Film review: 'Phata Poster Nikhla Hero' lacks a propelling plot

Film: Phata Poster Nikhla Hero
Rating: **1/2
Directed: Raj Kumar Santoshi
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Illena D'Cruz, Padmini Kolhapure, Darsheel Jariwala

What's it about: It is Munnabhai MBBS reloaded. Raj Kumar Santoshi has taken a funny film, changed the father who wants his son to be a doctor to a mother who wants her son to be a cop, added dollops of madness, some really crazy capers, some inspiration from his own previous hit (Andaz Apna Apna) and has delivered PPHN.

Vishwas Rao's  (Shahid Kapoor) mother wants his to be a honest cop. but all he wants to do is become an actor. A twist in the tale later, he finds himself in Mumbai, impersonating a police inspector. And thus begins a comedy of errors with the real more cops and robbers. It's all fun till Rao's (pad mini Kolhapure) mother lands not he scene.

What's good: If the promos hadn't got you excited, you could not have contained it, once the title of the film began,(fully film). From that moment you know that you are in for a mad ride. It is a joyride till interval. Padmini Kolhapure is a delight as Shahid's mother. Illena as Complain Kajal plays her flaky part to perfection. But it is upto Shahid to make the madness work, and he does a commendable job.

He is just plain fun. He literally transforms into a human cartoon. He surrenders to the anything-for-a-laugh role with such abandon that makes you wonder why no one tapped his comic potential sooner. One of the film's funniest scene features Salman Khan. Another one between Padmini and Darsheel Jariwala (Inspector Ghorkapde) will have you cracking up. PPNH has some hysterical moments.

What's not: Santoshi doesn't deliver on the promise he makes. The second half of the film suddenly changes gears and gets too emotional and a little heavy. And the audience is expected to change the mood from comedy to drama just as quickly. It doesn't happen. Then the whole Napolean angle makes matters worse. It's almost as if the director chickened out of making a full blown comedy film and gave way to some emotion/drama. Sad, because this could have gone the Andaz Apna Apna way. But it lacks a propelling plot.

What to do: If you are a fan of Andaz Apna Apna, you might want to catch it. You will find enough references to the film to remind you of the old film and have a few extra laughs.