Fukrey Returns movie review: The fukras return with a partly funny stint

Directed By:  Mrigdeep Singh Lamba
Produced By: Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidwani
Cast: Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh, Ali Fazal, Varun Sharma, Richa Chadha
Duration: 2 hours 11 minutes
Bollywood Bubble Rating: 2.5

Before I get into more detail! Honey (Pulkit Samrat) and Choocha(Varun Sharma) defecating in open, a kali naagin biting Choocha’s posture and then turning into a seductive Richa Chadha is the most bizarrely hilarious dream sequence I’ve ever watched.

‘Fukrey Returns’, however, has its share of fun, albeit not perfectly. The sequel kickstarts exactly from where ‘Fukrey’ had wrapped. Bholi Punjaban (Richa Chadha) is serving her jail sentence and is no less infuriated than a kali naagin about it. Choocha is in no break from perceiving weird dreams and the gang is in no break from minting money out of them. Laali (Manjot Singh) mostly gives in to his friends’ evil plans and is in trouble before he regrets doing so. Pandit Ji (Pankaj Tripathi) continues to be their innocuous partner in crime. Not to forget, Tripathi arguably has the best comic timing out of the entire gang.

Their comforted lives are in for a toss as the deadly Punjaban strikes a deal with an influential politician, promises to pay him Rs 10 crore and comes out of the bars. Next, she catches hold of all the four guys. Dear, what’s dearer than life? To save their own asses, we see the Fukras are making a last-ditch attempt to manage the money.

Next, their ‘business’ turns fraudulent, Choocha’s dream turns out futile, and we soon have the entire Delhi running after their blood.

What was touted to be a comedy, takes a twist and turns a semi-thriller as two politicians with two different interests appear. At the same time, these guys are chasing some hidden treasures amid the secret underground tunnels of Delhi. There’s a quick touch on chit funds, smuggling of human body parts, and oh, poaching of a baby tiger too!

Writer Vipul Vig hasn’t left loopholes to question about. ‘Fukrey Returns’ is a smooth continuation and is free of Bollywood’s mostly abrupt slapstick style. The comedy, however, is interrupted and isn’t flawless either. It is an amalgamation of humourous and unfunny moments, turning you on and off. While I like how the instances were rightly paced, the film is less of a humourous ride; and might have a few takers for the same.

Credit both to the performers. Varun Sharma is my personal favourite Fukra. He is an effortless comedian who has soaked the essence of his character with utmost ease. I think it’d be quite bizarre to have a folk like Choocha around, but Varun makes it all believable. Zafar (Ali Fazal), controlled and subdued, is a gravitating personality and is probably a bit unlike the rest too. Honey is the let’s-make-it-happen, uber cool guy who we all liked. While actors are all fine, Pankaj Tripathi deserves a special mention for his subtly put antics which take the comedy value not one, but a few notches higher.

Richa Chadha disappoints. Being the daring, win-it-all lady that she is, Richa’s character could be our takeaway from this film. Instead, Richa is unable to break free from her mannerism. Her performance is only partly effective.

Another person who deserves a special mentipn is Rajiv Gupta. Gupta plays a shrewd politcian; a canny one. He makes being bad a real thing.

‘Fukrey Returns’ might not be the laughter riot you were looking for. But give it a shot this weekend, if there’s no other plan at place.

Rest, we wish the Md. Rafi classic ‘Tu Meri Mehbooba’ wasn’t butchered!

Watch trailer below:

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.