Cast: Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Bipasha Basu and Rimi Sen
Music: Himesh Reshamiya
Direction: Neeraj Vora
Fitting sequel
Neeraj Vora is definitely not Priyadarshan. But that doesn’t mean he’s bad! His writing and direction is aimed at the masses and he has been faithful to Phir Hera Pheri by making the characters look and behave exactly the way they were in the first part.
Hera Pheri ended with the trio (Raju, Shyam, Baburao played by Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal respectively) receiving a hefty sum. So what did the trio do with all the money? Did they live happily ever after? Or did they become greedy for more?
Phir Hera Pheri takes off from this point. Raju comes across a scheme of doubling his wealth in a matter of weeks. But for Raju’s plan to materialise, he needs to invest a minimum of Rs. 1 crore with a chit-fund company
(Bipasha Basu).
Though Shyam and Baburao are initially reluctant, they give in subsequently. Raju, Shyam and Baburao contribute Rs. 10 lakh each, but there’s a shortfall of Rs.70 lakh now to complete the Rs. 1 crore. Raju bumps into a street-smart goon (Rajpal Yadav), who also contributes Rs. 20 lakh.
As for the remaining amount of Rs. 50 lakhs, Raju sells the bungalow (owned by the three) to a Parsi gentleman (Dinesh Hingoo), thus fulfilling the criterion of the chit-fund Company.
Three weeks later, Raju, Shyam and Baburao realise that the company was a big scam and has duped a number of investors. The goon also finds himself in trouble as he had borrowed money from a dreaded gangster, Tiwari (Sharat Saxena), who will finish him if he does not pay back the borrowed sum.
In their quest for greater wealth, Raju, Shyam and Baburao find themselves in a big mess. They have already taken a big risk and are now on the run to save their lives.
The plot isn’t strong, but again when did one last notice plot or logic while watching a comedy? Johnny Lever as a wannabe don and Rajpal Yadav add to the laugh riot.
Suniel Shetty and Akshay Kumar are okay and Paresh Rawal as the eccentric and lovable Baburao is as outstanding as ever. But, even though Bipasha Basu has a role in the story, Rimi Sen’s presence is hardly felt. The film has lots of twists and turns and the ending promises a Hera Pheri 3.
Himesh Reshamiya has done it yet again! This music director- turned-singer is on a roll with absolutely no sign of stopping. Songs like “Kitne armaan” and “Aye meri zohrajabi” are topping the charts.
Though some might feel the original movie was better, there is no dearth of viewers who have just the opposite opinion. Phir Hera Pheri is a great film to watch with friends and family. Don’t miss it!