TICKLING YOUR BELLY

A word of caution at the very outset. For all those ‘hopeless romantics’ out there who believe that ‘Delhi Belly’ is going to revolutionise Hindi films are bound to be heartbroken. We would still make those mindless comedies and follow them up with sequels, bombard our audience with over the top action flicks and continue robbing the average middle class audience on the pretext of being ‘international’.

In the midst of the usual crass that hits the theatre every alternate Friday, ‘Delhi Belly’ is like a lease of fresh air. But only in a metaphorical way, as ‘Delhi Belly ‘unfolds in a derelict apartment amongst three friends; Tashi, a reporter waiting for the big leap in his profession(Imran) , Arup,a disinterested cartoonist trying to survive office blues( Vir Das) and Nitin, photographer trying to battle frantically against the sudden attacks of diarrhoea , which the British famously termed “Delhi Belly’’ . And while these three disoriented yet unique characters are struggling desperately to pay their rent, they land up in the middle of a smuggling racket, courtesy Tashi’s ever nagging fiancée(Shehnaz Treasury).

The plot is not inventive to say the least, but a tight script by Akshat Verma duly complimented by crisp editing makes it a refreshing watch. As warned by the filmmakers at every possible juncture during the promotional events, ‘Delhi Belly’ is replete with expletives and innuendo. But nowhere does the film denigrate to being crass as the narrative holds it and at the end of an enjoyable 90 minutes, its money well spent.

Delhi Belly derives its greatest strength from the effortless and spirited performances by  the protagonists. Imran Khan plays the role of a reporter stuck between a dead-end job and an ever nagging fiancée with aplomb, while Vir Das strikes a chord with his natural yet understated histrionics. Kunal Roy Kapoor gives a stellar performance as the photographer afflicted with a serious stomach condition and may have already booked a spot in the Best Supporting Actor Category in all major award ceremonies next year. But, in my opinion it is Vijay Raaz who steals everyone’s thunder with his rendition of the role of a stoic gangster who conjures up all the ‘shit’ in the lives of our protagonists. He truly is one of the most underrated actors of the industry and deserves a lot more.

Abhinay Deo, whose maiden venture ‘Game’ was a disaster at the box office has been vindicated, and his direction exudes a fair amount of freshness and conviction. The music which is already a rage propels the movie ahead wonderfully.

 In the end, just when you thought the credits have started rolling, and its time for you to make a move, you’d be bombarded with another shocker, which in every fairness, would make you, ‘shake that biscuit’.