Dedh Ishqiya - A Review (* * * *)

I love the fact that the most crackling chemistry in Abhishek Chaubey’s ‘Dedh Ishqiya’ is between the male protagonists. This is no mean feat considering the film has the delicious pairing of Naseeruddin Shah and Madhuri Dixit, both seasoned actors who bring charm and humour to their scenes together. But the scenes involving Naseer and Arshad Warsi are on a different plain, drawing on the yin and yang qualities of their characters and infusing it with quirky comedy that made ‘Ishqiya’, the film’s prequel, such a success.

In ‘Ishqiya’ both Khalu and Babban, the characters played by Naseer and Arshad, vied for the affection of one woman, but fate has been kinder here. So while Khalu pretends to be a Nawab in order to win the hand of Para Begum, played by Madhuri Dixit, Babban acts as his butler and is soon besotted with the Begum’s feisty handmaiden Muniya (Huma Qureshi).

The plot is centred around the Begum’s search for a suitor who can replace her dead husband as the Nawab of Mahmudabad. The Begum has a fondness for urdu poetry, which is conceivable since Mahmudabad is modelled on a princely estate in the heart of Uttar Pradesh. Khalu may not be a Nawab but he is dead serious about marrying the Begum. It emerges that Khalu once saw the Begum dancing, many years ago, and has remained smitten by her since. The elements of urdu poetry and dance in a film that stars Naseer and Madhuri should tell you of the wonderful places this film intends to (and does) go. In scenes where Naseer is serenading the Begum with chaste urdu ghazals, you can literally see the ghost of his performance as Mirza Ghalib in Gulzar’s wonderful tv series of the same name. Madhuri has two dance sequences, which are just as mesmeric as some of her best work.

Much of the refinement in Khalu and Begum’s budding romance is in contrast to the crude, but entertaining banter between Khalu and Babban. For a while, their alliance is tenuous on account of a betrayal that Khalu may have caused Babban. But then there is no honour among thieves, and Babban’s ability to not take deep offence keeps this comedy on track. Levity is one of the many pleasures of ‘Dedh Ishqiya’.

This is a very well written film, based on a story by Darab Farooqui. Because the screenplay is penned by Vishal Bhardwaj and Gulzar, along with Abhshek Chaubey, the comedy in this film is nuanced and draws skillfully on the vast landscape that is the questionable motives of men. Betrayal of trust and manipulation are familiar motifs in films produced by Vishal Bhardwaj. Khalu and Babban may be conmen, but here they are surrounded by characters who are playing out their own schemes. Chief among them is one Jaan Mohammed, a local MLA and potential suitor for the Begum, portrayed inimitably by Vijay Raaz. How Jaan manages to come up with poetry provides one of the best gags in the film. Without revealing anything further, I can tell you that – a) it involves a delightful cameo by Manoj Pahwa, and b) it leads to one of the most hilariously satisfying climaxes I have seen in some time.

 I like ‘Dedh Ishqiya’ for the deep affection it has for Khalu and Babban, who, on the strength of this film, are sure to be consigned to film lore. Its take on the conmen-with-hearts-of-gold premise is both funny and rich with empathy. For all the hell they raise, Khalu and Babban’s romanticism and the grudging attempts to be better men causes us to care about them, which is what makes ‘Dedh Ishqiya’ a delightful film. The place they end up in this film could be seen as a comeuppance or an unfair turn of events. All I know is that Khalu and Babban are tough buggers who can get themselves out of any hole.