Cast: Imran Khan, Kunal Roy Kapoor, Vir Das, Poorna Jagannathan, Shenaz Treasurywala, Vijay RaazDirected by Abhinay Deo
Rating: ***
Very rarely we come across a film that disgusts and delights in equal measure. A film that has us crinkling our nose, yet sticking a thumb up for approval. Delhi Belly is one such film. And though many of us feel, we're too old for potty humour, we're not. As you would imagine, Delhi's Belly manifests an upset stomach, rumbling constantly, warning you of its ominous contents. This sound can be roughly translated in words, by the song, 'I want to break free' by Queen.
The storyline is fairly uncomplicated for films in this genre. Parallel stories collide at certain parts but it seems natural and not Kukunoor-ish. The film is about three Delhi bachelors, Tashi (Imran Khan), Arup (Vir Das) and Nitin (Kunaal Roy Kapoor), living in (by far) the filthiest bachelor pad constructed by any set designer ever. Professionally, Arup is a cartoonist for an ad agency (weren't they called illustrators?), Tashi is a diligent journalist and Nitin is his photographer. Like every self-respecting bachelor, our lead trio has a sheer contempt for any household work and their landlord. Their routine life gets sticky once they get their shit mixed up (literally!) and deliver a wrong package. And just for fun, the wrong package is a stool sample!
Like 'Snatch', diamonds are the object of everyone's desire here too. But unlike 'Snatch', we just have one group of scums hunting for them that is headed by Somayajulu (Vijay Raaz). While they're on the run, they're joined by Menaka (Poorna Jagannathan) who hints on a subliminal relationship with Tashi but he's already going steady with doll-faced Sonia (Shenaz Treasurywala). Thankfully, this doesn't culminate into a love triangle.
A lot of people get seriously injured, a ceiling collapses, a few cars are dented but when you see a man with a live firecracker sticking out of his bum, you can hardly help yourself. Also you have Nitin taking dysentery to a level where the sound produced cannot be replicated by blowing into one's hand.
An aspect this film blatantly ignores is that our lead trio doesn't demonstrate Delhi-speak which is using voluminous and imprecise expressions in an idiotic fashion to say anything. But what it loses out in manner of speech, it makes up in visuals, as you see Delhi in its smuttiest and most deplorable avatar.
Among the cast, Vir is clearly the most talented and entertaining of the three and Imran is the least. Poorna is vivacious and lights up the screen with her personality and Shehnaz is, well, forced into ill-fitting clothes.
'Delhi Belly' is well-paced and the screenplay is cleverly woven to hold your attention and interest through the 96 minutes of its runtime. And although most songs are just used as a background score, 'Jaa Chudail' picturised on Vir's failed relationship is hilariously crazy.
This film may not be appetizing for all, but it surely has an appetite for potty sounds. A farting blockbuster for sure!
