Review: 'Pappu Can't Dance Saala'

Review: Pappu Can't Dance Saala (U/A)
Cast: Vinay Pathak, Neha Dhupia, Rajat Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah and Sanjay Mishra
Director: Saurabh Shukla
Rating: *

Mahek (Neha Dhupia) is an aspiring dancer, who runs away from hometown Kolhapur to the clichéd city of dreams, Mumbai. Living life on her own terms, she’s the troublesome neighbour to Vidhyadhar (Vinay Pathak) a village simpleton who has come to the city to make a living.

Living in a Sales Tax government employees’ society and being non-government servants, Mahek and Vidyadhar always run the risk of being busted by the ‘Vigilance’ department. In one such operation, Mahek gets thrown out of her flat and into Vidyadhar’s. The unruly Mahek has obviously bullied the well-mannered Vidyadhar and occupied his home. From then on, you can only pray the unconventional pair doesn’t fall in love.

But alas, this is Bollywood we’re talking about and imagination here is as elusive as a good film itself. You wonder, if there’s anything like security checks by the housing society or by the police. Guess it was rather convenient to assume viewers won’t notice that huge flaw.

Known otherwise for his impeccable comic timing, Vinay Pathak has once again lived up to his newly-acquired and thoughtfully built reputation of being a ham-handed comedian with all his ventures of 2011 (Tere Mere Phere, Bheja Fry 2, Utt Pataang, Chalo Dilli and now Pappu…).

He’s seems almost typecast as a simpleton being taken for a ride by nasty city dwellers since his Bheja Fry (2007) days. Neha Dhupia is impressive but shallow script doesn’t allow her to display much acting talent. Rajat Kapoor as Mahek’s dance instructor is unfussy, but doesn’t make a mark either.

The actors cannot be blamed for a shoddy script riddled with clichés and stereotypical lines portraying city dwellers as being rude, insensitive and overall ill-mannered.

Apart from some well-choreographed dance practice session by Longines Fernandes and Neha Dhupia there isn’t much working for Pappu Can’t Dance Saala.

Pull out that original ‘Pappu Can’t Dance Saala’ song from Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na and dance your heart out. Saurabh Shukla’s Pappu… can only make you sob. Skip, skip, skip.