Expecting this to be as good and as funny as original Khubsoorat would be unfair, expecting the lead actress of this movie to match the skills and spontaneity of Rekha would be too much to ask for. So now that we have set your expectations in right perspective let’s start with this journey called Khoobsurat.
When 50% of the hall is empty on the first day evening show of a movie, you surely have a reason to worry about as to what is there in store for next 3 hrs and also when you have already seen lot of youngsters heading towards having a “Daawat” in another Hall of the multiplex. The movie starts with a trailer of Bang Bang and boy you just can’t miss the hot screen presence of Hrithik and Katrina. And immediately a decision to watch Bang Bang on the very first day was taken, like this decision of watching Khoobsurat on the very first day was taken after watching its trailer.
When you see Sonam talking about how she felt like a princess working in a Disney film in the very beginning, you know where the bucks are coming from as Disney is the producer of this movie. Movie starts with Sonam wearing oversized glasses acting as a physiotherapist who claims to have cured Sehwag and Dhoni through her skills. She belongs to typical Delhi Punjabi family that has over the top mother (Kiron Kher in her patent role), a young brat of a brother and silent Bengali father and they will always have chicken shiken for dinner.
Alright, Milli (Sonam) gets a job to cure the Raja of Sambhalgarh ( Aamir Raza Hussain) and she decides to take a journey to the place in a camel cart (??) although her 3G connection kept working as she continues to talk to Manju (her mother) , probably Rekha’s namesake after Khubsoorat. The grand palace of Sambhalgarh has every thing immaculate about it, the heritage, the antiques, the grandness and the people. Rani Sa Nirmala Devi Rathore (Ratna Pathak) is a perfectionist with her “dinner at sharp eight” kind of theories well in place. The Raja does have his sarcastic streaks alive while having his favourite wine. The prince Vikram Singh Rathore ( Fawad Khan) is engaged to Kyra (Aditi Rao) . He is a hard core business man who wouldn’t mind getting a seat of his choice in an aircraft just to get his business deal through.
So Milli reaches Sambhalgarh and as rightly addressed by Prince “Aafat” arrives. She believes in breaking every rule, she believes in rubbing too many people the wrong way, she believes in eating rice through her hand and she believes in taking selfies in every corner of this grand palace and chatting with Manju on Skype through her iPad. As expected, things start to change in this silent and subtle palace. The prince despite everything going against him, falls for her. The members start to like her and she herself falls in deep love with the Prince.
The movie that starts at a great pace slows down in between especially during the songs and emotional scenes. The chemistry between the Prince and Milli could have been projected better. Kiron Kher has nothing to do as from Hum Tum to Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna to Khoobsurat she has played the role in exactly the same manner and expressions i.e loud. Ratna Pathak stands out in her role as Rani sa. She carries the role with a lot of grace and composure. She looks royal in her chiffon sarees with matching brooches. Aamir Raja Hussain played the role of Raja to aplomb. He looks so much at ease playing the character.
As regards the lead characters the role of Milli was tailor made for Sonam in this home production like that of Aisha. She looks natural in her Punjabi girl avatar however fails miserably in emotional and intense scenes. Frankly she looks horrible in romantic scenes. And her wardrobe has nothing stylish about it although they are flashy and colourful. The person to watch is Fawad Khan, he is hot and has a tremendous screen presence. The poise with which he plays the role of Prince Vikram Rathore is credible for a person who is acting in his first hindi movie. He looks like a perfect gentleman in his band galas and blazers. It is only for him that the movie continues to hold on to its interest.
The music is average although Engine ki seeti mein is already a rage. The slow numbers are ok but look misfit in the movie. All and all, it’s a good family movie with no vulgar scenes. There are moments that are really funny and then there are moments when the movie drags. Just watch it for Fawad Khan and terrific acting by Ratna Pathak and Aamir Raja Hussain and yes there is Sonam too 😉
Rating 3/5
Jaipur Beat 