With a delightfully simple plot, ‘Bheja Fry’ does anything but fry your brains. And I am aware that am more than a little late, but would like to mention this movie, if for nothing else than a 2-hour memory of good friendly fun and laughter. Although Bheja Fry is the remake of the French film Le Diner De Cons (The Dinner Game), it is a pleasurable movie and an absolute laughter riot when watching with friends.Directed by first-timer Sagar Ballary, the story revolves around an evening and five characters. In the name of harmless fun, a group of friends are known to invite complete fools for dinner every week in the name of showcasing their talents and laughing at the fool’s expense. Ranjeet Malhotra (Rajat Kapur) is the man looking at being the next host for showcasing a remarkable new talent and meets Bharat Bhushan (Vinay Pathak), the Income tax officer with a self taught talent of singing. But Mr. Malhotra’s life is forever changed when his wife Sheetal Thadani (Sarika) suddenly leaves him and then a sequence of pure humorous events unfolds, and in this case also repeatedly folds. The cameo by real life good friend Ranvir Shorey is a bit overboard but all for a good time and Milind Soman’s presence being oh so mild has just the right touch for the story. Bhawana Somani as a mildly pschotic girlfriend is very convincing and Rajat Kapur, of course, comes across similarly sincere reprising the role of the music director. All said and done, this movie undoubtedly belongs to Vinay Pathak. Surpassing his own personal charisma, Vinay Pathak totally belongs to his character, Bharat Bhushan, the income tax officer cum singer.
With a theatre-toned star-cast as such, the movie is more refreshing than any Khan or Bachhan starrer and does a tremendously good job of entertaining to the fullest. The movie, so simply and beautifully executed, definitely belongs in my ‘cult-movie’ genre amongst the likes of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Amol Palekar starrer Golmaal and Chhoti Si Baat. I recommend ‘Bheja Fry’ to any movie buff wanting a formula-sans paisa vasool entertainment that is refreshing and passionately made. May this tribe see the light of day forever!
