Atithi Bhooto Bhava is a story of Srikant Shirodkar (Pratik Gandhi), a stand-up comedian who has a blow-hot, blow-cold relationship with her flight attendant girlfriend Netra Bannerjee (Sharmin Segal). Life takes a turn when he comes into contact with a Sikh ghost, Makhan Singh (Jackie Shroff). Makhan thinks Srikant is his reincarnated grandfather who passed away in 1975. Makhan was just a teenager then and had run away to Mumbai as he couldn't bear the twin loss of his grandfather passing away and his girlfriend getting engaged to someone else. Now, he wants to go back to Mathura to catch a last glimpse of his beloved, as he feels that's what's keeping him rooted on earth. Shrikant takes up the trip along with Netra and his bestie Sucharita (Divinaa Thackur). The road trip from Mumbai to UP teaches all three friends some necessary life lessons. They get to know the value of friendship, of family, of real love and become better people in the process. Srikant and Netra come closer as a couple as well, which might be something that Makhan Singh intended from the start.Films with friendly ghosts have been made before. Chamatkar (1992) and Phillauri (2017) immediately come to mind. Atithi Bhooto Bhava kind of continues the legacy. In an era where raunchy and toilet humour holds sway, you smile when you see a ghost getting thrown out of a car because he hadn't put on a seatbelt. Apart from the light-hearted humour bordering on the silly, the film is peppered by homilies on relationships. That too is a gag because Makhan is repeating things his grandfather had taught him to a man he believes is his born again grandfather. The film keeps it simple, with Makhan not interfering much and letting the couple iron out the kinks in their relationship mostly by themselves. It's a feel good film from start to finish where nice people become nicer at the end.
The film leans heavily on Jackie Shroff's charm. He's totally likeable as a friendly ghost. The man can surely act and plays his character with a light touch, keeping things simple, reacting to co-stars and situations, remaining true to the story throughout. What can one say about Pratik Gandhi? He's a complete actor who not only modulates his voice properly – the younger and older versions sound different – but also gets both the Punjabi and Marathi accents right. Such is his form currently that he could do no wrong. He shares an easy on-screen camaraderie with Jackie Shroff in the film, which was crucial, as he's shown to be the only one who can see the ghost. Sharmin too looks convincing as the girl who has a hard time adjusting to her man's quirks. She and Pratik come out as a real couple. Their problems are everyday problems blown out of proportion and the actors complement each other's performances. Divinaa Thackur is competent as the understanding best friend.
The film could have more fun with the ghost's character by employing better special effects but didn't take up on the opportunity. Athithi Bhuto Bhava isn't a laugh-out-loud comedy but would surely bring a smile to your face…
from filmfares
0 Comments