Dedh Ishqiya Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi, Madhuri Dixit, Huma Qureshi, Vijay Raaz
Director: Abhishek Choubey
Runtime: 145 Minutes
Beautiful Urdu poetry, the nawabi culture, Great Music and strong Humor is what binds Dedh Ishqiya together even with small lapses in the tempo. For the same reason, couldn’t match the stature Ishqiya continues to have but is still entertaining in more ways than one.
Naseeruddin Shah-Arshad Warsi, a suave combo, with the bonding displayed perfectly under the direction of Abhishek Choubey.
[Check out another Naseeruddin Shah’s movie review]
Vijay Raaz fills in with his magic and stands out among the cast.
At the same time, you also have the ever mesmerizing Madhuri. Huma Qureshi gives Arshad Company by playing the role of his leading lady. Pack it all up with Urdu-rich dialogues and you have Dedh Ishqiya entertaining you.
Pack it all up with Urdu dialogues and you have Dedh Ishqiya trying to entertain you.
The plot revolves around Begum Para (Madhuri)’s Swayamvar of sorts through a Shayri competition. Khaalu (Naseeruddin), Jaan Mohammad (Vijay Raaz) being the competitors for the coveted position of becoming Nawab. Babban (Arshad) joins in the party to catch hold of Khaalu who seem to have ran away after taking away their “prized catch” in a theft all alone.
The story has its many predictable twists but with the addition of humor, playful romance delivered with impeccable Urdu dialogues brings in the rush. One scene where Vijay Raaz’s men and Khaalu-Babban get into a fight is hilarious in its approach. The
One scene where Vijay Raaz’s men and Khaalu-Babban get into a fight is hilarious in its approach. Not to be mistaken, the humor isn’t aged but includes iPhone, IRCTC’s wait-listing dilemma, etc which are intelligently made use of to give a fresh feel.
Just watch this video!
Casting and dialogues are perfect while the screenplay runs smooth too. Occasionally when it tries to dig deep down the emotional corridor, ends up missing the flow and falls short of being the dark-in-parts-comedy it could have easily been. The humorously crafted scenes throughout the length of Dedh Ishqiya do bring the flow back and this is what makes the film entertaining.
The music in Dedh Ishqiya has been given by Vishal Bharadwaj, which is soothing and follows the similar theme as its prequel. A peppy number in Horn OK please and soothingly romantic Dil ka Mijaaz later.
On the whole, Dedh Ishqiya doesn’t go beyond the magic created by Ishqiya but as a separate movie in itself is entertaining and keeps you asking for more from the ensemble of its cast.
I’m going with a 3.5/5 for Dedh Ishqiya. It isn’t perfect, but would do.