Bhootnath Returns
Year: 2014
Director: Nitesh Tiwari
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Parth Bhalerao, Boman Irani

The original Bhootnath (2008) was an average entertainer telling a story of a unique friendship between a grandfatherly ghost and a young kid. While it made good business at the box-office, it left with an impression of underutilizing the Big B factor.

So when I started watching the sequel Bhootnath Returns, I was keen to see whether that flaw would be corrected this time around. What did I find out?

What’s the plot?

Bhootnath (Amitabh Bachchan) has returned to the Ghost World and is patiently awaiting his turn to return to human form. But to his horror, he finds each and every dead soul around him taunting and ridiculing him. The reason- he wasn’t even able to scare a tiny kid in his last ghost- stint! So requesting a special permission, Bhootnath once again comes back on earth as a ghost, with a mission to scare the kids!

Again, a smart kid (Parth Bhalerao), a slum-boy sees him and nonchalantly makes him his friend. With Bhootnath’s help, the spunky kid starts a new business of clearing up ghosts from the haunted hosing societies for hapless builders. But an encounter with a corrupt, ruthless builder-cum-politician (Boman Irani) makes them realize that they should be doing something more constructive. The boy convinces Bhootnath to stand for an election against the evil politico. How will this election pan out?

What’s hot?

·        Director Nitesh Tiwari makes this children’s film relevant and enjoyable for the adults. Even while handling the serious sociopolitical issues, he balances the act by keeping the screen proceedings light-hearted.

.        The dialogues are crisp and contemporary.

·        Parth Bhalerao is brilliant in his debut act. As it is, good kid actors almost always have this habit of hogging the limelight with natural fearless performances!

·        Boman Irani predictably turns in a memorable performance as a villainish politician.

·        Amitabh Bachchan gets a much better part in this Bhootnath outing and plays it with panache. His chemistry with the kid is endearing. Still such are the expectations from this man that you still feel that his talents could have been given an even better canvas!

·        The music is catchy. Songs like Party To Banti Hai and Har Har Gange are already hits. But the song that catches attention is Sahib Nazar Rakhna, a poignant look at the nation’s poor and underprivileged.

·        Cameos of Anurag Kashyap, Shahrukh and Ranbir add color.

What’s not?

·        The film takes a while to get going.

·        The inevitable Bollywood melodrama at times!

·        None too effective climax.

Verdict

Some critics have commented that Bhootnath Returns does not bring in enough seriousness about the social and political issues. But to me, that is the success of this film. It is a simplistic tale for the kids about adult issues such as corruption, governance and democratic process. Fusing fantasy and reality, it cleverly manages to entertain, enlighten and also gives a clear, effective and timely message – “Go and vote for securing your future.”

Rating

3 out of 5 stars