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..!
Related Articles
Comments
amish: (November 27, 2009 at 11:36 pm)
linjo: (November 27, 2009 at 11:40 pm)
Saju Dey … real movie lovers are always with u yaar… nauman give 2.5 to Kurbaan.. I can understand that he only like cartoon stupid movies… but he gave 4 star for DDD..!!! thats horrible.. i watched the movie today.. i would give 1.5 stars out of 5…!!!!Kurbaan,, Such a good movie is going to be a flop
Bristi: (November 27, 2009 at 11:49 pm)
Amish tom u go and watch..it’s really a nice movie if indicine team can give 2.5 to apkgk…so this far better…nice movie..really because of this negative publicity Akki has to suffer..i don’t know why they r doing…
amish: (November 27, 2009 at 11:51 pm)
Linjo= its my personal choice to give wateva rating i feel just as u gave 1.5 for DDD, so dont give some vague commentts on us..
u wanna fight come face to face…
bristi: (November 27, 2009 at 11:52 pm)
If ddd is a stupid movie..then mostof the bollywood movies r far from reality..very few r gd…atleast this a decent..entertainer..stress relief…
ANMOL: (November 28, 2009 at 12:05 am)
i think its wrong from indicine 2 give 1.5 to dis movie.
it desreves only 1 star.
some laughable scenes dats all in dis movie. nd dat too were simple scenes which u hv seen b4 in many movies.dis movie could hv been more funny if d story was good.
Vineet: (November 28, 2009 at 12:14 am)
Kudos to you Indicine Kudos. You rock. My friends said everything same to what you said in your review. I will not watch this…
I was till 2008 a huuuuge akki fan. Tashan and all movies this years have changed my views on him. Your last post made me realise that i have seen about 30 films this year and only 3 or max 4 were good. I have wasted about 6000 rupees if i could have save i could have bought my mom a birthday gift today.
I had thought of not watching D3 but because of paresh rawal and sunil shetty with akki i thought ill watch. after talking to friends and reading your review.. no scenes together for the three… i would have wasted more money
thanks indicine
Usman Solo: (November 28, 2009 at 12:16 am)
Another good news, but 4 Akshay kumar fans only……
B.O. update: ‘De Dana Dan’ has favourable start
- By Taran Adarsh, November 27, 2009 – 21:13 IST
Priyadarshan’s much-awaited DE DANA DAN opened to a 75% start on Day 1. The opening varied from 50% at some screens, at some plexes specifically, but was 80% to 90% at several plexes and single screens too. But the heartening news is that the film is carrying positive reports, with the audience enjoying the film. On Saturday, the business is expected to be huge, since it’s a holiday.
Heyy Nauman where are you did u enjoy? As i told u just calm everythings gonna be all right dheere dheere.
Fathiya i miss your review i hope u are fine? oh! sorry is not ur type i 4got, but pls can u say something atleast 4 my sake i am eager to hear from u. Byeeeeeeeeeeeee.
amish: (November 28, 2009 at 12:28 am)
Indicine team- der r many who post negative review without watchin d movie…;) wy not mention dat???
this yr even a classic movie would `ve not run for long… bcoz of d no.of movies comin week after week..
today in ETC der was an interview with DDD stars and taran.. der akshay tells now a days only 1st weekend business decides d fate of d movie.. not even 1st week.. so collect as much in d weekend and tats it…
Great films `ll always work??? ha ha… oh u mean kurbaan with 4.5/5..;) cool…
in d review section ppl post d comments after watchin.. so in which way r u helpin or savin their money…?
if dey find ur review gud fine.. but wy tell bad bout it without watchin… or some who want d movie to do bad bcoz its not their fav actor.. write in each website.. ofcourse i know none can change them..;)
and d movies u mentioned had a clean run , i mean open run.. for weeks so dey worked.. u just cant imagine jodha and vivah workin if it was released nw..
tellin a movie can be given 2/5 in bracket n givin 1.5 does it look gud…??? like u did here.. pls ppl never give a movie so low rating… any movie.. not tellin for this particular 1..
this movie has collected 5.5-6cr today i guess.. mainly from single screens.. this movie was for aam janta who want enjoyment.. fun…
ur reviews `ll be seen by us who mainly go to multiplex.. dunno hw u r gonna help every1..;)
aBHi: (November 28, 2009 at 12:33 am)
Indicine team,i m totally disagree wid ur rating.
movie was not damm gud and i agree on dat but it is far better than APKGK and All the best,if u see the content of d movie then it is quite gud,i wud like to give it 3/5.
only negative abt the movie was-akshya’s less presence
Nauman,i agree with ur rating as well as ur views but still not 4/5.
FullerMat: (November 28, 2009 at 1:03 am)
Someone who can give a trash movie filled with the most bizarre loopholes (Read Kurbaan) a 4.5, it hardly surprises me when they give DDD 1.5.
DDD is not a classic in any way but it still has enough gags & is entertaining throughout. Damn, if a total snooze-fest like APKGK can be a super-hit, then DDD needs to be a blockbuster.
Indicine reviews are just a joke.
amish: (November 28, 2009 at 1:20 am)
Indicine team- wen u don have anythin else to say u got ur best answer-” it was our opinion”..;) ha ha
TZP was released with welcome but it had open weeks…3wks…
Abhi told the movie s not damn gud but its gud,, so he gave 3/5. nw dont make akshays absense as a big issue and support ur rating..;) ha ha
Amit singhania: (November 28, 2009 at 2:05 am)
@nauman amish.dun worry abt reviews.ddd is going to be blockbuster,.me wid my 8frd had a blast..post interval is just too gud..when manoj josh4 throws tea on johny that was howalrious..as i earlier said movie ll collect 7 10 10 6 5 5 4 3 5 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 total 80cr..
aBHi: (November 28, 2009 at 2:37 am)
Amish
Akshya’s absence is major drawback for this movie,but u r right it doesn’t affect the overall rating,though it affect somewhat.but movie is gud without ny doubt.
linjo: (November 28, 2009 at 7:29 am)
amish… u fool i have no time to waste in quarreling with u stupid guys
sudeep: (November 28, 2009 at 8:17 am)
U can say bla n bla about movie…But fact is it was best movie of akshay of 2009…..Only thing which dissapointed me was there was less role of akshay in 2nd half…But overall entertaining movie….Boxoffice report will shut all ur mouth!!!
Punter: (November 28, 2009 at 11:07 am)
:indicine: Vivah was a good movie. dont tell me . its like a TV serial converted into a movie . ppl had enough of it so it didnt work in metros . maybe in interiors ppl still love these kind of serials so they liked the movie .
By the way i have heard that Vivah is considered a hit .is it true????
ahsan khan: (November 28, 2009 at 11:09 am)
Super movie, I loved the movie, I don’t care about Reviews
Bristi- those ppl who say al dat r really not interested in dis movie.. just to spread negative bout d movie dey say.. tats al…
its easy to make out who really wanted to watch n who not… by their comments..