Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Bobby Deol starrer reincarnation comedy is a decent slapstick that remains true to its genre.
- Director: Farhad Samji
- Cast: Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Bobby Deol, Kriti Sanon, Johnny Lever
Comedies are tricky. And when comedy enters slapstick zone, chances of it going wrong is very high. But Housefull 4, inspite of being a Shuddhh Desi No-Brainer, manages to hold your attention (especially in the first half) and though silly, gives you ample laugh if you surrender to it.
The good part here is – There is actually a plot (which mad capers rarely have). Six lovebirds belonging to Mahismati like kingdom couldn’t tie their nuptial knot and they are reincarnated again in the modern age where they reunite but not as couples. The first half of the film tells the story of their previous birth. The real charmer here is Akshay Kumar playing a bald prince “Bala” who is so notorious that he sells Pig’s excreta as Viagra and tortures people for fun. Akshay Kumar manages to tickle your funny bones doing the stupidest of things. His comic timing is sheer gold and the way makers made his signature ‘Bala’ more viral, he is a total riot. In some of the scenes he cracked me up with just his eyes and it was really refreshing to see him doing things he is master of. He is well supported by an equally effective Riteish Deshmukh who plays an effeminate dancer and Bobby Deol as Dharam Putra (highly symbolical). The three girls (Sanon, Hegde and Kharbanda) playing their love interests do nothing but make faces. And if you have already lost count of actors, there is a cameo by Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Ramsey Baba who plays a ghostbuster.
Though silly, the first half works and keeps you invested as there is a plot running parallel to the comedy. The problem begins when in the second half the narrative shifts to the modern age. Though Akshay tries hard, the jokes look stale and film drags a bit. The climax ( a routine Housefull Franchise Climax which has almost all the characters running hay wire) falls flat and has few giggles here and there.
But if you like no-brainer comedies and want to have a good time chilling with your family/friends this festive season, you can give Housefull 4 a try. If nothing else you will come home chanting “Bala! Bala! Bala!”
