Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Kriti Sanon, Bobby Deol, Kriti Kharbanda, Pooja Hegde and others.
Farhad Samji
Comedy
2019-10-25
Hindi
2/5
Whenever you hear it's going to be a Housefull franchise, you automatically expect madness, madness and a sprinkle of more madness. It's long since been established that the franchise doesn't really believe in a storyline. For Housefull 4 however, the makers have set a 600-year timeline and put a reincarnation twist to add to the madness (not the storyline, of course).
In the 1500s, three princesses of Sitamgarh fall in love with the most unlikely candidates. Bala aka Rajkumar Bala Dev Singh (Akshay Kumar), Bangdu Maharaj (Riteish Deshmukh) and Dharamputra (Bobby Deol) - their names itself explain their personalities. Bala being the bald warrior whose patience is as nonexistent as his hairline. Bangdu Maharaj is the musician who is in touch with his feminine side and knows how to treat a lady. Lastly, there is Dharamputra who is all handsome and brawny (as his real father, Dharmendra is known to be)!!! The couples are ill-fated and each of them fail to have a happily ever after.
600 years later the six of them are destined to meet again but none of them has any recollection of their past...
Rajkumari Madhu is now Kriti (Kriti Sanon), Rajkumari Mala is Pooja (Pooja Hegde) and Rajkumari Meena is Neha (Kriti Kharbanda); each has fallen in love but not with the man from their past. When Harry (Bala from the yore) remembers everything from the past, he tries to right the wrong starting with getting the couples sorted.
It took six writers to write the screenplay of the film and each of them has managed to put at least 2 fun moments. So while the film is absolutely ridiculous, it has its moments of laughter - enough to keep the kids entertained.
Yes, this one doesn't have sleaze in as much quantity as its predecessors. Of course, there are some cheap jokes but kids won't get it and you can share a chuckle with your partner over it.
It is a complete Akshay Kumar film, with others coming and going as he pleases. There's absolutely no sense of continuity in the script, it goes where it pleases. What's amazing is seeing the actors keep up with the madness. Riteish Deshmukh is a treat to watch as he hams away his part in the film, his acting is so contrived that it's hilarious. Bobby Deol tries his level best to make a little space for himself in the overcrowded Housefull franchise and manages to not stand out like a sore thumb. The girls look pretty and confused most of the times, which is pretty much the only requirement from them. Given Kriti Sanon's Bollywood success in comparison to the other two ladies, she does get a little more to do, but only marginally.
As aforementioned, it's a through and through Akshay Kumar film, he dances when he pleases, he punches when he pleases and he rearranges lovers, script and eccentricity as he pleases. He is obviously too seasoned in the franchise to do anything but ham. His over-the-top loud acting will leave kids in splits and elders with only a mild headache.
He is completely unhinged in the film and as Bala, has given India a new hook step. Though other than the 'Bala Bala...' number, there aren't any great songs in the film, the music interludes help relax your jaw that gets overtired with the grinning at the ridiculousness of the situation which is Housefull 4.
Farhad Samji for his part keeps the film true to its franchise since he himself has sat on the screenplay, its down moments are as much his fault as the others who sat on the storyboard. All in all, Housefull 4 is that time pass Diwali release which one sees while waiting for better times.
Comments (0)