Dedh Ishqiya (2014)

Well Deserved Praise

disgusting, overrated, pointless

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

The film's crackling humor, set to Bhardwaj's terrific dialogues, is its biggest strength. From laugh-out-loud punch-lines to cheeky repartee, Dedh Ishqiya has some of the most inspired writing you've seen on screen recently. Dedh Ishqiya gives the UP badlands a light cloak of humor and, to the viewer – we're happy to note – a bold reveal that is more suggested than emphasized. I'm going with four out of five for director Abhishek Chaubey's Dedh Ishqiya. Like heady wine, it delivers a welcome kick. While ISHQIYA was earthy and rustic, one gets to witness an alternate universe in DEDH ISHQIYA. There are layers to the story that baffle you. This time, it's even more dicey and perilous. On the whole, DEDH ISHQIYA is a worthy follow up to the widely admired ISHQIYA. Powerful writing, superb direction and outstanding performances make DEDH ISHQIYA a must watch. Just don't miss it!

Thankfully this sequel of the original ISHQIYA, titled in a Fellini inspired style as DEDH ISHQIYA goes way ahead and is able to impress you largely since now there is no confusion of satisfying all kind of viewers in its powerful execution and the film is purely made for a particular section of viewers to say the truth.So in case you cannot appreciate Urdu poetry and are not in love with the language, then DEDH ISHQIYA might not be the film for you. Further if you do need some routine entertaining sequences with few catchy songs or forced in comedy thrown in at regular intervals then also DEDH ISHQIYA might not be a good choice for you either. Because this is actually a film which is more involved & in love with its own characters, the ambiance and its complex story progression full of friendship, lust, love or deceit and is not desperately trying to impress the viewers with any usual tricks or compromises. Continuing with his Tarantino & Guy Ritchie kind of treatment, director Abishek Chaubey uses the same two key characters of Khaalujaan and Babban in a fresh script which has more complex characters and the element of deceit incorporated with some interesting twists and turns in a prolonged (but outstanding) climax. However what takes the film to much greater heights this time is its poetic feel, the colourful tone, a winning sophistication and a lovable charm, well presented by a rare and talented cast ensemble. As indicated by its promos, the dialogues are sharper, with many well written one liners and the film simply transports you to a different rustic world quite aloof to the glossy city charm seen in every other movie. The unpredictable screenplay keeps a gripping hold on the viewer along with a wonderfully stunning DOP and a matching background score wherein you also get to hear few precious golden Begum Akhtar's thumris and a lot more. Plus this time Abhishek plays both the unconventional humour and the sensual card quite subtly without going into any cheap mode.Coming to the performances, every single person featuring in it has simply excelled in his own assigned roles, even if he is standing right behind the lead actors in a scene like Ravi Gosain. Naseeruddin Shah, efficiently lives his role getting deep into the psyche of his lonely character Khalujaan and comes up with one of his finest performances in the recent times. Arshad Warsi is in great form once again with his comic timing and brilliant expressions and its really a treat to watch the scenes where both Arshad and Naseer are together. Huma Qureshi truly surprises you with her cunning appeal and confidently grabs your attention even standing along all the big names unarguably. In the supporting cast, Vijay Raaz repeatedly steals the show with his superb act and Manoj Pahwa also leaves a mark along with Salman Shahid.Talking about the real ISHQ of DEDH ISHQIYA, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, the lady literally makes the younger generation believe that why she did rule the industry in those past decades so strongly. In fact her delightful act of Begum Para, is surely one of the finest come backs ever seen in the Hindi Film Industry till date and she simply lives this rather irregular character like a perfectionist. For instance just try to catch the style she chews her paan with sheer elegance of a royal lady without any visible effort or discomfort. And the way she dances both within the film and in the last end credits track totally blows you over with nothing but sheer admiration for the blessed talent she has. Turning back to the film, it honestly won an extra star, the moment I saw the credits showing the name of Dr. Bashir Badr, for the entire recited poetry used in the film. And for all young friends reading this (interested in Urdu poetry), you actually haven't read a lot, if you still have not read the living legend Dr. Bashir Badr, putting it straight. So I was quite thrilled reading my favourite 'Shaayar's' name in the credits and then the reference of a fictitious poet, Noor Mohd. Itaalvi simply did the trick as it was quite hilarious to use "Itaalvi" as Takhallus in the name (as if coming from Italy). However, personally I missed three things in this worth praising sequel. One, that despite having some quality songs (perfect for the mood of the film), its soundtrack didn't have any catchy enjoyable tracks as 'Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji' or 'Ibn-e-Batuta', suiting the requirement of its two main witty characters. Secondly with such crackling chemistry between Naseer & Arshad there should have been few more fun moments in the film to make it a great joy ride. And lastly I truly missed the voice of Late Jagjit Singh in the mushaira sequence, wherein in Naseeruddin Shah recites an unplugged ghazal in tarannum. And remembering the inimitable maestro, it really would have been 'a rare get-together' of three blessed visionaries once again after almost three decades i.e. of Gulzar, Naseeruddin Shah and Jagjit Singh post their "Mirza Ghalib" days in the late 80s.In commercial terms, no doubt few hit tracks could have made this fabulous film reach much wider audience as it seems. And many may also not find it as entertaining as expected reading the great reviews. Yet the film indeed remains a must watch for all quality movie lovers who were desperately waiting for a well directed Hindi film backed up with some great writing and dazzling performances, from pretty long. To sum it all, DEDH ISHQIYA can easily be called a delicious Nawaabi feast served gracefully by all talented hosts, so be their guest for sure, at the earliest. But as they say, the possibility remains that the Nawaabi feast might not suit many having a routine appetite.

Dedh Ishqiya is a sequel of Ishqiya (2010). However the way only the characters of Munna Bhai and Circuit are carried over from Munna Bhai MBBS to Lage Raho Munna Bhai and nothing else, here only the characters of Khalujaan and Babban are carried over from Ishqia to Dedh Ishqiya.Khalujaan (Nasiruddin Shah) and Babban (Arshad Warsi) are petty thugs who normally work for an underworld don but carry out thefts and thuggeries as freelancers also. They are very much fond of each other but that fondness does not stop them from double-crossing each other for vested interests.Destiny lands this thug-duo at Mahmoodabaad which is an erstwhile princely state somewhere in UP. Khalujaan reaches there first and comes across the widow queen of Mahmoodabaad - Begum Paara (Madhuri Dixit) who has arranged a contest of Shaayari (Urdu poetry) and declared that whosoever wins the contest, will be her husband and consequentially the king (of academic importance only in democratic India) of Mahmoodabaad. Despite his advanced years, Khalujaan falls for the charms of Begum Paara (she is no longer a young lady as well) and gets close to her by his proficiency in Shaayari.The contest goes on for a few days and very shortly, Khalujaan comes to know that his principal competitor for the hand of Begum Paara is Jaan Mohammad (Vijay Raaz) who poses as a Nawaab (erstwhile prince) but actually a gangster. Shortly, Babban also joins Khalujaan at Mahmoodabaad and he falls for the charms of Begum Paara's bonne Muniya (Huma Qureshi) who, in the true sense, is Begum Paara's confidante and right hand. Khalujaan keeps on dipping deep and deep into the love of Begum Paara only to suffer a jolt of 440 volt when Begum Paara announces the result of the Shaayari contest and the name of the winner, i.e., her would-be husband.The subsequent events tell Khalujaan that the matter is not what it appears to be at its surface. The real story has been behind the curtain and thus hidden from his eyes but not the eyes of Babban. Now a disillusioned Khalujaan comes to understand how an emotional fool he has been and how he has been used for a long and intricate scheme for the sake of money. The story swinging between crime, money and sentiments reaches its conclusion after a few reels which are studded with action, thrill and surprises.The specialty or the USP of Dedh Ishqiya is neither the suspense, nor the thrill. It's soaking the complete narrative in Muslim Adab (etiquette and Tehzeeb (culture) which Lucknow is still known for (due to history, the contemporary reality may be different). Once Khalujaan reaches Mahmoodabaad after a few initial reels, the complete narrative gets soaked in Urdu language with a high level of Shaayari and the royal Muslim culture of the past. Pure Urdu has been spoken by the characters and the meaning of several dialogs is difficult to understand for those who are not well-versed with this beautiful and delicate language. However the prudent filmmaker has displayed English sub-titles in every scene for helping the audience in this regard. And it's a treat to go through all that.The script has been written with utmost brilliance. Scene after scene, the drama grips the viewer like anything. You keep on watching, holding your breath. The drama is slow in the first half but slow pace only was required according to the mood of the movie. And that slow pace only makes the spectator enjoy the things running on the screen just like the intermittent sips of a high quality drink.The story moves fast in the second half and the final few reels and studded with twists in the story, action, thrill and a little bit of suspense regarding the conclusion of the story. The dialogs spoken in literary Urdu, are the highlight of the movie and a grand treat for the lovers of Urdu language and literature.The art director has done an outstanding job by creating the aura of the Muslim culture which is the essence of this movie. The complete milieu that the spectator witnesses is simply heart-conquering.All the action and thrill sequences have been shot and presented very well. Editing is excellent despite the slow pace of the movie in the pre-interval portion. Background score is perfect.Producer Vishal Bhaardwaaj has composed soul-soothing music for the great lyrics of Gulzaar. The music perfectly suits the aura of the movie.Nasiruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi have delivered towering performances as the stock characters of this series (which should continue in future also). Especially more than 62 years old Nasiruddin Shah deserves high accolades for delivering a highly romantic performance. The scene in which he repetitively makes Madhuri utter his real name, i.e., Iftekhar is one of the most romantic scenes and the only romantic scene between lovers of advanced age ever seen in Bollywood movies. Former screen diva Madhuri is in her late forties but is still very beautiful. She has delivered a brilliant performance and her dance on the voice of Birju Maharaaj (song Jagaave Saari Raina) is enchanting. Huma Qureshi, Vijay Raaz, Manoj Pahwa etc. have also delivered extra-ordinary performances.I strongly recommend this highly entertaining movie to all those who are fond of taut thrillers as well as those who like movies portraying Muslim Adab and Tehzeeb of the bygone era.

A wonderfully shot film. I would say it was a good experience. Though a long 2 hours and 50 minute movie, it didn't feel so; as the story-line and screenplay is quite brilliant. Also the characters have been defined quite well. Usually the reason for making a sequel is banking on the success of the first or earlier release, which turns out to be disappointing and unnecessary, but it wasn't the case here."Dedh Ishqiya", is an extremely pleasant experience, plus the hilarious characterization of "Babban" (played by Arshad Warsi) is just great.Great performances by all actors; Naseeruddin Shah - great as always and Huma and Madhuri's work was equally good. But a special mention to Vijay Raaz. He just takes the cake. "Jaan Mohammad" played by Vijay, is a power hungry politician who after engulfing everything that he could, has a single point agenda, to marry Begum Para (played by Madhuri Dixit), a widow of the previous Nawaab, who wants to fulfill her dying husbands' wish that she should remarry to a poet; And to achieve this she keeps an annual competition. This is where the fun starts as Khalu (played by Naseer) disguised as Nawaab of Chandrapur, who is smitten by Begum Para (Madhuri), enters the competition, only to find a tough challenge against Jaan Mohammad (Vijay).The movie has some very well written dialogs and the overall play-out is just really, really NICE.Kudos team entire team, especially to Vishal Bhardwaj and Abhishek Chaubey.