Phata Poster Nikhla Hero
2013 · Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi
Original language: Hindi
- action
- comedy
The story
Vishwas, the son of a widow, wants to be an actor despite his mother's wish that he become a police inspector. However, his life takes a turn when he is is mistaken for an inspector while dressed for a photo shoot and gets entangled with a criminal gang.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated studio colour and glossy, sun-warmed Mumbai streets, with the camera moving briskly through crowded lanes, photo shoots and sets dressed in primary hues. The mood is buoyant and loud: a comedy-action film with exuberant song-and-dance numbers, slapstick timing and fight sequences that are choreographed and stylised rather than grim. Bursts of gunfire and punch-ups crop up, but the violence is brief, cartoonish and bloodless, and it never shadows the humour. The pacing is fast and episodic, with the energy rising at each musical break, and the emotional register stays light and affectionate, following a young man who is hopeful, scrappy and a little out of his depth as he grows into himself, with his mother's worry and a warm romance threaded through. It suits a Saturday afternoon, a group watch or a playful evening when you want something upbeat and colourful with no real dread. Best for viewers who enjoy masala entertainment, big dance numbers and cheerful, mildly chaotic comedy.
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