Is it tickets
worth – Partly yes
Pluses – Performances – right from Amitabh
Bachchan to Parth Bhalerao, the issue it tackles
Highs – Amitabh Bachchan and Parth
Bhalerao’s chemistry. The 1st half.
Lows – The screenplay towards the climax
veers away; it could have been better thought after and made much more plausible.
Analysis – While Bhoothnath was an out an out children film and an escapist fare; Bhoothnath Returns tries to address a social cause and tries to strike a balance between being a children’s film and a film for the thinking audience; it succeeds to an extent, partially!
The critic
found Bhoothnath Returns to be better than the original as it touches the core
issue Indians face today, corrupt politics and its ripple effect on everyday
life. Much of the credit goes to Amitabh Bachchan and his effortless act which makes the idea of a ghost contesting election possible!
While the first half packs in the required punch, the second half unnecessarily tries to be serious. The same thing, would have had a much better impact (on the BO too) if narrated in a light-hearted manner. The film’s protagonists particularly appear weak, as they do nothing, after the goons hit the character, Akhroat, with an iron-bar and thereby the director loses grip on the audiences more so the kids; a group of kids in the auditorium asked their mother, will Bhoothnath not avenge assault on Akhroat? Are they coming up with Bhoothnath 3?
While the first half packs in the required punch, the second half unnecessarily tries to be serious. The same thing, would have had a much better impact (on the BO too) if narrated in a light-hearted manner. The film’s protagonists particularly appear weak, as they do nothing, after the goons hit the character, Akhroat, with an iron-bar and thereby the director loses grip on the audiences more so the kids; a group of kids in the auditorium asked their mother, will Bhoothnath not avenge assault on Akhroat? Are they coming up with Bhoothnath 3?
Also, 'Party with Bhoothnath' song, a hit with the kids is missing, if it starts after the end-credits roll by, it's placed too late!
Final word - Ironically,
Nitesh Tiwari was co-director with Vikas Bahl on Chillar Party and earlier this
year Vikas’ Queen found success; in spite of a lazy screenplay and routine
writing! Will Bhoothnath Returns, though better scripted and an issue-based
film, find success? Let’s see.
