Spoof on film industry goes awry

Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge
Cast: Kunal Khemu, Paresh Rawal, Soha Ali Khan, Sonu Sood
Director: Umesh Shukla
Rating: **

What happens when a righteous unemployed accountant teams up with a once-successful debt-ridden producer to make the biggest flop film ever? You get Solay Se L’gaaan Tak, which, on paper, looks destined to sink without a trace.

This is the story of producer and small-time con man Raj Chopra (Paresh Rawal) and Anand Pawar (Kunal Khemu), a chawl boy in love with geeky aspiring actress Neha (Soha Ali Khan).

Rawal needs to sign hero Aryan (Sonu Sood) to appease his moneylenders. Aryan is desperately in need of work and a hit, after a string of flops. Anand needs to make some quick bucks to be able to marry Neha. Welcome to ‘Charsubishi Films’.

Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge is meant to be a spoof on the film industry, and it is, to an extent. However its insights are shallow (with quips like ‘99 per cent directors don’t know how to make movies and learn on the job’), the wit is missing and production is tacky. The first half is bland and unfunny, redeeming itself with a few funny gags in the latter portion.

The music is boring, the visuals uninteresting, and the writing is very casual. Points go to the performances. Though he’s convincing as a stuttering Anand, Kunal Khemu really deserves to take on roles that challenge his acting abilities more.

Soha Ali Khan brings nothing to the part. You can imagine any young actress filling Neha’s shoes. Rawal is in his comfort zone in a part that could easily be right out of a Priyadarshan film. It’s good to see Sonu Sood get a range of roles - and this one allows him to be larger than life. Johny Lever makes a rare appearance as a scriptwriter, but is just too hysterical.

This one might appeal to those people who favour Rawal and Lever’s brand of humour. But only to them.