Some people were calling it the biggest release of the decade and others of the millennium. Some even claimed it to be Salman’s best film ever. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (PRDP) just doesn’t meet any of those expectations.
The film begins with a Ramleela (stage performance of the Ramayana) being performed in Ayodhya by a group of artists. The noblest of them all is Prem Dilwale (Salman Khan’s 1st character), who worships Princess Maithili (Sonam Kapoor) and her charitable work which she does through her Uphaar foundation. All his earnings are donated to Uphaar foundation. He decides to meet Princess Maithili at the coronation of her fiance Prince Vijay Singh (Salman in 2nd character) in Pritampur. Incidentally, Vijay falls prey to his wicked brother Ajay’s (Neil Nitin Mukesh) and relative Chirag’s (Armaan Kohli) evil plan. As Vijay recovers from his near fatal injuries, Pritampur's Diwan (Anupam Kher) asks Prem to play Prince Vijay for some time. Prem realizes that Vijay’s life is a mess and he is not a noble man. In Prem’s words- “Yuvraj lukho hato”. So, he unwinds all the mess of his relationships, starting from his relationships with Princess Mathili to his two sisters who don’t even see eye to eye with Vijay. All the while, he spreads the message that relationships are above all worldly pleasures.
The film has a lot of similarities from earlier Bharjatya earlier films Maine Pyaar Kiya (MPK), Hum Apke Hain Kaun(HAHK), Hum Saath Saath Hain (HSSH) and Vivaah- grandeur, lot of colors (remember Madhuri Dixit’s blue saree in Didi tera devar? Doesn’t it resemble the blue sherwani worn by Salman in Prem Leela?), internal enemies, jealousy, societal pressure (Mohnish Behl in MPK vs. Armaan in PRDP), ideal values and lots of songs with meaningful lyrics (no item songs).
(Salman's characters named Prem in MPK, HAHK and PRDP)
Salman Khan performs well and this film gives him both his comfortable genres- comedy and action. As Prem Dilwale, he is idealistic and fun-loving and as Vijay, he is the angry young man who fights with a sword. Sonam Kapoor looks grand like a princess and her sober demeanor goes well with her character. She ably and swiftly fits into the simpleton princess with traditional values and a modern girl who is comfortable in short dresses and western clothes. Anupam Kher as Deewanji reminds you of his character Mandhaari of Saudagar-the savior and the well-wisher who tries to end the family feuds. Deepak Debriyal reminds you of Salman’s accomplice Lakshmikant Berde in MPK.
Deepak’s performance brings some mirth in the film. Sanjay Mishra has a small role as the head of the RamLeela group but does a splendid job with his comic performance. Wish he was given more screen time! Swara Bhaskar as the agitated stepsister Chandrika of Vijay performs well. So does Ashika Bhatia as the younger stepsister. Armaan Kohli in his black suits and black shades reminds of his dark role in Jaani Dushman.
Himesh Reshamiya has composed the music for PRDP. Some songs like Ram Leela, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo and Jalte Diye are already blockbusters. Lyrics by Irshad Kamil are meaningful and are written keeping in mind the plot of the story.
What doesn’t work well is the plot and some glitches- the flood relief scene with smiling faces, the feudal event turning to football match, the fragile and ever breaking mirror palace etc. All these are indigestible. The biggest indigestible thing about PRDP is the super idealistic Prem who sets out to help Vijay, his family and Princess Maithili and the slow motion Ramayan inspired dialogues of the film- “Seeta wohi karegi jo Ram kahenge!”
What Bharjatya sets out to do is mask Ramayan and give it a Bollywood flavor. What he does is makes an over idealistic film way behind it’s time! For people who think the current cinema is polluted and dark and miss the value based films of the 90s, this film is for them. Go with your family and watch it on this long weekend. For the rest, wait till it comes on television, which most likely be soon.
FYI- The film will is also releasing in Telegu and Tamil versions as Prema Leela and Mei Maranthaayo Anbe.
