the film has nothing new to offer.
Ashwni Dhir seems too old fashion when it comes to making a comedy film. One Two Three, Son of Sardar are few examples. Though Athithi Tum Kab Jaoge worked because of its unique concept for its time, making yet another film on the same lines isn’t worth spending 200-300 bucks on. Shoojit Sircar beautifully portrayed ‘toilet’ humour in ‘Piku’ but Paresh Rawal’s silly, incessant fart jokes at length makes Guest Iin London a terrible watch. His farts are more prominent than the background score of the film. To add to the damage, director not only troubles with the repetitiveness but also a wholesome parody on it. What was he assuming while making the film?
The film also highlights the Kashmir issues and the infamous 9/11 incident, but to no avail. The film should have been titled as Fart In London. Also, the climax is technically screwed with awful VFX. Ajay Devgn’s special appearance will remind you of the atrocity that his role was in Tarzan: The Wonder Car.
The only saving grace of the film is Kartik Aaryan’s performance. His comic timing is far much better than a lot of young actors. But again he has been doing comedies so far so might be it’s his comfort zone. Unless he won’t explore a genre beyond comedy, his acting calibre isn’t worth talking. One film old Kriti Kharbanda looks pretty and stylish. She is pleasant enough to charm you in this not so funny film. Paresh Rawal and Tanvi Azmi are good in their acts but Paresh annoys with his fat humour till the last frame. Sanjay Mishra looks forceful.
Overall, Guest Iin London is avoidable but if in case you don’t get tickets for Mom, you can dare to watch this one but be ready to experience unsolicited farts for 138 minutes.
