Film Review: Raju Chacha

IT COULD have been a wonderful blend of ``Home Alone'' and ``The Sound of Silence'' if Anil Devgan had been able to sufficiently Indianise the version in a coherent manner. It could have been a kids caper had the director been sure of his priorities. It could have been the kiddie film Bollywood had apparently forgotten to make had the bits on vendetta and violence not been thrown in. It could have been one of the better films with superb special effects and computer-aided images, the first of their kind had the concentration been on form to the fullest. And yes, it could have been the grand comeback vehicle for husband-wife duo Ajay Devgan and Kajol had it been an out and out tale of romance with dollops of mandatory dance numbers thrown in for good effect. And it could atleast have been a watchable film had music directors Jatin-Lalit been able to provide anything more than situational music. If only....

As it is, ``Raju Chacha'' is wrapped in warped priorities. Not only is the film gripping only in patches, operating in the manner of a novice driver - now smooth, good clean fun with great visuals, now bumpy narration, now detour to violence. It also suffers because the makers - the Rs. 30-crore budget film has been allegedly proxy-directed by Ajay Devgan with his cousin Anil wielding the director's baton on the former's whims - are not too sure whether to make a film which will bring in the kids in droves to cinema halls in their winter vacations or to appeal to the family viewers.

As it is, though ``Raju Chacha'' is touted as a film for children because ``courage comes in all sizes'', it has plenty of scenes innocent ones can do without in years of infancy. For instance, showing kids gurgling down liquor, even if forcibly, is a definite no, no for a kids film. And even stripping the hero behind the camera. On both the occasions one overheard youngsters reacting with wild screams inside the theatre.

As it is, ``Raju Chacha'' is neither here nor there. In trying to have two separate parallel stories - Raju Chacha playing the doting uncle to cute kids on the one side and greedy men with eye on kids' property after the death of their father, Rishi Kapoor on the other.

Incidentally, Kapoor is wasted in an insignificant role while Kajol plays second fiddle to her hubby who appears weather- beaten.

Avoidable fare.

ZIYA US SALAM

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Entertainment
Previous : Stunning recreations on screen
Next     : Eventful year for the duo