KHATTA MEETHA - All Reviews here.

KHATTA MEETHA raises a finger at the corruption in government establishments, but what it tries to say, or expose, has been witnessed over and over again. In fact, it's the writing -- sorry, the absence of it -- that makes matters worse. The beginning is good, the middle falters and the end is exasperating.

Final word? This one's far from being meetha. It's a khatta experience!

Struggling road construction contractor Sachin Tichkule [Akshay Kumar] is doomed. There is no chance that his dreams will ever come true, simply because he has no money to bribe. To make matters worse, the new Municipal Commissioner turns out to be his ex girl friend [Trisha], who now hates him.

The film reveals the extent of corruption and bribery rampant in the system and the ingenious means you have to adopt if you want to survive in today's times.

KHATTA MEETHA attempts to say a lot many things in those 2.40 hours. Oh yes, its running time is a problem, more so because the narrative lacks the power to keep you hooked to the proceedings. Okay, coming back to what I wanted to say, KHATTA MEETHA is more of a collage of isolated incidents encompassed in those 2.40 hours. The collapse of the bridge, the consequent murder of Tinnu Anand, the constant bickering in the house, the tu-tu-main-main between Akshay and Trisha, the sister's track, the corrupt netas and government babus, the payment issue of workers... several sequences are a repeat of what's you watched barely minutes ago or an hour ago.

While the romantic track is the weakest link [half-baked; the songs are forced down your throats, without valid situations whatsoever], the flashback portions, depicting Akshay Kumar as a college student [!!!], is just hard to digest. Even the end is worn out and doesn't give the feel of contentment that one expects at the conclusion of a film.

Priyadarshan's handling of the comic sequences is noteworthy, especially in the first half of the film. The repair-and-paint sequence at Asrani's mansion is sure to bring the house down. Ditto for the conversation that Asrani has with multiple people, in person and also on phone. Also, the road roller sequence is a laugh-riot and prior to that Johny Lever's sequence of repairing the road roller is truly funny. But a few isolated sequences aren't enough. The veteran storyteller ought to know the importance of a watertight screenplay by now.

Cinematographer V. Manikandan's lens captures the exteriors with flourish. Pritam's music is easy on the ears and at least two songs are extremely popular as well, but the placement of songs in the narrative acts as a roadblock. Dialogues are funny at times, especially the one-liners.

Akshay Kumar plays the common man with gusto. He looks his part and more importantly, not once do you feel that he's repeating himself. However, he goes over the top in a few sequences. Trisha carries the Plain Jane look well, but fails as an actress. The fiery attitude, so vital when you're enacting the role of the Municipal Commissioner, is missing. Rajpal Yadav is in terrific form yet again. What a splendid actor!

Urvashi Sharma is awkward. Makrand Deshpande is wasted. Tinnu Anand is hardly there. Even Aroona Irani is sidelined. Kulbhushan Kharbanda is first-rate. Asrani is excellent. Manoj Joshi screams so much. Ditto for Neeraj Vora. Milind Gunaji is okay. The actor playing the role of Urvashi's husband does a good job.

On the whole, KHATTA MEETHA is a major letdown from the accomplished director. It's not a full-blown comedy. It's not a full-scale satire either. Hugely disappointing!

Khatta Meetha - Movie Review

From Indiaforums.

Khatta Meetha is one tasteless fare!

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Trisha Krishnan, Asrani, Aruna Irani, Urvashi Sharma, Johny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Makrand Deshpande

Director: Priyadarshan

Khatta Meetha ' So bland!

Khatte Meetha is a film that attempts to pinch the corrupt bureaucracy of our nation through its protagonist Sachin Tichkule (Akshay Kumar) a completely ruthless cheating scumbag of a contractor.

He lives in a joint family and his world revolves around his younger sister played by Urvashi Sharma. He is booed by the other members of the family for the lack of his contribution (or the absence of it) to the family income. Plus, the meager work he does, he does with full on swindling, so much that he is completely infamous for it in the neighborhood.

During the course of our protagonist's transformation to an honest being, the movie throws light on the way politics; bureaucracy and government join hands to make a fool of the people they are supposed to be serving. A very good message is at the core of the storyline. However, the way the story wavers away from it wildly and extremely is annoying.

The movie is not hilarious except in the sequence Asrani chases Akshay Kumar. The editing is flimsy; where it should've chipped the film shorter it has let it drag. And then there's a scene where Makrand Deshpande's monologue has been abruptly cut! Ridiculously absurd!!

The characters detailing has been beautifully etched and it brings a load of authenticity to the film. However, during the (dream) song sequences the costumes of Trisha are pathetically outdated.

The movie will be enjoyed to an extent by those who are into the flavor of Maharashtra. There's a lot of Marathi spice in the film and the Marathi rap song ' Tujha Nanachi Taang is especially tangy!

A lot of the film is banking on the drama element which is sort of confusing because the promos kind of hint that it's a funny movie with a social film. The drama is shocking and gory and kind of irritating for those who wanted a majorly funny film.

The dialogues are in crisp Hindi with no accent of Marathi. So the insertion of Marathi phrases look forced and fake.

Akshay Kumar's acting is nor impressive neither dull. He just does his job'sort of. Newcomer Trisha Krishnan has not been given a scope at all. She is brilliant in the south films and this movie doesn't exactly come as a proper cross over film for her. Asrani and Aruna Irani are typically themselves. Urvashi Sharma is fresh and gorgeous. Johny Lever proves that he still has a good hold over his business ' of making people laugh; and Rajpal Yadav is rushing to give him a run for his money! Makrand Deshpande is impressive. Priyadarshan's cameo just makes you go ' wha?!

The movie as a whole does not make you happy for spending on its ticket. Such a bummer!

Rating: **