Mubarakan Movie Review – Congratulations! Another Cliched Comedy That Tries Too Hard

Mubarakan Movie Review

 

mubarkanCast – Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Ileana D’Cruz, Athiya Shetty, Ratna Pathak Shah, Pavan Malhotra, Neha Sharma

  • Directed by – Anees Bazmee
  • Produced by – Ashwin Varde, Murad Khetani, Suvidesh Shingade
  • Written by – Rajesh Chawla
  • Screenplay by – Balwinder Singh Janjua, Gurmmeet Singh
  • Story by – Balwinder Singh Janjua, Rupinder Chahal
  • Background Score –  Amar Mohile
  • Cinematography – Himman Dhamija
  • Edited by – Rameshwar S. Bhagat
  • Production house – Cine1 Studios, Mark Production
  • Running time – 2 hours 36 minutes

Mubarakan continues on the lies of Anees Bazmee’s earlier situational comedies such as No Entry, Welcome, Singh Is Kinng, No Problem, Ready, and Welcome Back. The signature slapstick humour of this film, however, is not one that will keep you glued to you seat or have you in splits.

Plot

Twin brothers Karan and Charan (both played by Arjun Kapoor) are adopted by their paternal aunt Jeeto (Ratna Pathak Shah) and paternal uncle Baldev (Pavan Malhotra) respectively after their parents die in a car crash. While Karan grows up in London to be a suave and stylish young man, Charan grows up in Chandigarh as a shy and introverted boy. Kartar Singh (Anil Kapoor) their other uncle gets involved in their love lives when Karan’s girlfriend Sweety Gill (Ileana D’Cruz) is betrothed to Charan. Charan, initially assumed to be in love with Nafisa Quereshi (Neha Sharma) later discovers his affection for Binkle (Athiya Shetty) who ends up as Karan’s fiancée. Nafisa too later falls in love with Binkle’s brother Manpreet (Karan Kundra). The comedy of errors turns a turn for the worse with the families falling apart in all this confusion and it ultimately becomes Uncle Kartar’s mess to sort out before the two brothers go through their nuptials in a London Gurdwara.

Performances

Mubarakan is a light comedy and as such none of the actors have exceptionally heavy character roles to carry out.

Arjun Kapoor impresses with his vastly varied portrayal of Karan and Charan, the twins. He also seems to have honed his dancing skills to perfection. Nothing extraordinary, though. Ileana D’Cruz portrays a spunky young girl and is immensely likable while Athiya Shetty remains an average performer.

Anil Kapoor as Kartar Singh stands out as one of the two highlights of Mubarakan. His portrayal of a witty, funny Sardar is not new to us and it is a character we have quite come to love by now.

The other highlight of the film is Ratna Pathak Shah. Her role as the repressed Buaji in Lipstick Under My Burkha (which was released last Friday) is still on top of our minds and her transformation to the London-based Punjabi matriarch, Jeeto, is an astounding one. It only attests to Ratna Pathak’s versatility as an actress. Pavan Malhotra too proves he is a seasoned actor in his short but juicy role.

Music Review

Very average fare; it does look likely, though, that the Goggle song will make it to the discotheques and dance parties this year.  Mubarakan’s music is certainly not exciting for a Punjab-themed comedy.

  • Track – “Mubarakan (Title Track)”

Music – Rishi Rich, R.D. Burman

Singers – Juggy D, Yash Narvekar, Badshah, Sukriti Kakar,

 

  • Track – “The Goggle Song”

Music – Amaal Mallik

Singers – Sonu Nigam, Armaan Malik, Amaal Mallik, Tulsi Kumar, Neeti Mohan

 

  • Track – “Jatt Jaguar”

Music – Amaal Mallik

Singers – Vishal Dadlani, Navraj Hans, Apeksha Dandekar

 

The following three tracks were composed by Gourov Roshin.

  • Track – “Dil Dhadke Louder Louder”

Singers – Rinku Giri, Puja Basnet

 

  • Track – “Haathon Mein Thhe Haath”

Singers – Papon, Altamash Faridi, Aditi Singh Sharma, Arpita Mukherjee

 

  • Track – “Hawa Hawa”

Singers – Mika Singh, Prakriti Kakar

Lyrics – Kumaar

Music Rights – T-Series

What’s Good, What’s Bad?

Mubarakan is a comedy with a few well timed laughs. The cinematography is excellent and Himman Damija has successfully captured the best both London and Chandigarh. Anil Kapoor, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Pavan Malhotra have excellent screen presence. But that is about all that is good in the movie.

The humour is trite and the plot very predictable. You may laugh quite a few times through the 156 minutes but Mubarakan is certainly not one of those films that you’ll carry home with you. The film tends to drag and you tend to glance at the watch all too often.

Our Verdict

Mubarakan is not a movie to spend your money and time at the cinemas. Unless senseless comedy and some eye candy is your thing. It is one of those numerous comedies that make for a good watch with family and kids (and pets) when it airs on television. But if you’re a die-hard Anil Kapoor fan or would love a double dose of Arjun Kapoor’s enviable physique on the silver screen then “Mubarakan!”

Rating – 2 ½ *

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