Khichdi: The Movie

How refreshing to see a Hindi movie based on an Indian TV-series. I'm not very familiar with Indian TV-series as most of the things I had witnessed on Indian channels were those abysmal soap-operas. Unfortunately, I had not seen the series on which this movie was based. But, after seeing 'Khichdi: The Movie', I wouldn't mind trying it out.

I decided to see the film after catching the trailer. Aatish Kapadia does a fine writing job. Even though there are a few jokes that have been overdone in the past, there are plenty of original and clever ones that make you laugh out loud. The pacing sometimes slackens but it quickly picks up once you notice that it's going a little slow. The story pokes fun at several traditional Bollywood films that went on to become blockbusters but it's more of a homage than a mockery.

But the highlight of 'Khichdi: The Movie' are the Parekhs. They are one of the funniest families I've seen in an Indian movie and they provide some excellent laugh-out-loud moments. Anang Desai, Rajeev Mehta, Nimisha Vakharia and especially Supriya Pathak and Jamnadas Majethia are a laugh riot. The supporting cast contribute well. Even Farah Khan makes a funny appearance as herself.

It's good to see a refreshing Indian comedy film that could actually make you laugh out loud which has become quite rare in today's Hindi cinema. I would like to get a hold of the TV series.

When i see this movie im thinking it's simple family movie but after half hour I'm never laugh in my whole life. That movie is enjoyable with family.

Aatish Kapadia's Khichdi: The Movie is based on the popular TV series directed by Kapadia himself. I have not seen the series, but the movie is fantastic. Centring around the crazy Parekh family, it is one of the maddest and funniest Indian films I've seen in recent years. It is terribly mad, but it is terribly entertaining. It is mindless, senseless, brainless, over-the-top, insane and ludicrous, but it's just one movie that hooks the audience from the very first moment and for two hours keeps them laughing non-stop. The viewers do not have to think too much but they will certainly find themselves rolling on the floor on numerous occasions. Well, that's at least what happened to me. One thing is sure: Khichdi is silly, but it actually celebrates its silliness and thus manages to create one truly unforgettable laugh riot.

Aatish Kapadia both writes and directs this feature, and he does a good job of it. The movie is also very well cast, with every actor understanding the film's outrageously comic mood and acting accordingly. Supriya Pathak leads the film as the dumb Hansa with a terrific performance that is downright hilarious. Her screen presence is the strongest in the film; when she's on-screen, no one else exists, when she is not, you badly want her to reappear. Rajeev Mehta, Nimisha Vakharia, Jamnadas Majethia and Anang Desai play their roles excellently. What I liked about the film is the fact that it is not an unintentional comedy, it's a well-scripted picture which knows how it wants to work. To sum it up, Khichdi is an outstanding no-brainer and for me it is also quite addictive. I already want to watch it again.

The characters are heart and soul of this movie.

All make you laugh till you fall from your sit, be it Hansa, jayshree, bapuji, praful, himanshu, and all supporting characters. Each character has their own distinctive style which creates a situation that leads to fun filled scenes. Simple situational comedy that starts with laugh and ends with laugh.

Atish kapadia and JD majethiya made a superb tv series based on characters of which this movie is based. A top class writing by Kapadia and team.

A complete family movie which all can enjoy repeatedly. I hope to see a newer version of the same in future also.

Following the Western trend of making full length movies on Hit Television Series, Bollywood comes up with its own original film adapted from the famous comedy T.V. Serial KHICHDI. Based on the same theme, settings and characters, the film is quite similar to its original source and has nothing exceptional or extra-ordinary in store for its audience (especially the new ones).

In clear words, KHICHDI can be liked or appreciated by only the die-hard fans of the T.V. Serial who are already well aware of all the family members in the story interacting with each other. But for anyone who is not previously familiar with the characters and their unique mannerisms it doesn't prove to be a thoroughly enjoyable comedy as a whole.

Though the writer-director, Aatish Kapadia starts off well with a good self explanatory sequence depicting why all the characters on the screen are so dumb and weird (featuring Satish Shah as the GOD distributing Akal Ke Ladoo). But later on the film goes back to the same serial type of proceedings revolving around the topic of an inter-caste marriage between a Gujrati and a Punjabi family. Here, sadly the Punjabi family and its members are just added on to have some quick jokes on the community which doesn't work and also seem to be in pretty bad taste at times. Frankly speaking, there are still many big names in the Bollywood Industry who are just interested in using a SIKH character in their films for a comic touch and nothing else. And at the same time there are many intelligent film-makers too who boldly decide to make a sensible and appreciable film like "Rocket Singh" completely written around a SIKH character in the lead.

Anyway, coming back to KHICHDI, it has two kinds of humor or comedy. One, which is normal and can be understood by everyone watching the movie in the theater. But the second is the humor which can only be enjoyed by the fans of its original T.V. serial as they only know the reasons why the characters are behaving in their particular peculiar ways on the screen. So, the movie may work for some and may not for many who haven't ever watched or followed the Hit Television Series on which it is actually based.

However, for KHICHDI family's die-hard fans, the movie does have its own truly enjoyable moments coming at regular intervals. But it really could have been a universal laugh riot with a tighter screenplay and a better story plot. The second half insertion of a murder sequence is not impressive, whereas the court room drama in the climax is hilarious. In addition to this, the Bollywood Song Parodies being sung at a funeral, also come as an enjoyable surprise (though may be considered weird by many).

Performance wise, the actors in their famous getups and characters have nothing more to offer than the usual, as seen in the serial. Still their comic timing and the unique dialogue delivery style is superb. Supriya Pathak takes the credit of the best performer in the family, brilliantly supported by all and both Farah Khan & Satish Shah remain truly entertaining in their guest appearances. Musically the film has nothing in its kitty but the Cinematography is fine with very colourful sets and backgrounds.

On the whole, KHICHDI may entertain its true small screen fans, who have been watching the serial from years, but for the others it might not serve the purpose.