Review: Star cast just about rescues 'No Problem'

Film: No Problem (U/A)
Director: Anees Bazmee
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Kangna Ranaut, Sushmita Sen, Neetu Chandra, Paresh Rawal, Suniel Shetty
Rating: **

No Problem boasts of a huge star cast. It is delightful to see Anil Kapoor, who has been making news for his international projects, in a comedy after No Entry (2005) and Welcome (2007), both directed by Anees Bazmee.

Gangster Marcus (Shetty), his mole Sophia (Chandra) and his henchmen have successfully carried off a multi-crore diamond heist. Two small-time thieves Yash (Dutt) and Raj (Khanna) rob a bank in Zandulal’s gaon (mind you, it’s in South Africa and all the residents of the gaon speak Hindi).

Zandulal follows Yash and Raj to Durban, only to become a prime suspect in a robbery at a minister’s house. What ensues is what makes the characters of No Problem click.

Incompetent cop Arjun (Kapoor), his schizophrenic wife Kajal (Sen) and Zandulal (Rawal) pull off the meatiest gags. Arjun’s ineptitude calls for Kajal’s split personality Kaamini to be after his life.

Just like Kajal’s bouts of madness, No Problem offers spells of fun, most of them after the break. Clearly, some jokes are drab while many others are preposterous.

The plot may appear convoluted, but who cares for logic when you are exercising your jaw muscles, even if only at intervals? Kapoor, Dutt and Khanna’s comic timing is fantastic while Rawal, as always, does not disappoint. Beach bimbette Ranaut is thoroughly annoying. Sen stands out with her ravishing looks and uproarious portrayal of a patient with split personalities.

Sub-optimal editing makes No Problem’s look problematic with the director jumping from one scene to another, like talking about different events in isolation. The audience will be able to easily catch that many scenes are shot in India as the filmmakers fail miserably to create the illusion of South Africa in those scenes.

The comedy may be forced throughout the film, but the characters make it digestible. If Bazmee’s Welcome was a laugh riot, No Problem just about manages to tickle your funny bone. The film is capable of making you forget your problems, though momentarily.