Bhagam Bhag Previews

Bhagam Bhag another laugh riot produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd and Popkorn Motion Pictures Private Limited, and is directed by Humor king Priyadarshan. Staring: Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Jackie Shroff, Sunil Shetty, Lara Dutta, Paresh Rawal, Manoj Bajpai, Tanushree Dutta, Rajpal Yadav, Shakti Kapoor , Rajpal Yadav, Maushumi Udeshi, Sharat Saxena, Asrani, Arbaaz Khan, Manoj Joshi.
The story goes as follows.

Akshay Kumar and Govinda will be teaming up for the first time in Priyadarshan's comedy flick Bhagam Bhag which also stars Lara Dutta and Paresh Rawal. The movie is about a theatrical group from India who has to perform in London. Akshay and Govinda along with others are actors in the group. Both are very naughty natured guys who never miss any chance to flirt with girls, ever the girls in the group. At the airport, the heroine of the play, who is fed up of Akshay and Govinda, fails to turn up. So once in London, they have to look for a new heroine. Thereafter, they find a girl (Lara Dutta), who suffers from amnesia to act in their drama and just as Akshay and Lara fall in love, her memory returns and it brings chaos into their lives, including a murdered husband! Govinda and Akshay fall also falls into trouble involving a drug baron and other mishaps. From here the story lead to the climax in which a major conspiracy gets exposed and finally these three innocent guys are set free.

This movie is the other side of the story, an honest cop standing of a crossroad of a dilemma to take a risk. His job itself is a tough risk and doing it honestly a tougher job. It's a movie with a very strong character and hard-hitting story, which conveys a message and not the motives. Risk salutes the courage of those honest officers who are strangled in this system and still doing their duty in true sense not for the name or fame.

With comedy kings like Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar and Rajpal Yadav, this one is likely to tickle the funny bone. The film is slated to release in 22^nd December.

Sanjay Dutt will make a guest appearance in the film...

cantt wait to watch ittt

thankssss 😛

😳 Heylooo...
Well I went to see Bhagam Bhag last night...and I thought it was a tp movie 😉 ...funny although the second half isnt as funny...and the climax is too unrealistic ...but on the whole...3/5...and there was no Sanjay Dutt 😕

Bhagam Bhag Movie Review

Priyadarshan has attempted varied genres over the years. His body of work includes some thought-provoking films as well as films that defy logic but nonetheless cater to the hoi polloi. Of late, the supremely talented storyteller has trained his sights on one particular genre -- comedy.

BHAGAM BHAG, his new outing, charters a similar path. At least that's the impression you get when you look at its qualitative promos. After a breezy first half, you realize that there's more to BHAGAM BHAG. It's not just a comic fare. It transforms into a murder mystery.

Nothing wrong if Priyan packs two diverse genres in one film, but the problem is that the comedy works and the whodunit doesn't!

Write your own movie review of Bhagam Bhag

Let's examine the two halves of BHAGAM BHAG minutely. Analysis of Part 1 first:

Lock your brains and throw the key in the sea as the curtains go up and BHAGAM BHAG unfolds. Remember, don't look for logic, don't ask questions.

• The escapades of Akshay-Govinda-Paresh are truly entertaining. In fact, howlarious at times. A number of comic scenes are the mainstay of the enterprise. The first half, to put it rightly, is paisa vasool entertainment!

Now an analysis of Part 2 [post-interval portions]:

The whodunit takes off very well at the intermission point. But as the mystery deepens and the three suspects [Akshay, Govinda, Paresh] start running helter-skelter, trying to put pieces of the jigsaw puzzle meticulously, the sequence of events that lead to the finale aren't convincing and captivating.

• The climax is the biggest culprit. The identity of the murderer and the motive behind the murder should come as a shock if the whodunit has to have a solid impact. In BHAGAM BHAG, the end result is not as impactful.

To sum up, BHAGAM BHAG may not be Priyadarshan's finest effort in this genre, but it provides ample laughter and entertainment in the final tally. Had the second hour been as captivating as the first, it would've been a different story altogether!

Champak [Paresh Rawal] has a theatre group in India and he performs shows all over the country. Bunty [Akshay] and Babla [Govinda] along with others are actors in the group. Both are naughty-natured guys who never miss a chance to flirt with girls, even with girls in the group.

At the completion of one show, an organizer [Asrani] offers Champak's group to perform shows in England. Unfortunately, the heroine of the play [Tanushree Dutta] opts out due to Bunty's misbehavior.

They reach London and through Gullu [Rajpal], a taxi driver, Bunty and Babla try to find a girl for their play, but it leads to many misunderstandings. In this process, Bunty and Babla fall into trouble involving a drug baron [Manoj Joshi].

Thereafter, Bunty and Gullu discover a girl Minni [Lara Dutta], who suffers from amnesia, to act in their drama and just as Bunty and Minni fall in love, she regains her memory and reveals that she's married to a U.K.-based entrepreneur [Arbaaz Khan].

Comedy is serious business and Priyadarshan has explored this genre with flourish. In BHAGAM BHAG, there are ample moments that tickle your funny bone. But it's the writing in the second hour [screenplay: Neeraj Vora] that acts as a spoilsport.

The Shakti Kapoor-Rajpal Yadav track raises a few laughs in the first hour, but stands out like a sore thumb in the next hour. Ditto for the drug baron [Manoj Joshi] and his sidekick [Sharat Saxena]. It hardly evokes mirth!

• The murder mystery is just not convincing. The Arbaaz-Lara-Jackie tracks are poorly etched out. And as pointed out at the outset, the climax -- very similar to the one in David Dhawan's SHAADI NO. 1 -- manages a chuckle, but is far from being hilarious.

Given the fact that Priyadarshan is saddled with an ordinary screenplay, there's not much he can do to elevate the goings-on. Yet, there's no denying that his handling of the comic scenes is superb. Pritam's music is strictly okay. 'Signal' is the best track of the enterprise, while 'Afreen' appeals more due to its choreography and the colorful set [Sabu Cyril] than its tune. The music composer is just not in form here. Jeeva's cinematography is topnotch. Dialogues [Neeraj Vora] are excellent. Vora knows where to give the right punches!

Akshay does his part well, but why is the actor getting typecast in similar roles? Compare his character in DEEWANE HUYE PAAGAL, GARAM MASALA and PHIR HERA PHERI with the one in BHAGAM BHAG and it's the same Akshay in all the films. Hello Mr. Kumar, why this act of monotony?

Govinda doesn't get it right in his comeback vehicle. Known for his impeccable sense of timing vis--vis comic films, he's just not in form this time around. Also, he's looking older and obese in the film. Paresh Rawal is competent, while Rajpal Yadav is superb, but is sidelined in the second hour.

Lara Dutta lacks the talent to carry off a challenging role. She looks pretty, that's it! Jackie Shroff is mechanical. Arbaaz Khan doesn't get much scope. Shakti Kapoor is in true form. Asrani, Sharat Saxena, Manoj Joshi, Razzaq Khan and Amita Nangia are okay. Tanushree Dutta looks glamorous in the 'Signal' track.

On the whole, BHAGAM BHAG will be loved for its comedy in the first hour, but the whodunit in the second hour tapers the impact. At the box-office, the pre-release hype will ensure a bountiful first four days [Monday is Christmas, making it a 4-day weekend], thereby adding to the booty. Even otherwise, the holiday period in the coming days and lack of a mass-appealing entertainer since DHOOM 2 will benefit BHAGAM BHAG, making the film a safe bet for its distributors.

'Bhagam Bhaag' A Good Timepass

By Nikhil Kumar
Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com



It is certainly not the best of Priyadarshan. But 'Bhagam Bhag' still makes for an entertaining watch. The film's crazy plot, filled with comic chaos and confusion, is its main USP. On top of it, Akshay Kumar shows his impeccable flair for comedy.

The basic formula of 'Bhagam Bhag' is the same as any other Priyadarshan movie. The story's central characters try to outsmart each other, but wind up in a situation where they are hunted by a number of other over-the-top characters. There are mistaken identities, a murder, an underhand plot, chaos and commotion.

Bunty (Akshay Kumar) and Babla (Govinda) are the two main actors in a dance troupe run by Champak Seth (Paresh Rawal). The two actors can't keeps their eyes and hands off their heroine Anjali (Tanushree Dutta), who, tired of their Casanova ways, eventually quits the group just when they are about to leave for an important show in London.

In London, Bunty and Babla search dedicatedly for a new heroine, but end up in police custody after a drug dealer gives them Heroin, in stead.

After being let off, Bunty meets a strange girl with suicidal tendencies. The girl is Munni (Lara Dutta). He decides to cast her as his heroine in the show. Bunty also falls in love with her.

But Munni meets with an accident and recovers her lost memory. It turns out that she is Nisha and is already married to someone called Vikram (Arbaaz Khan).

In the subsequent reels, Nisha apparently commits suicide and Vikram is murdered. And Bunty, Babla and Champak Seth are the prime suspects.

Kitschy slapstick is cocktailed with genuine humour in a delectable way in 'Bhagam Bhag'. Besides the main players, a number of side characters provide ample moments of comic relief : be it Rajpal Yadav as the taxi driver, or Shakti Kapoor as the drunk with very short memory, or Sharat Saxena and his boss as the bird-brained drug dealers.

But none matches the superb comic timing of Akshay Kumar. The actor is relentlessly getting better and better at comedy. Right from the first scene when he prods Govinda into telling about the hot moment shared with actress (Tanushree), to the second half when he speaks in broken English with an air travel company executive, Akshay is simply superlative. He is the reason you can watch this movie.

Surprisingly, Govinda is restrained throughout the film. Save for one or two scenes, he is strictly okay. Even Paresh Rawal fails to offer much to laugh at. In comparison, Shakti Kapoor and Rajpal Yadav have some better lines.

Lara Dutta plays her part well. Jackie Shroff as the London cop is effective. Arbaaz Khan, too, is okay.

All said, 'Bhagam Bhag' is a good timepass flick. It offers nothing outstanding or extraordinary. It entertains you for three hours and leaves you with smiles.

http://www.apunkachoice.com/movies/mov707/bhagam_bhaag-revie w.html

Movie Review: Bhagam Bhag

by Debtaru De



Rib-tickling Comedy: This is the most dynamic combination ever on the Indian screen. The most rib tickling comedy Akshay can do with Govinda (he comes after a long period), has undoubtedly been one of the best laugh-inducers in Bollywood.

Now, combine these two super-comic-stars, add the dynamite of comedy Paresh Rawal and ignite this combination with the spark of Priyadarshan.

Priyadarshan's 'Bhagam Bhag' is about the hilarious trials and tribulations.

Akshay aka Bunty and Govinda aka Babla together go through as theatre artists with Champak Chaturvedi aka Paresh Rawal's theatre group. This is the most awaited comedy of the end of the year so far.

A laughathon, which involves the comic trio running around from pillar to post trying to avoid unexpected and funny situations, only to find themselves getting deeper into trouble. This movie is Produced under so many banners.

Plot: The story goes in this fashion: Paresh Rawal has a theatre group in India and he performs all over the country. Akshay and Govinda along with others are actors in the group.



Both are very naughty natured people who never miss any chance to flirt with girls, even the girls in the group. At the completion of one show, an organizer offers Paresh's group to perform 30 shows in England.

They all get very excited but as per the contract, they need to leave for England on the same day. Unfortunately, the heroine of the play opts out due to Akshay's misbehavior.

They reach London and through Rajpal, a taxi driver, Govinda and Akshay try to find out a girl for their play but it leads to many misunderstandings and a series of funny sequences.

In this process, Govinda and Akshay fall into trouble involving a drug baron and other mishaps. Thereafter, the trio discovers a girl (Lara Dutta), who suffers from amnesia to act in their drama and just as Akshay and Lara fall in love.

Her memory returns and it brings chaos into their lives, including a murdered husband. From here, the story leads to its climax in which a major conspiracy gets exposed.



Trailer: You first see Paresh Rawal dressed like a blue colored butterfly that shouts out 'darwaza khul gaya re!' and he runs for his life.

You then see Akshay Kumar who is trying to strangle someone but maybe gets attacked himself as you can see him make weird expressions. Govinda is running in a train and gets shocked as he sees some person and runs back.

The trailer opens with the trumpet music that alarms the audience to get ready for the biggest chaos onscreen. The visual says 'now showing' with two masks on the sides, which are symbolic of the theatre background to the story.

You then see a slide that says 'what can be more fun?' followed by an empty theatre stage. The line continues 'than a theatre on the run'. Now the casts of the film make their entry.

Music: First number is 'Tere Bin'. This Kunal Ganjawala & Sunidhi Chauhan song which is paced almost as a nursery rhyme and though the impact is mostly harmless due to melody holding center stage.



Third version of the song comes as 'Tere Bin – Reprised' and surprisingly turns out to be the best of the lot since it has a softer feel to it while bringing vocals to the fore. Shreya Ghoshal roped in who only sounds better.

Remo Fernandes sign the song 'Signal', which is a carnival like beginning and elaborate arrangements. It is going to be lot of 'masti' n 'dhamaal'.

The cast turns out to be 'hot-n-ready-to-serve' catchy track that has fun written all over it.

A trademark Pritam tune in the form of 'Aa Khushi Se'. A little bit of 'Ada' with a dash of 'Teri Aankhen Garam Masala', this item number has Sunidhi Chauhan going full throttle with her melodious rendition.

A situational number which again has some elements of 'Ada', title track 'Bhagam Bhag' seems to be designed for appearing as a part of the background score. Crooned by Neraj Sridhar ['Bombay Vikings' fame].

Pritam's 'Afreen' is certainly different as he ropes in KK and Sunidhi Chauhan to croon along an extremely-high-on-arrangements song that has zero Middle East flavor to it.



'Chal Ud Chale', Jojo & Sohail Kaul bring in a lot of energy into this fast paced song. It turns out to be ordinary & it is left to the arrangements factor to give the song some chance to at least look good on screen if pasteurized well.

Box Office: 'Bhagam Bhag' opens anything less than 18-20 crores at the box office. The film has been hyped beyond expectations and the only film that is being talked about today.

None of Priyadarshan movies in the past [not even his biggest success 'Garam Masala'] has created such a pre-release buzz in the past and one pines a lot of hopes on this Akshay – Govinda - Paresh starrer.

It would be a disappointment if the film doesn't take a flier of a start [which it should in all probability]. The sole release factor only helps!

Movie: Bhagam Bhag, English
Translation: Helter Skelter, Genre: Comedy,
Shooting: London (UK), India,
Cassettes+CD's: T-Series,
Music: Pritam,
Story: Priyadarshan, Neeraj Vora, Predicted Ratings: 5/10.

http://www.indiatarget.com/cgi-bin/slide_shows.cgi?678:5

Bhagam Bhag

By Akshay Shah, AllBollywood.com Staff
December 21, 2006



These days any Priyadarshan movie is awaited given his recent string of hits-but when the movie has his favourites Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal as well as Ex King of Comedy Govinda with a tagline that screams "The Greatest Comedy Show Ever" the expectations are no doubt soaring-so does BHAAGAM BHAG live upto expectations? Frankly-NO, however the movie does make up for a time pass comedy.
The movie revolves around Champak(Paresh Rawal) who is the owner of a theatre company that performs all over India. When an organiser (Asrani) gives them a chance to perform a large scale show abroad Champak jumps at the chance. The "stars" of his show arte Bunty (Akshay Kumar) and Babla (Govinda) –two mixchievous guys who always want to be the "hero" of the show and "patao" the "heroine" which leads to havoc. Just before they depart to London their heroine(Tanushree Dutta) quits due to the antics of Bunty and Babla.

Once they reach London, Champak Seth makes a condition…whoever finds the heroine for the play will play the movies hero. Both Akshay and Govinda enlist the help of a local Taxi Driver Gullu(Rajpal Yadav) but instead of finding a heroine they end up finding some heroin instead and get embroiled with a bunch of bumbling gangsters(Manoj Joshi, Sharat Saxena). Now the Cops(Jackie Shroff) is on their case as well as local goons(Razzak Khan, Shakti Kapoor).

Just when things couldn't get any crazier-Bunty manages to find a girl for his play(Lara Dutta) however the girl is a mental patient with suicidal tendencies and suffers from memory loss. When the girl's memory returns, she goes back to her husband Vikram (Arbaaz Khan) but as fate would have it Vikram is murdered and Bunty, Babla and Champal Seth are framed for the murder…and the chase begins!

In terms of a story Neeraj Vohra and Priyadarshan do a fine job given the genre of the movie. The story isn't as important in movies like this-whats important is creating enough scenarios for the gags to unfold and the interplay between the characters to come out and Vohra does a splendid job in the first half. The second half falters badly with the introduction of Lara Duttas character, the movie begins to rely solely on the antics of the leading trio to save the movie. The screenplay is zany! The first half is slick and extremely fast paced leaving the viewer laughing and breathless, however the second half slows down, and at times it seems like the movie has come to a halt. One wishes more attention had been paid to make the story and screenplay of BHAAGAM BHAG consistent and tighter in the second half.

As a director Priyadarshan had created high expectations for himself. Given the response to his past films in the genre right from HUNGAMA, HULCHUL, GARAM MASALA, MAAL A MAAL WEEKLY, and CHUP CHUP KE and the fact that Priyadarshan had managed a casting coup of sorts by having his two comic pillars of strength (Akshay and Paresh) AND the comeback of ex comedy king Govinda one expected a outright classic from Priyan however that is sadly not the case. The first half is simply magnificent and has countless golden moments of comedy courtesy of Akshay, Govinda and Paresh. The dialogues, chemistry and sequences between these three are an absolute riot and keep the viewer laughing non-stop. However the second half is a letdown. Once the movies focus shifts to the "suspense" element of the story the movie slumps, and also the finale is totally disappointing. The revelation of the suspense leaves much to be desired for and seems totally forced and contrived. The climax does feature Priyans usual stamp with all the characters running around like crazy-but given the title of the movie the characters do that for the entire movie. Instead he has them all falling off a huge crane one by one and this simply seems like a rather cheap climax-which seems its more from a Indra Kumar or David Dhawan movie than Priyadarshans own given his wicked touches in the climax of movies like HULCHUL, HUNGAMA and GARAM MASALA. As a movie, this is a standard Priyadarshan product-yet given the hype one would've expected it to be Priyans funniest or best movie to date which isn't the case. Infact-apart from his usual style, Priyan also gives more than a friendly nod to directors like David Dhawan and Indra Kumar as the movie features a LOT of slapstick throughout as well as the dialogue inter-play between the characters. One seriously wishes that Priyan hadn't relied so much on just his actors and the hype to see the movie through and concentrated more on the script and screenplay. On a positive note-Priyadarshan by now worked out a successful formula-two people at loggerheads while the one in the middle is trying to solve the crisis and it works like a dream in BHAAGAM BHAG again in the first half.

A special pat on the back for Neeraj Vohras whose dialogues are outstanding once again, and the mainstay of the movie as the lines uttered by the trio are simply HILARIOUS.

BHAAGAM BHAG belongs to three actors who are the life, soul and backbone of the movie and they are Akshay Kumar, Govinda and Paresh Rawal (in that precise order).

Akshay Kumar in the comedy genre is unmatched-the actor hasn't found as much appreciation critically or commercially with films like DOSTI, HUMKO DEEWANA KAR GAYEE or JAAN-E-MAN as he has with films like HERA PHERI, GARAM MASALA, PHIR HERA PHERI etc and frankly the actor is on fire once again in BHAAGAM BHAG! Watching Akshay Kumar here is like eating your favourite meal…you know what to expect and you know you're going to enjoy it. Absolutely crazy energy, bursting spontaneity, impeccable delivery, and hilarious facials in all Akshay Kumars trademark style come ALIVE in BHAAGAM BHAG and the actor shines. He dominates the entire movie in and out, unlike say the HERA PHERI series where Paresh has equal footage and an equally crowd-pleasing (if not more) character. Any other actor I would be bored of watching doing the same thing and again, however with Akshay I guess he is doing a mix of roles and not JUST comedy which makes the difference though this is clearly where his forte lies and he is no doubt the current comedy king. To sum up Akshay in BHAAGAM BHAG would be to quote his own dialogue in the movie when Babla(Govindas character in the movie) wants to play the "hero" to which Akshay replies "main kisi ka role nahin kaatoonga, lekin iss show ka hero main hoon aur sirf mein"…noted Akshay and keep up the great work!

On a sidenote: one must say that Akshay has learnt a LOT from Paresh Rawal in the comedy arena with each consequent film. There are times, where his timing is just amazing…or others where just the mere sight of his body language or him walking (shoulders back, head stuck out which is a clear trademark of Baburao Apte) evokes an ENORMOUS amount of laughter!

Govinda…what can one say? The actor sadly disappeared and faced a hard time in comedy. When the news came out that Govinda was starring in BHAAGAM BHAG I was hyped to see the actor shine again in a comedy movie. However it is clear from the outset that this is Govinda ENTERING into Priyadarshans camp where the HERO is already established (Akshay) and that he is just supporting. Govinda gives a surprisingly controlled performance, and on the acting front does a superb job. His delivery and facials are simply AWESOME and one realises how much talent Govinda has. There is a scene in the movie where Govinda is trying to explain to a British Officer in Hindi (when the officer doesn't know any Hindi) about whats happening. Govinda breaks out into a 3 minute non-stop delivery dhamaka and at that stage the entire cinema started clapping…timing, facials, comedy…for a moment there Govinda re-lived his entire GLORY and it was clear..he was BACK and only he can do what he can do. I agree with Rajpal Yadavs statement that Govinda has only given 30% of his energy here(and smartly so). All the best to Govinda for SALAAM-E-ISHQ and PARTNERS.

Must add that Govinda needs to take a LOT more care of his appearance, he looks tired and extremely worn out in parts. The hairstyle has to be changed and he needs to lose a little bit of weight too as some of the shots of him are rather unflattering Paresh Rawal takes a backstage here in the first half. He is there, and the scenes he has are funny, however the focus isn't on him. In the second half he joins Akshay and Govinda forming a trio ala HERA PHERI and there are some highly funny sequences. A classic Paresh Rawal sequence would be where Paresh puts on a pair of glasses which blinds his vision and then is on the run! I would say, for Paresh this is on the same level as GARAM MASALA was.

Lara Dutta is just OK. The actress looks gorgeous, however she isn't required to do much else. Tanushree Dutta is totally wasted in her part, but once again looks cute and sexy.

Rajpal Yadav is dependable as ever, though he isn't in the frontline here like he was in CHUP CHUP KE though he does have some scenes where he shines.

Jackie Shroff is disappointing in his part, and his character is out of sync in the movie. It's a rather bland character and Shroffs performance is bland too.

Arbaaz Khan is as expected.

The array of supporting actors are a must in a Priyan film and this is no different with actors like Shakti Kapoor, Razzak Khan, Manoj Joshi, Asrani and they all play their parts efficiently. However one wishes there was less focus on the Manoj Joshi-Sharad Saxena track which becomes kind of repetitive and annoying after a while with more focus on the main stars.

Technically the movie is just superb. Jeevas cinematography is just right, and he creates the right type of ambience needed for a comedy like BHAAGAM BHAG. The visuals of London are captured superbly on-screen. Arun Kumars editing could've been crisper with the second half progressing much faster.

Pritams music is good. The SIGNAL track is just perfectly placed, and the hype and momentum is creates is splendid. It's the kind of song that makes you want to get up and dance, and seeing Akshay, Govinda and Paresh croon and dance their way through it was alone worth the price of admission for me. One just wishes the same energy and zest was carried on throughout.

AFREEN and the title track too was well canned, and the songs are appropriately placed.

All up BHAAGAM BHAG is PAISA VASOOL and there is enough there to keep the viewers entertained for the duration of the movie, but in saying that there was potential for much more, and given the canvas and stars Priyadarshan had he should've completely LET LOOSE which he doesn't. The GREATEST COMEDY SHOW EVER it certainly is not.

Final Rating: * * * .

http://www.allbollywood.com/v2/bd/stc/rev/b/81.shtml

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Lara Dutta, Paresh Rawal, Tanushree Dutta, Arbaaz Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, Manoj Joshi, Jackie Shroff



Direction: Priyadarshan

Production: Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd. & Popkorn Motion Pictures Pvt Ltd.

Movie Review

Bhagam Bhag - Runway to nowhere

Faridoon Shahryar, IndiaGlitz [Friday, December 22, 2006>



It's a perfect example of the final product failing to match the enormous hype. For the convoluted plot, a stream of uninspired star cast, ear-splitting-music and a torturous almost-three-hour length makes 'Bhagam Bhag' a heap of suffering. And if you want the dope on the much-looked-forward-to 'comeback' of comedy king Govinda, then the news is overweight by at least twenty kgs. Need I say more! If you want to be taken seriously as a leading man and you can't control your weight and care to look good (that flab on the face is a good advertisement for a mutton shop), then you don't have any business of being in the showbiz. Except for a few stray comic situations in a typical Priyadarshan fashion, 'Bhagam Bhag' disappoints. It will be difficult for even Akshay Kumar to salvage this crazy-race-to-nowhere.

Bunty (Akshay Kumar) and Babla (Govinda) work as actors in Sethji's (Paresh Rawal) theatre company. Their 'innocent' flirtations with the lead (Tanushree Dutta) results in a precarious situation as the upset heroine leaves them in a lurch (literally) while they were ready to fly to London for a performance of their lifetime. The race begins in gusto to get a new heroine in London. Nisha (Lara Dutta), the damsel-in-distress is the answer. But she suffers from suicidal tendencies. Or does she! She almost comes under guide Gullu's (Rajpal Yadav) English Taxi.



Bunty, the B.A in English lukha dude romances the sensuous Nisha only to realize that she is married to Vikram (Arbaz Khan). Bouts of madness later she sets herself on fire…Allegations are thrown around….Race begins again….All this while there are volley of characters in search of pudiya (drugs) adding to the comedy-of-chaos. And then there's Shakti Kapoor-Razzaq Khan combo. Each more stupefying than the other. After a point of time, the gags stop making you laugh. Not even smile. As for Govinda….It seemed as if he is acting out of his memory of the golden days when he ruled the roost. His role is nothing but an extended side-kick who pouts and preens, looks terribly haggard and out of sorts.

The moments when Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal share screen space, it seems as if it is 'Hera Pheri Part III' (without the wonderful humour though). Govinda is not the only casualty in this film. Paresh Rawal in an ill defined role looks totally out of place. For people who were regaled by this genius of an actor in films like 'Hera Pheri', 'Hulchul', 'Hungama', Malamaal Weekly' etc. will be sorely disappointed. You can say Akshay Kumar is the best thing about this film but even he is far from his own standards that he set in films like 'Garam Masala', 'Deewane Hue Paagal' and 'Hera Pheri III'. His escapades with Shakti Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav and Razzaq Khan bring out some wonderfully funny moments. And you don't mind that they don't have anything to do with the flow of the film.

Lara Dutta is passable while Tanushree Dutta is hardly there. She sizzles in the track 'Pyaar Ka Signal' at the beginning of the credit line and before you've settled in your seat she goes missing. For good.



Pritam's music is loud and bordering on crass at times. Except for Kunal Ganjawala powered 'Tere Bin', none of the numbers are high on Appeal Quotient. 'Afreen' is choregraphed beautifully but the Broadway Musical feel is way over the top as a music composition. Jeeva's camera work is fine. The real culprit is the dialogue-peddler Neeraj Vohra who has got it all mixed up. His lines evoke half a laugh but not more. No, he is not in the same form as 'Phir Hera Pheri' or 'Golmaal'.

As for Priyadarshan, then he needs to reinvent himself fast. No, I don't have a problem with him lifting ideas from Malayalam hits. But it has to make sense. If he wishes to make a film like 'Bhagam Bhag' again then he may soon run out of takers. Alright the film will partially appeal to the frontbenchers but it loses steam as it unfolds. I think 'Malamaal Weekly' was hilarious. Even 'Chup Chup Ke' was worth-watching for most part. But I don't think I can say the same thing about 'Bhagam Bhag'. For it's a tired attempt at making you laugh. Santa isn't gonna be hollering at the Box Office….Ho Ho Ho…

Bhagam Bhag: Run as fast as you can….Away

Star Rating: **

http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/review/8888.html

Bhagam Bhag: Akshay top, Govinda flop

Gullu Singh | December 22, 2006 18:59 IST


A still from Bhagam Bhag

The promos of Bhagam Bhag give the impression that the film is Govinda's Bollywood comeback. But after watching it, I couldn't help but wonder where was Govinda in the film?

The Hero No 1, who used to make us laugh and inevitably got our feet tapping during his song sequences, is missing in action in this film. He simply plays second fiddle to Akshay Kumar, who steals the show.

The story revolves around a theatre company headed by Sethji (Paresh Rawal), whose company is offered to do an act in London. Of course, not once do you see any of the actors rehearsing.

When they are about to board the aircraft, the play's heroine, played by Tanushree Dutta, disappears. But still, the theatre group board the plane to London, and decide to find a new heroine.

Enter Lara Dutta, a girl with suicidal tendencies, who bumps into Akshay one day. She replaces Tanushree in the play. Surprisingly, no one bothers to find out whether she can act, dance or sing.



Akshay soon falls in love with her but later, finds out that she is already married.

There are far too many characters in the film, and by the end, you're left wondering who's who. Asrani, Sharad Saxena, Rajpal Yadav, an overweight Jackie Shroff (playing a London police officer) and innumerable other characters keep running on the streets of London with sticks. The law and order machinery seems to have no problem with that.

Director Priyadarshan sticks to his old tested and tired formula -- a comedy of errors, and you're left wondering how many times he will continue to repeat the same formula.

The film flows well till the interval, but loses steam then on, as Priyadarshan adds an element of suspense, making you wonder if the film is a comedy or a thriller.

Akshay looks old -- you can see patches of white in his stubble. Govinda looks old as well. The only real Govinda moment in the film is when he sings the already popular song, Signal. He has his funny moments but lacks the punch. And he really needs to step on that treadmill.

Paresh Rawal is wasted, with few comic moments. Rajpal Yadav has his moments too.

Priyadarshan's silly comedy does not end here. The three actors --Akshay, Govinda and Paresh -- are wanted by the London police for a murder and their pictures are flashed all over the local newspapers. Yet, they roam all over the city without a care.

Lara keeps disappearing in the film. Priyadarshan tries to introduce suspense with her character but after a point, one couldn't care less whether she was dead or alive.

The real hero of the film is Akshay Kumar. He outshines everyone and has some of the best dialogues in the film. He is a treat to watch.

Rediff Rating: **

http://www.rediff.com/movies/2006/dec/22bb.htm

To bee or not to bee

Khalid Mohamed

Mumbai, December 22, 2006

Bhagam Bhag

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Lara Dutta
Direction: Priyadarshan
Rating: **

This one's literally Bee-grade. A huge honeycomb suddenly erupts, the supposed comedy disrupts, practically every joke and gag is manically abrupt.

Truly to bee or not to bee is the question.

That's Priyadarshan's Bhagam Bhag in the director's patented style of trouser-dropping humour and bone-breaking slapstick.

Like it or not, the effort keeps coming apart at the seams, discourtesy a caboodle of wacked-out characters, plus those clunky passages of dialogue yelled out at a volume guaranteed to shatter glass. Alas.


Akshay Kumar, Govinda and Paresh Rawal in a still from Bhagam Bhag

Do carry ear-plugs, then, to reduce the impact of the oddballs and odder belles from a travelling musical drama company.

Two of its pivotal players (Akshay Kumar-Govinda) have just driven the shivering-quivering heroine (one-dance wonder Tanushree Dutta) far away from the premises. Why, why?


Apparently, Quivering Kumri didn't approve of their bouts of lewd heave-teasing. Sensible girl.

Now, a new leading lady has to be firmed since the company's Saroj Khanesque shows are about to kick off in London, which incidentally looks suspiciously like Oxford town. Uh oh.

Nautch girl baliye, indeed. Next: a very zapped-out femme (Lara Dutta, woody) is located to play the abhinetri. So mercy be, the shows go on. Or do they?

Not really, since the master of ceremonies (Paresh Rawal) often runs off to the loo and is eye-boggled on being confronted with more crazies than in a mental zoo. Pooh.

Just for the record, there are drug mafia meanies (topped by the ageless Sharat Saxena, of course), a space cadet (Razzak Khan, ditto), a whiskyholic (Shakti Kapoor, egads), and a certain Mr Manubhai Gandhi who sets off double entendres about Munnabhai-style Gandhigiri.

To be sure, Neeraj Vohra must have created all these cliched chappies in his sleep. Bore snore.

More woes. Anything and anyone goes.The second-half even degenerates into a brain-toasting whodunit about a mysterious gazillionaire (Arbaaz Khan), who has this Guinness Record Book ability to grow a beard thicker than a brick, at hair-raising speed.

And please. what are you to make of an Indo-Brit "police commissioner" (Jackie Shroff), who jumps in and out of cop cars,looking more important than Tony Blair. Despair.

Throughout, you do wonder how Britons respond to Mumbai moviedom's frantic antics being performed on the streets. Frequently, the Oxford locals wander into camera range, more frightened than deer caught in the flash of headlights. Be that as it may, admittedly Jeeva's camerawork is deluxe supreme.

Pritam's music is nothing to hum or haw about though. Suleiman-Shaikh's background score lifts riffs from the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack.As for the aforecited dialogue, it's replete with such nuggets as, "Are you a man or a pajama?" Quite.

Of the cast, Akshay Kumar dominates whatever there is of the show with his spontaneous sense of comic timing. Disappointingly, yesterday's super-sparkling Govinda is lustreless and tired in a sidey role. Rajpal Yadav, as a busybody taxi driver, is energetic. And Paresh Rawal, despite his underwritten role, is reliably first-rate.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1876689,00110003.htm