I saw this film on the weekend of its release and completely forgot about it, hence this delayed post. I suppose that itself should set the tone for the rest of this review.
I don't really care how much the box office collection is because let's face it there ain't many mainstream movies out right now.
So the throwback hangover we've had over the last year continues with the added noise called Judwaa 2. That being said, it's one of the throwbacks we all were looking forward to. It's the one we could actually relate to! I don't fucking remember what blowout Madhuri had in some Bappi song?! I do remember Salman adjusting his crotch and dancing away with Karishma Kapoor, because I was alive for that one.
I grew up on Dhawan films, but then Bollywood hit a new wave of slapstick comedies that pivoted away from physical comedy to sexual innuendos. Now I find myself weary of the former and unhumored by the comedy of errors that Judwaa 2 had to offer. Additionally, the growing popularity of indie movies actually made me find logic in the humor. Big mistake. My bad. Really diluted the impact of this movie.
So I'll bench the logics such as the underwhelming response of having met your long lost twin/son, or why someone would order pizza at the supermarket. However it would be very difficult to ignore Jacqueline Fernandes's intolerable existence on the screen. Like I'm over it.
I don't think this sequel really compares to the original, but if I had to pick anyone from the current generation of actors to play the part, it'd be Varun Dhawan. Bollywood should really introspect right about now, because we live in a world where Varun Dhawan is the only capable fresh blood to play comedic roles without pulling a muscle.
Anyway the highlight and delight of this movie was Tapsee Pannu. When I saw her in Chasme Badoor, I thought she was in desperate need of a hair stylist and terribly underutilized. But this time round that was all corrected and she stole the show. She didn't need an accent or a hot bod to outshine Jaqueline. Another big plus for the movie were the remixed songs from the 90s original - Oonchi Hai Building and Chalti hai Kya 9 se 12. When they released initially I was a little disappointed in Dhawan for not having enough faith in his own production to have original songs to sell the movie. After watching it, I understand completely.
Watch this movie, don't watch this movie, it really won't make a difference. It is the definition of "time-pass." What you shouldn't miss is watching the original or re-watching the original. Trust me that is a better nostalgia trip than a makeshift attempt.
