Director: Mrigdeep Singh Lamba
Writer: Vipul Vig
MapsOfIndia.com/MyIndia.in Rating: 3/5
Plot:
Fukrey 3 picks up where the second film left off. In the opening credits, a catchy song recaps the story so far for those who need a quick refresher. The Fukra gang, known for their energetic antics and the owner of the popular Janta Store, now faces financial difficulties and resorting to unconventional means to make ends meet. Meanwhile, Bholi Punjaban (Richa Chadha) is running for the position of Water Resources Minister in an election.
The film introduces a new antagonist, the Water Mafia baddie named Dhingra, who sponsors Bholi’s campaign in exchange for her support in his illegal water-related activities. To garner more support for her campaign, Bholi asks Pandit Ji (Pankaj Tripathi) and the Fukra gang to devise a strategy. However, Hunny (Pulkit Samrat) devises a clever plan and enters the competition with Chooccha (Varun Sharma) as their candidate, quickly gaining public favor by promising to solve water-related issues in Delhi.
As this threatens Bholi’s chances of winning, she hatches a plan to prevent Choocha from campaigning by sending the Fukra gang to South Africa, pretending it’s for a diamond-hunting expedition. In South Africa, the gang stumbles upon a unique ability where Choocha and Hunny can create petrol. This discovery leads to unexpected consequences and a significant twist that intrigues the story.
Performances
Varun Sharma and Pankaj Tripathi shine in Fukrey 3, carrying the film with outstanding performances. Pankaj Tripathi, as usual, is impeccable and keeps the audience engaged with his witty one-liners. Pulkit Samrat, sporting six-pack abs, delivers a convincing performance, while Manjot Singh (Lali Halwai) continues to capture hearts with his innocence and simplicity. In her role as Bholi, Richa aims for a character that’s both stylish and fierce, adding a raw edge to her fiery attitude. These actors are the standout elements in the movie’s performance.
Analysis
Lamba’s comedy franchise attempts to captivate the audience with a narrative filled with memorable moments and clever one-liners. However, it struggles to maintain the original charm of the series as the story becomes overcrowded with various sequences, resulting in a somewhat disjointed experience. The film’s first half shines with its outstanding humor, but the second half encounters some stumbling blocks along the way. Unfortunately, the music in the movie fails to leave a lasting impression, as none of the songs stand out.
Furthermore, because the cast has aged and gained experience, some of the raw appeal in their performances is missing. The standout performance comes from Varun Sharma, who deserves full credit for brilliantly bringing back Choocha’s charm and his signature catchphrase, ‘Deja Chu’. However, the film’s humor and social commentary attempts may only partially meet the audience’s expectations, resulting in a sense of untapped potential.
Verdict
Overall, ‘Fukrey 3’ can be viewed as one of the top entertainers of 2023, delivering a generous dose of laughter, clever humor, and a meaningful social message. The film accomplishes its primary goal for franchise fans: providing ample laughter. However, the convoluted storyline and how events unfold may leave something to be desired. Nonetheless, it’s a decent one-time watch.
