Phas Gaya Re Obama

It is not everyday that one comes across a movie, especially a Bollywood one, that makes you sit up and listen to each and every dialogue delivered. I, myself, am not very fond of the hackneyed plots and dances that characterizes the Bollywood film industry of today. So it was with a lot of cynicism, and actually out of boredom, that I sat down to watch the movie Phas Gaya Re Obama. It was initially the unique name that had attracted me to the movie, but there was much more to the movie that held my attention.

Directed by Subhash Kapoor, Phas Gaya Re Obama (2010) is not a mainstream production and does not boast of the page 3 touted Bollywood greats. The movie is about an NRI (Rajat Kapoor) from the USA, who returns to India to sell his ancestral house, as he has lost all his money in the recession. But his arrival raises the hopes of a failed crimal who kidnapps him thinking that he is rich enough to pay a hefty ransom. But other criminals also have plans for him.

The plot is not very complex and it is this simplicity that gives it a brilliant flavor. The story is humorous and the whole movie creates a brilliant ambience by the breathtaking performance of the actors. Neha Dhupia, who does not attract as much publicity as the other actresses, is at her best in this movie in the role of a lady mafia. Her dialogue delivery, her gestures and her stance helps her blend with the character perfectly. Supporting her in the leading role is Rajat Kapoor, another under-utilized actor in mainstream Bollywood productions. His acting is natural and he blends easily with the character of the NRI. Providing a classic comic relief is the gifted actor, Sanjay Mishra. He plays the role of the failed criminal who kidnaps the NRI. The accent, the costume and the simpleton nature of his character is sure to make the audience roll into fits of laughter. His is a memorable character.

I have watched a lot of movies and have a large collection of them. One thing I have noticed is that most of the movies that have been acclaimed as great follow a simple narrative, with a simple and straightforward plot, examples include Sholay, Sound of Music and Cinema Paradiso. Phas Gaya Re Obama, according to me, falls under the category of ‘great’. It is not just the simple narrative or the plot, but because of the fact that it enlivens the viewers and make them want more. After the movie, everyone is left with something to ponder and I am sure that if you understand Hindi, you would want to memorize a few of the dialogues. This is what makes the movie great.

The director has done a brilliant job in selecting the cast and in the way he has portrayed the mindset of the rural society and their conception of the USA. The scene where the English teacher in the rural village break out into a verbal bashing in English is memorable and a brilliant example of how English is spoken by many Indians all over the country.

That Bollywood directors and actors still have the talent to turn a simple tale into something immortal, has been proved by Phas Gaya Re Obama. Many critics may say that I am going overboard with my praises but I believe that I still have not done enough justice to the quality of the movie. If someone asks me which Hindi movies he or she should watch, Phas Gaya Re Obama will be only second to Sholay.