Humshakals

Reviewed by: Dare Devil Kid (DDK)

Rating: 1.5/5 stars

Sajid Khan completely botches up what had the potential to be a rib- tickling situational comedy of errors. With premise reeking of comedy gold, on his hands, and with a trio of multi-talented male actors boasting of impeccable comic typing, only a complete twit could have ruined this movie. And what's more surprising is that Sajid Khan has been known to entertain audiences with his no-brainer, madcap, situational comedies. But, since "Himmatwala", he seems to have completely lost his mojo, or maybe he just had a limited supply of mojo that has now been exhausted over the course of his first three, laugh- out-loud, humorous adventures. In fact, there are several scenes reminiscent of his initial three hits, which seem to be mutilated into something else. The jokes fall flat, the gags are tiresome, and the exceedingly sparse amount of buildups that start out as funny, quickly swerve into painful territory because of Khan's hackneyed direction.

It's criminal that the Director has completely wasted three powerhouse performers in the form of Saif Ali Khan, Ritesh Deshmukh, and Ram Kapoor, and despite their umpteen attempts, the three talents simply cannot salvage the crumbling ruins around them. Even more shameful is the fact that Khan seems to explore new territories where he can turn his actors into mere caricatures of themselves – scenes where Saif and Ritesh act up as insane canines and Ram Kapoor masquerading as a woman are unbearable to the point of being cringe-worthy. Heck, he even dresses up Ram Kapoor in a one-piece bikini! Which normal human being with his senses in the right place would ever do that? It's not just moronic, it's unethical! The less said about how the actresses are blatantly underutilized through the slipshod, inane proceedings, the better.

"Humshakals" seems to have rung the death knell on Sajid Khan's directing career, and only a miracle would seem him emerge from the ashes he has smoldered himself into. On a parting note, there a scene in the movie where Satish Shah, who plays the totalitarian warden of an asylum ward (Shah takes pride and displays an overt love for some of history's most notorious dictators such as Hitler, Saddam, Amin, and Gadaffi – one instance among the film's many tasteless and insensitive jokes), tortures dissenting inmates by forcefully making them sit through a copy of Sajid Khan's own "Himmatwala". Well, suffice to say, Khan has even outdone himself this time as far as competing from behind goes.

Yes you read it right! Actually i can sum up the whole review in just 3 words - WASTE OF TIME, but since I have to reach the maximum of 10 lines i will just have to continue. Well who doesn't know nowadays what Sajid Khan is incapable of so I don't think there is much needed about the direction part. Music is 'not music' to the ears. Performance wise - just forget it. All in all this is a movie which you should avoid even if it comes on TV without ads, because if you spend those 2+ hours staring at the ceiling will be better. The movie falls flat in almost all aspects. Well not almost it does fall flat in all aspects! A note to Sajid Khan - Please do not make any more movies coz we are better without such torture in the name of Indian Cinema.

Imagine ... and I mean try to 'visualize' what you are going to read next... "After having watched this movie in a cinema-hall, while on your way back (from it), a mad dog crosses your path. wait ... make it more ... let us say, three mad dogs. You are terrified, assuming that the dogs might bite you but. Somehow those dogs know that you have seen 'Humshakals' and that too in a 'hall'. So, instead of biting you they'll all bow down in front of you showing utter respect to the courage you exhibited!" ... I think you got the point. Why did these actors work in this movie. Why?? Certain scenes are quite funny but overall this movie is s**t.

I watched this movie on Friday, first day first show and have lot of expectation from it, but after watching this movie i had a headache and there was nothing to laugh in the film, there was clueless comedy which doesn't make you laugh and that's why lot of people from cinema ran out from the middle of the film, I also thought to do the same, but hoping that may be this film will have something in the middle or end, but i am extremely disappointed that why i have not left the film and saved my time. This film shows that Sajid Khan didn't learn any lesson from the failure of HimmatWala and yet another Flop film is given by him. If you watch this movie you will waste your time, energy and as well as money. At some of the scenes you will laugh on Saif Ali Khan and Ritesh Dekhmukh comedy, but there are lot of repetition of one comic scene that lay down the movie.

Fresh from one of the biggest debacle in Indian cinema, Sajid Khan presents to you his tried and tested formula of brainless comedy. It is conspicuous that Sajid tries hard to tickle the funny bones of the audience. He doesn't shy away from using his own formula of confusion, using clichéd homosexual gags, imitation of actors, making fun of his own films and even copying scenes from movie such as scary movie which itself is a parody and not considered a classic by any standard. The movie is a no brain-er and in the starting half an hour makes you wonder whether it was meant only for kindergarten children. The plot has hardly anything to discuss, songs act as a loo break, acting flawed at some places and technical part, well let's say it was never a forte of Sajid.

But all faults apart though the movie totally departs from the established logic of world we see, it performs well in what it was meant to i.e evoke laughs. Yes the movie in parts do evoke laughs (even if its on the sheer stupidity of the movie )and the best part being it never takes itself too seriously so you could just join in the fun without straining your brain. Acting wise Ritesh has done many such roles so he seemed very natural, Ram Kapoor shows how good an actor he is by handling those cheeky scenes, Saif tries hard but frankly some scenes were not meant for him ,actresses hardly had anything to do but Tamanna shows potential. Overall if you are a movie buff and have been waiting for a movie this movie drought season this might bring you some respite, if you keep your brain at home also this is worth a watch if you want to enjoy a clean comedy with family, especially kids. If you are not a fan of Sajid Khan,Saif Ali or brainless comedy this one is definitely not for you.