Review of Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

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Cast: Salman Khan (Prem Dilwale / Vijay Singh), Sonam Kapoor (Maithili), Neil Nitin Mukesh (Ajay), Anupam Kher (Diwan), Armaan Kohli (Chirag), Swara Bhaskar (Chandrika), Aashika Bhatia (Radhika), Deepak Dobriyal (Kanhaiya), Sanjay Mishra (Choubey), Sameer Dharmadhikari (King)

Direction: Sooraj R Barjatya

Produced by: Ajit Kumar Barjatya, Kamal Kumar Barjatya, Rajkumar Barjatya

Screenplay: Sooraj R Barjatya

Story : Sooraj R Barjatya

Music: Sanjoy Chowdhury, Himesh Reshammiya

Cinematography: V Manikandan

Edited by: Sanjay Sankla

Production Company: Rajshri Productions

Distributed by: Fox Star STudios

Release Date: 12^th November, 2015

Duration: 174 minutes

Language: Hindi

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo was a much awaited film by Sooraj Barjatya. Prem is back. Today, I realized that, I am also Sooraj Barjatya’s fan. I have loved his earlier movies viz. Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Hum Sath Sath Hain, Vivah etc. Sooraj’s USP is to show movies with family values, where individuals grow beyond their self-interest. He does project characters with a bit of grey shades, but dwells more upon the positivity, feel-good factors in his films. It could be possible that everybody may not like Sooraj’s movies. I have always loved the feel of his movies and I must admit that I loved Prem Ratan Dhan Payo as well. At the same time I will not shy away from saying that this film is far-fetched from reality. The film has larger than life canvas, a grand palatial palace, extravagant sets, songs, predictable plot etc. The hero, who gets injured after falling from height, can stand up on his feet with a small bandage on his back within a span of 4-5 days - how is it possible? The villain, who can go to the extent of attempting murder of his family member, can repent and reconcile on the spur of a moment, which  definitely is not so convincing. There is as such no suspense at all in the film. The film uses the formulae of conflicts within the family members, efforts to set things right, clear distinction between black and white, reunite the estranged family members etc. The reasons for the enmity, vengeance by the family members were not properly established, which leaves the audience with a disconnect. I was also forced to think that why Salman in his all latest movies is shown as a devotee of God as well as he is shown to be standing for a cause. Is it intentional? In spite of all these factors, the thought after watching Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is “So What!!!” This film could bring smile on lot of faces. Indeed there are moments of joy, laughter, values, family togetherness etc.

The film begins with Dilwalon ki Ramleela. Chaubey ji (Sanjay Mishra) organizes this Ramleela, who does not have any qualms in making his Ramleela team compromise with inferior materials, shoes etc. The only person, whom he listens to is Prem (Salman Khan). Prem makes a grand entry into the Ramleela venue. Prem collects a part of his income for donating it to a charitable foundation Uphaar. The connection between Prem and Uphaar is Princess Maithili (Sonam Kapoor), whom he had seen while rescuing flood victims. Prem was instantly infatuated with Maithili. He discusses his desire with his friend Kanhaiya (Deepak Dobriyal) to meet her and both of them decide to go to Delhi where she runs her Uphaar foundation. Later, when Prem comes to know that she is coming to Pritampur for the coronation of her fiancée Yuvraaj Vijay singh, he decides to go there.

Frames shift to Pritampur, where preparations are on for the coronation of Yuvraaj Vijay Singh (Salman Khan in double role). Diwan (Anupam Kher) suggests Yuvraaj Vijay Singh that his two sisters should go to station to welcome and receive princess Maithili and that is when audience gets the feel that there is conflict within the family. On Diwan’s insistence, Vijay Singh goes to meet his two estranged sisters Chandrika (Swara Bhaskar) and Radhika (Aashika Bhatia). Chandrika is not ready to interact with Vijay Singh without her lawyer Mr. Bhandari’s presence. Vijay walks out and on his way back, he falls prey to the pre-planned conspiracy and gets badly injured in an attack. While he fights his life’s battle in a secret segment of the royal fort, Prem and Kanhaiya are spotted by Vijay Singh’s close aide and brought to Pritampur. And the suspense is lifted that Vijay’s younger step brother Ajay (Neil Nitin Mukesh) is behind this conspiracy. Diwan plans to bring Prem and Kanhaiya to the fort as Vijay Singh and as an esteemed photographer respectively.

What happens thereafter? How Prem moulds himself in Vijay Singh’s role? Is he able to leave his mannerisms of a nautankiwala and become a sophisticated prince Vijay Singh. Is he able to generate seeds of love in Maithili’s heart? Is he able to reunite Vijay’s estranged step sisters – Chandrika and Radhika and bring them back to fort? Is he able to ignore his own love for Maithili for Vijay’s sake? What happens to Maithili and Prem’s love? What happens, when Maithili comes to know that she is loving Prem who is not the real Prince Vijay Singh? Does the family unite together ever, if yes, how? How does Prince Vijay react and respond to the changes which Prem has brought in? Maithili decides to choose whom- Prem or Vijay? Is Prem able to sacrifice his love for Maithili? Watch the film.

Salman is there in every frame, which definitely sets the entertainment quotient of the film. Whether it is Prem’s child-like mannerisms or Vijay’s serious character, Salman is effortless. Sonam looks pretty and fits the character of Princess Maithili. The chemistry between Salman-Sonam may not be as good as Salman-Madhuri or Salman-Bhagyashree, but they both look good together. Neil Nitin Mukesh has justified his character as an angry step brother. Swara and Aashika have also justified their characters, although I felt that Swara could have been explored more since she is a talented actress. Anupam Kher has played his character of Diwan with very much ease. Deepak as Kanhaiya has definitely done his bit. Arman Kohli fits into his villainous character. Rest of the cast is also ok. This is completely Salman Khan’s film. Rest of the characters have less screen-time. Especially, I felt that Deepak’s character could have been given more screen time, who usually displays perfect comic timing. Salman-Anupam Kher (Prem-Diwan) interactions give lot of humour moments.

Although certain songs are just average, Jalte Diye, Jab tum chaho are good. The set is well built, especially the Palace and Sheesh Mahal are very good.

Sooraj Barjatya has given a perfect Diwali treat to Salman Khan fans through his style of film-making. Sooraj has done what he is best at. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is indeed an entertainer in spite of its predictable plot and his typical formulae of family based movies in an opulent manner. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo has its own moments of entertainment. 

Rating: 3.5/5 (Good +)