Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge Movie Review

When actors like Paresh Rawal, Ajay Devgan and Konkana Sen Sharma come together under the director (Ashwini Dheer) of the hit-television series Office Office, it does create enough curiosity around the film to catch it first day first show. Also, we loved the poster and the pre-release trailers.

The plot of Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge is simple and something most of us can easily identify with. The movie revolves around three characters – Puneet (Ajay Devgan) who is a script writer, his wife Munmun (Konkona Sen Sharma) who is a interior designer and the athiti Chachaji (Paresh Rawal). Although their life was a routine, Puneet and Munmum didn’t seem to have any issues until a relative comes along. From the time Chachaji enters the scene, he begins to spread his gyan and creates mayhem. He becomes an annoyance to most in and around him and so Puneet and Munmun begin to plot ways to get rid of him. But all their efforts go into vain since no hint seems to be enough for the old man to understand and get himself out of the house.

Director Ashwani Dheer’s Athiti Tum Kab Jaoge boasts of the old age charm of family love and sentiments with a comical touch to it. It is a simple and subtle film that conveys a much needed message for the generation today – “Love thy elders” and “Athiti devo bhava” With a good dose of devotional quotient attached too, the film is a balance of comedy and sentiments with subtle dialogues, everyday situations and clever amusing satires that convey the message without being too preachy. The characters are easy to relate to and the familiar quirkiness in situations is heart-warming making Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge a wonderful watch.

However the film has its share of flaws too. The repeated ‘farting’ tends to get disgusting over time. The movie tends to get mundane and few scenes could easily have been edited off to make it a better watch. Like the couple with their child getting caught in a hotel raid and the scene at the police station after that.

The first half is spent in introducing the characters and the fast track life that the couples of today lead. It then divulges into how the prolonged stay of a guest turns from bliss to pain. Especially when the guest is older by age and comes from a village completely unaware of the walks of modern life. The second half, with a bit of cinematic liberty, has some far-fetched scenes that hints down the charm of the film. However, the climax comes as a surprise.

The film has more songs with a devotional angle, however, the devi song spoof of Beedi Jalaile (Bipasha Basu’s Hit item number) is hilarious. Dialogues by Ashwni Dheer are excellent and cinematography is good.

Paresh Rawal is a scene-stealer here and is just about perfect for the chacha’s role. He is at his natural best and so amiable as an old man. After his role in Hera Pheri, this would be yet another role he would be most remembered for. Ajay Devgan seems to be liking the comical side of him. He is just getting better with each comic role and also, his expressions have improved considerably from the Golmaal 1 days. Konkona Sen Sharma looks absolutely lovely and is very good as a modern working wife.

Overall, Athiti Tum Kab Jaoge does not promise hardcore comedy but is a light-hearted warm family – entertainer. A good one time watch.

Rating: 2.75 stars