Andhracafe.com- NAMASTEY LONDON: Starring: Rishi Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Upen Patel, Clive Standen, Nina Wadia. Direction Vipul Shah.

Frolic with fervor.  The film comes as a surprise.It takes on a roller coaster that was a few decades ago designed by the likes of Manmohan Desai who promised you entertainment provided you did not take logic and common sense too seriously.  On to a roller coaster here speed and thrill matter and well delivered is well done. Credit is due to Director Vipul Shah for making an unpretentious film. Also the cast is so energetic and genuine that the execution is done with a clear understanding of what the end product is all about.

Manmohan Singh (Rishi Kapoor) and his wife (Nina Wadia) live in U.K. and grow to realize that somewhere they have ‘lost’ their daughter to a foreign culture. Seen from Manmohans eyes his daughter Jaspeet (Katrina Kaif) Jas for short has not only picked up the wrong culture but also the wrong things of the said culture.  The concerned parents con the daughter into a trip to India in an attempt to wean her away from Casanova Charlie Brown (Clive Standen). Helping her strategize life is the product of yet another cross culture product Imran   ( Upen Patel) who is the bad good friend with an ace up his shirtless sleeve.

On the holiday trip Jas is forced into marrying Arjun ( Akshay) the Punjab da putar.  English Mem meets Punjab da Putar  and the marriage has a No No written all over it. However the entire family ( too large for a picture) just cannot see it and the celebrations are on. The couple leave for London without the ‘Suhag Raat’
 Back home Jas revolts and says the marriage was never on. The embarrassed parents try to talk sense into revolting daughter.

Soon Arjun tells them that they may as well catch up with English Royalty and meet up with Charlie’s parents.  Charlie and Jas even get engaged in the presence of Arjun who grabs Manoj Kumar’s job of singing in praise of India on foreign shores. He even promises the condescending Britisher a copy of Purab Aur Paschim. He fakes his English and sounds like a Manorama year book leaking with details and statistics. Charmed by his seeming naiveté  Jas catches up with Arjun but makes it clear that is marriage only with Charlie. 

Arjun of course is the chivalrous suitor in waiting who is confident that his one liners are good enough to woo his lady love. Simply not enough.  Arjun not only has time slipping out but is now called upon to play Best man at Charlie’s wedding. Never mind if he gets a free tour of London for winning a rugby game.He walks up the aisle alongside his lady love at the Best Man. Papa Manmohan sulk at the wedding even as the priest asks the marrying coupe whether they would take each other  as their lawful life partner. Time for Jas to conjure up the images of the last few months and recognize the gem in the guy she refused to marry. 

Rishi Kapoor as the dad is amazing. He gets a full fledged role after a long time and does full justice. His sense of timing in the lighter moments reiterates his reputation as an actor. The lover boy grown actor is wonderful to watch and gives the film some of its best moments. Katrina Kaif is full of fizz .she may not be the greatest talent around but for a role of this kind she seems just the kind. Her energy level and sincerity make up for all other short comings.

She interprets the role with great conviction. Akshay Kumar is his usual self- energetic when called upon to perform action, accurate when asked to do light hearted emotions and perfect when serious. The guy is beginning to age on his face but yet gives a  near flaw less performance.

Above all see the film for its non pretentious superficial funny moments. Jest filled the film is not for the serious minded. It is a happening film. It is not a cross culture  statement. It is not a cross over experiment. It is a Punjab lad- Angrez lass mix match. Watch for fun.

L.Ravichander