The latest comedy from Priyadarshan promises to be a real riot with great performances and fresh faces.
Prolific director Priyadarshan is back with his latest venture, Mere Baap Pehle Aap, continuing to cash in on the current comic trend in Bollywood. Priyadarshan has teamed up with Akshaye Khanna once again after Hungama and Hulchul. However, as usual, the film's (which co-stars Genelia D'Souza) spotlight will be on Priyadarshan's lucky mascot, Paresh Rawal, who will be supported by Om Puri.
Another remake
Priyadarshan has made a career remaking Malayalam hits and he once again resorts to the same trick for Mere Baap Pehle Aap, which is a remake of the Malayalam hit Ishtam.
Khanna and Rawal will be reprising the roles of Dileep and Nedumudi Venu respectively from the original.
Janaradhan Rane (Rawal) plays a widower who is on the lookout for a life partner, but is frightened of his son Gaurav (Khanna), who has taken on the responsibilities of his father. Gaurav treats his father like a child and tries to stop him from meeting his prankster best friend Madhav Mathur (Om Puri), another divorcee. Gaurav and his girlfriend Sheekha (D'Souza) get together to hook up Janardhan with Sheekha's guardian Anuradha (Shobana), who happens to be Janardhan's first love. Khanna seems to be very confident of the film and told journalists, "This is going to be my best film with Priyadarshan."
Fresh female cast
Khanna, Rawal and Puri have previously acted with Priyadarshan and there is no doubt that they will deliver. But the surprise additions to Priyadarshan's camp are the female stars D'Souza and Shobana.
D'Souza makes a strong comeback to Bollywood after a sedate debut in Tujhe Meri Kasam opposite Riteish Deshmukh. She followed it up with the hit Masti before moving to South Indian films, where she is ruling the roost with many hits. Besides Mere Baap Pehle Aap, D'Souza acts opposite Imran Khan (Aamir Khan's nephew) in the much-awaited campus flick, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.
Shobana is one of the most talented Malayali actresses and has won the Indian National Award twice – the first for Manichitrathazhu (remade as Bhool Bhulaiyya) and second for Mitr, My Friend. Considering Shobana belongs to the same Indian state (Kerala) as Priyadarshan, it wasn't difficult for him to sign her for a hilarious role opposite Rawal in Mere Baap Pehle Aap.
Weak musical score
Priyadarshan has also managed another casting coup by signing the highly talented Nasseruddin Shah for an important role. With a proven subject and talented set of actors, all the film required was a hit soundtrack.
Unfortunately music director Vidyasagar disappoints. Apart from the title track, none of the songs makes an impact. But that shouldn't be a problem for Priyadarshan as he managed to pull off a big hit with Malamaal Weekly, which had a bad musical score. Priyadarshan will be hoping for Rawal and Puri to repeat their magic in Malamaal Weekly.
