De Dana Dhan Movie Review
Akshay Kumar’s much hyped De Dana Dhan released worldwide today and the expectations quite obviously are high. For one, the film reunites the Hera Pheri team of Akshay Kumar – Paresh Rawal – Suniel Shetty and director Priyadarshan. Over the years, Priyadarshan films that I have loved in particular have been Hera Pheri, Hungama and to a certain extent Hulchul. De Dana Dhan promises more – 25 character actors along with a thrilling water-flood scene as its climax.
Story is something, we cannot expect from Priyan’s films. But is it entertaining enough to deserve the price of your tickets? Read on..
Nithin (Akshay Kumar) works for a rich mall-owner (played by Archana Puran Singh) in Singapore. He is in love with Anjali (Katrina Kaif) and with dreams of quitting his slave-job and marrying the love of his life, he is always on a look out for a shortcut to richness. With help from his friend Ram (Suniel Shetty), the two hatch a plan to kidnap his owner’s Dog! What follows is utter chaos filled with innumerable misunderstandings and confusions.
De Dana Dhan Review
The negatives first, for a change
- The fact that Paresh Rawal and some of the other character actors have more screen-time than Akshay Kumar is simply unacceptable. Most parts of the second half Akki is locked in the wardrobe, which would be terribly disappointing for Akki fans and the roar when he is finally released, proves just that.
- Katrina Kaif has nothing to do. No role, few dialogues and the sizzling Gale Lag Ja dance number has been kept away as a bonus by director Priyadarshan for the post-weekend shows. Again, unacceptable.
- For a movie hyped as the return of the Hera Pheri team – Paresh Rawal has absolutely no interaction with neither Suniel Shetty nor Akshay Kumar. Unacceptable, disappointing and with a hint of exaggeration cruel!
- The runtime is close to 3 hours and the director has wasted loads of time in introducing all the 20 odd characters. With each having multiple misunderstandings with two of the other characters, the movies gets too monotonous in the second half.
- While you expect non-stop entertainment, the funny scenes are few and far in between. The whole marriage angle in the second half and the addition of several new characters, ruins what should have been a thoroughly entertaining ride had the director just stuck to the Akshay – Suniel storyline.
- The dialogues are strictly average. Some of them work, most don’t.
- The climax which refreshes memories of the Tsumani hit resorts, looks realistic. But what’s the whole point of the scene, to evoke laughter? Sorry it didn’t.
- What’s with the abrupt end? None of misunderstandings were cleared. Are we expecting too much here? Wasn’t it Akshay who claimed ‘Take your brains to theaters’ — After watching the film, would love to know exactly why.. ?
Its disappointing, disturbing and not one bit funny anymore! Its hard to see an actor, who you have grown to love over the years, as a part of such flicks.
Positives
- About two scenes involving Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty in the first half are funny.
- When Akshay is released from the cupboard. The scene that follows is hilarious.
- Those inhaling of chloroform scenes were funny too and performed well by all the actors involved.
- Katrina looks stunning and so does Neha Dhupia, who deserves credit for putting up the best show amongst the females.
- Johnny Lever is fantastic.
Other performances
- Archana Puran Singh – Too Loud and over the top.
- Paresh Rawal has the meatiest role. He excels in certain scenes, but average in others.
- Suniel Shetty doesn’t have much to do in the second half, but does well in the first.
- Asrani as Mamu is good.
- Sameera Reddy is purely for eye candy.
- Rajpal Yadav is very good.
- Manoj Joshi is loud but effective.
- Chunky Pandey is okay.
- Aditi Govitrikar currently locked in the Bigg Boss house looks gorgeous.
- Shakti Kapoor was irritating.
Overall, De Dana Dhan isn’t close to being as good as Priyadarshan’s ‘H Series’ (read Hera Pheri, Hungama, Hulchul) of classics. Although this review wouldn’t make much of a difference to die hard Akshay fans, it is they who will be most disappointed.
Rating: 
Other comments – Not much to say really. It was better than the other two comedies of Akshay Kumar this year and probably deserves half a star more, if not a full one. But with Akshay missing in the second half, Katrina making short appearances every 20 mins and the lack of interaction between the Hera Pheri gang.. makes it one of the bigger disappointments of the year.
Let the bashing begin..!
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Comments
RAJIB: (November 27, 2009 at 7:46 pm)
GUYS WHY R U DISCUSSING THE SAME THING AGAIN AND AGAIN . WAT WE WANTED EARLIER WAS DE DANA DAN TO BE A HIT AND IT WILL BE . WHETHER SUPER HIT OR BLOCKBUSTER DOES NOT MATTER . SO PLS DO NOT DISCUSS STUPID THINGS AGAIN AND AGAIN. ITS A HIT YAAR ENJOY.
RAJIB: (November 27, 2009 at 7:58 pm)
I THINK THOSE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT LAUGH IN THIS COMEDY DO NOT LAUGH AT ALL IN THEIR LIFE.
amish: (November 27, 2009 at 8:05 pm)
Rajib u liked it? gud.. so u `ll give it 3/5?
KING: (November 27, 2009 at 8:26 pm)
I watched ddd today mattinnee…….Most of the movie is a copy of MALAYALAM film VETTAM directed by Priyadarshan starred Dileep which also was copied from AJAY KAJOL’s(Indra Kumar directed I guess) film which i don’t remember now…..
As I watched the original first I didn’t like it that much….But every others who didn’t watch the original were laughing and clapping…But Akshay’s role is short………………..That’s the only thing i can agree with indicine team……………………..
deepak: (November 27, 2009 at 8:32 pm)
It is not at all a nice film.. Few scenes are laughable…rest average.. I would not recommend this film to my friends..I had huge expectations and went for the first show, but i m not impressed by Priyan this time. Chaotic film
anwa: (November 27, 2009 at 8:33 pm)
hey rajshri gave 3 stars de dana dan
amish: (November 27, 2009 at 8:33 pm)
Oh no…. KING kumar ka role katdiya…;) he he
Yashpal: (November 27, 2009 at 8:45 pm)
Well done Indicine Team… Great to see that you are actively participating in discussion.. This makes this website unique.. But we expect lot of improvements.. Good luck :-)
karthik: (November 27, 2009 at 8:46 pm)
Guys , As a true akshay kumar fan i watched the mrng show .My verdict for film is average…It looks as if akshay kumar is in film for guest appearence ..it looked like the film was a circus of jokers and akshay was one among them ………katrina also guest appearence…..The comedy was certainly in gaps …that to only in end of climax there were some jokes. Overall only once we can watch this movie at your own risk…Akshay Disapoints once more…
adiii: (November 27, 2009 at 9:00 pm)
hello indicine.
if ddd wiil be hit then u hv to close ur site for ever. huh!
Saju Dey: (November 27, 2009 at 9:27 pm)
respected indicine team, I am agree with you that this film has no story at all . DDD has lot of negative points which you mentioned . Just slapistic comedy film . Akki fans just going mad for one hit but it will not happen . this movie has no content . indicine team you give 1.5 star & I gives earlier 2 stars out of 5 . So we are similar reviewer thats roking indicine team . We are true reviewers . Thanx
RAJIB: (November 27, 2009 at 9:42 pm)
content wala film to box office main flop ho raha hai.london dreams, kurbaan .
kya kare yaar,
RAJIB: (November 27, 2009 at 9:49 pm)
i watched LD. great story but when i heard its a flop i just felt me as an idiot. because without any story ATB,APKGK ALL DID WELL. so guys dont look for any content just give positive sign if it entertains you.
Payal: (November 27, 2009 at 9:56 pm)
Indicine
i have watched the film by now. I was so excited since yesterday. It is indeed an entertaining film, n makes u laugh a lot but somewhere or the other i felt as if a comedy show on tv is going on. It has that feel to it
Really missed akshay post interval. Katrina has nt much role rather none of the females !
Johny is definitely gud bt shakti kapoor is just pathetic. Even suneil is monotonous.
Wel i did take my brain together and frankly climax isn’t that gud. Atleast u cn laugh for a while bt its just like laughing on someone who slipped due to a banana cover.
Well i expected it to be like hungama, the best comedy acc to me but it is no less than one two three.
Akshay did a fantastic job bt justice has not been done with his role. Movie is light, audience do laugh bt i found mixed reactions everywhere. The evening 6 pm show wasn’t that packed as during love aaj kal.
Wel i hope due to the festivities of id, the collection increase.
And nt to 4get paa. Its going to give competition to ddd. Amitji has given his best performance. The audience wil get divided .
And yes gale lag ja isn’t in the film. Disappointing again.
My expectations were much high. To b clear i m nt saying that movie is bad bt just despondent due to above points which can hinder its collections 4m monday. Fingers crossed.
Wel it deserve a 2.75
‘a 0.25 extra for johny’.
N pls indicine 1.5 isn’t fair.
RAJIB: (November 27, 2009 at 9:57 pm)
he thought if he will promote his film london dreams then he will become a grt star because it got every thing. to woh socha ise promote nahin karonga. let it be a flop.
Ritvika: (November 27, 2009 at 10:24 pm)
Nauman
The occupancy for ddd wasn’t much in new castle. Nearly 30%. Its great that yesterday it was full at parramata. And that bcos of indian audience here.
Great, u r doing hospitality management!
Well i am doing civil engineering 4m university of new castle. Studies r goin on nicely.
Rocket singh hasn’t been publicised. Music isn’t out. I am surely nt interested til nw. I gues they r planning to postpone it 4 next year.
What do u think about paa ?
RAJIB: (November 27, 2009 at 10:25 pm)
I AM WATCHING YOUR COMMENTS FRM LAST YEAR. ME AN AKKI FAN BUT I LIKE EVERY MOVIE THAT GIVES ME FULL ON ENTERTAIN MENT. ALSO I DID NT SAY ANY THING ABT CC2C TASVEER,KI,BLUE,BECAUSE SOME WAY OR OTHER THEY HAVE WEAK POINTS. BUT I LIKED DE DANA DAN , NICE SONG GOOD CLIMEX, AND AKKI. THIS WILL BE A HIT, I DONT CARE
ABT SUPER HIT, BLOCKBUSTER OR A SIMPLE HIT.
Nauman, please don’t just post about the positive reviews. Its like misleading the readers..
Hungama – 3.5
Rediff – 1.5
Buzz18 – 3
NDTV – 2
Glamsham – 2.5
Apunkachioce – 3.5
DNA – 1.5