Kathmandu

Good comedy makes an appearance in an unusual avatar in Bollywood — as Osama. Some want him dead, some want him alive, and some want fame, the face behind the name holds so much power that a hysterical chase begins after the name that everyone (America) dreads. This is a perfect satirical film that doesn’t make you think, rather makes you either snigger or laugh given the current situation in the world. A scene where CIA agent David DoSomething (Sikander Kher) spies on terrorists in their territory and kills them for fun, says it all. In the process a donkey is shot by mistake, suddenly an officer notifies that now PETA will not spare them.

In this entire hullabaloo there is a plot, which makes this film interesting despite of some silly aspects. Manish Sharma (Manish Paul) is young and ambitious, and he wants to be a film director. His future nonetheless is already planned as a halwaee. So what does he do? Run away to Bollywood. Screenplay of the film is worth mentioning here, in no time what a newcomer like Manish faces is summarised with precision. For Manish to be famous needs a story and he gets one when he sees Paddi Singh (Pradhuman Singh), an Osama Bin Laden doppelganger. Manish gets what he wants, but all the limelight goes to his film’s star Ali Hassan (Ali Zafar). All this goes well as long as the real Osama is alive, but a day comes when he is declared dead decreasing Paddi’s face value. This news then has a chain reaction in Pakistan, where loss of their leader means no terrorism and lack of funding and in the USA everyone asks for the proof of Osama’s death. This is how the story connects, and Bollywood, USA, and terrorists come together through ‘that’ face.

Now you may think the film is silly, but it is a satire to the system mocking terrorist, a powerful country, showbiz, and media — all of which are combined by their vested interest of money, power, and fame. It is a creative way of venting frustrations, as a common man may not be able to take things in his hand to change what’s wrong. It may seem repetitive to those who have watched Tere Bin Laden, but director Abhishek Sharma doesn’t bore the audience with Tere Bin Laden-Dead or Alive. The humour quotient plays a major role, Paddi takes the cake for this one. It’s the comic timing that tickles the funny bone. When he says “sir ji” in that typical accent, it’s like an incantation for laughter spell. Nobody could have pulled off Paddi’s character than Singh, applause to the actor.

As for other actors, there is no scope for ridicule, the entire cast has done a good job. Paul however is not remarkable, he is how he appears when he hosts shows on television. No complaints on his acting, but standing ovation will be far-fetched.

Given the plot of the flick there is no room for dancing around the trees or singing draped in designer sari. One song however is added, which is again a satire to the ongoing craze with six abs. If you still think this film is silly then perhaps such kind of silliness is essential.

Tere Bin Laden-Dead or Alive

Genre: Comedy

Director: Abhishek

Sharma

Cast: Pradhuman Singh, Manish Paul, Sikander Kher, Ali Zafar

Being screened at QFX Cinemas