Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? - Movie Review

Cast: Ajay Devgn, Konkona Sen Sharma, Paresh Rawal

Director: Ashwni Dhir

Producer: Amita Pathak

Rating: ***
 
There is something about the films of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee. They never seem to get any older and are still as enjoyable. First they chose such beautiful topics and secondly they created relatable characters. And this is what so many filmmakers seem to be trying so hard of late. We have seen films like ‘Chintuji’ and ‘Toh Baat Pakki’ in the past one year – some good, some bad as they try doing what the legendary filmmakers did. ‘Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge’ happens to be one more effort at similar kind of cinema with simplified stories.
 
This time it is a much more experienced hand trying it. Director Ashwni Dhir is not a newcomer. Though he has made only one film before this, he has directed ‘Office Office’ – one of the most loved TV shows we have seen. He had shown his ability at satire with the show and now with ‘ATKJ’ he shows he can do more. The director takes up a very regular life situation and turns it into a very entertaining film.
 
We have seen nuclear families before as they have their wars with the joint families. However, this time it’s a guest who makes life hell for a married couple who live with their kid. Puneet (Ajay Devgn) and Munmun (Konkona Sen Sharma) and their child are a happy family with a set lifestyle. Things are just getting better as Puneet gets signed to write his first movie when an old uncle, from his father’s village, lands up at his place. Things go haywire right away as this ‘chachaji’ (Paresh Rawal) trespasses into their privacy and they can’t do anything about it. Things go terribly wrong when Puneet almost loses his career for the guest. However, they fall into place as the director weaves in a generous dose of Indian culture and values and shows how they make us better persons. And finally there is a happy ending, though quite predictable.
 
While the concept is quite universal, ‘Atithi’ also has great dialogues. It is these dialogues that keep you in splits for most parts of the movie. The screenplay could have been better though as the writers tend to lose focus at times for the sake of comedy. The cinematography is good, Aseem Bajaj showing his power again after ‘Teen Patti’.
 
Konkona Sen Sharma has perfected her act as the working wife, who hates to cook and needs the ‘bai’ more than the husband! Ajay Devgn also scores very well as the simpleton who is battling to keep things in place. But it is clearly Paresh Rawal who steals the show yet again as the villager who is oblivious to the way the urban people think. He believes in giving what he has and also accepting whatever his relatives have as his own. And he changes lives!
 
Overall, ‘Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge’ is a rather entertaining watch. It will make you laugh and giggle as you see yourself in similar situations and also move you enough to reinforce your trust in the Indian values! Make sure to be the guest at the nearest multiplex!