Before you assume that this ‘Khoobsurat’ is a remake of the classic 1980 Rekha starrer, which goes by the same name, wait and take a reality check. Yes, this one’s way too different in terms of treatment and screenplay. Shashanka Ghosh directed ‘Khoobsurat’-The Royal Misfit, is as good or real as Disney films are (if you have seen ‘The Princess Diaries’ or ‘High School Musical).
The only similarity with the Rekha starrer ‘Khoobsurat’ is the basic plot of the film, where we are welcomed into a house, which strictly abides by its own norms and rules. The word ‘discipline’ is sacrosanct, and nobody ever dares to question a certain Mrs Niramala Devi (earlier played by Deena Pathak, and now reprised by her daughter Ratna Pathak Shah).
The film unfolds in a manner, where you get peek-a-boo moment into a completely contrast Punjabi-cum-Bengali household (needless to say who dominates), and Kirron Kher, who plays Sonam Kapoor aka Mrinalini Chakraborty’s (Mili) mother. Mili, is a sports physiotherapist, who has successfully treated the biggies from cricketing arena-such as MS Dhoni and Virender Sehwag. In short, she is the best in her job.
It was refreshing to see Sonam’s acting according to her character, and full marks to the director for that. A little bit of her own personal touch was quite visible in the role-play of ‘Mili’.
Enter ‘miss royal misfit’ into the Rajwada ‘khandaan’, where she has to treat Shekhar Singh Rathore, the ‘raja’ himself, played by Aamir Raza Hussain. The cool doc that Mili is, comes as a shocker and disbelief to all present. Her loud-mouth dialogues, quirky dressing sense and unique mannerisms take a toll on the poor (pun intended) Royal gharana. Ghosh has very carefully tried to keep this ‘Khoosbsurat’ at a different pedestal than the original one, as comparisons are bound to arise, and she has been somewhat successful in doing so.
How can the ‘oh-so-dashing’ Pakistani import Fawad Khan aka Vikram Singh Rathore be not talked about. We all knew from ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’ that he could act well, but in this film he shines above everyone else and how! The man is here to stay, and his acting skills are immensely polished and not over-the-top. Fawad fits into the shoes of the royal Prince Vikram with such ease, that it becomes difficult to take eyes off him (sigh).
Well, special mention needs to be given to the music composer Sneha Khanwalkar, who has brought in the right kind of peppiness into the film, with her fresh beats. The introductory song, ‘Maa Ka Phone Aya’ sung by Priya Panchal and Mouli Dave might at first startle you, but I am quite sure soon you are going to hear that ringtone buzz around you.
Besides great music, the costumes are bright and colourful. The designer has done his job too well and the precision shows on screen. Also, how one can’t mention the typical loud Punjabi mother Manju, played by Kirron Kher here. The camaraderie between Manju and Mili is laugh riot, and the filmmaker has made sure the jokes reach out the audience across all age groups.
The movie is filled with many fun moments and does not compel you to be prepared for a hard-hitting melodramatic journey. Overall, a light, bright and colourful cinematic experience, with Fawad as an eye-candy, who knows his job to the ‘t’. – Agency
