Director Rahat Kazmi's Dekh Re Dekh finally releases this week, with a change in name. The film was earlier titled Dekh Bhai Dekh, recalling at once Anand Mahendroo's famous sitcom by the same name. The film has a very interesting premise and promises to be another delicious dark comedy but one's expectations are soon doused by the unimaginative screenplay. Kazmi is not able to sustain the mood and the film starts dragging way before its end. The saving grace is the appearance of Vijay Raaz, who infuses life into the proceedings. Another plus for the film is the appearance of Gracy Singh, who goes for an absolute change in image.
The film's story is about an odd group of characters who decide to take to crime to pursue their ends, only to find that everything goes awfully wrong with their plans. The motley band of unlikely gangsters consists of a small town girl, played by Gracy, who wants to run away from her failed marriage, a smalltime politician, played by Raghuvir Yadav, who needs money to get himself a ticket during the elections and a kabadiwalla's son, played by Siddharth Koirala. They plan to steal a priceless statue from the local temple. They enlist the help of a proper crook, played delightfully by Raaz, to help them achieve their goal. They manage to pull off the first part of their plan which consists of robbing the statue. But they miss the last train out of town and are forced to take refuge in an old haveli. The only person living in that dilapidated house is an old woman, who has not yet managed to come to terms with being abandoned by her son. The film takes a twist here when the gang decides to do away with the old woman and make off with her jewellery.
The first half of the film is very slow and fails to hook the viewer. But the film seems to warm up slightly in the second half but that too is short lived as it ends with a bit of a whimper. The biggest problem with this film is that its screenplay and script don't work. The basic story is in place and a well written screenplay should have done the work. But clumsy direction and an unimaginative script mar the proceedings to a great extent quite unlike this week's other release, Jashnn, which scores big on the writing front.
With a weak script, there is just that much that the actors can do to liven up the proceedings. Since most of their roles lack that edge, there is just that much that they are able to do with their parts. Raaz is in a class apart and manages to make the most of his role. As for Gracy Singh, the Lagaan girl really manages to spring a surprise with her portrayal of a grey character. Siddharth Koirala is just about okay. Raghuvir Yadav reveals shades of his brilliant self in his portrayal but again is handicapped by a badly etched role.
Basically, Dekh Re Dekh could have done with a little more spark. Lacking that, it is just ends up being quite tedious.
