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: ★½☆☆☆

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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355 Comments

  • Finally akki rocks..though film did good business during weekend but we wud expext to maintain the same rhythm during weekdays also so dat it will be a HIT.
    Also i feel dat PAA and RADIO will not going to give any kind of competition to DDD.
    @Indicine team,wats ur opinion on it.

  • i think since the movie has not generated the kind of hysteria it should have ..people have started saying here that they watch movie for entertainment and even if it flops it doesnt matter to them so im believing that people watch flop films only…so no need to discuss or bash this movie any further ..is film ka to waise hi dhol baj gaya hai,,de dana dan

  • @Megha,nice to see ur comment..but u seemes to b very angry wid akki..y.?
    did he take nything frm u..
    if muvie is gud means muvie is gud..kp this thng in mind..
    don’t u see the collections..

  • @Megha..

    darlin yu know..yur comments clearly indicate that you are very very very upset wit others success and cant appreciate or wish something good for someone…

    it also indicate that yur just a kok sukin ho who lives in her own bubble n thinks rest of the world actualy give a krap bout her opinion .. well.. honey yur absolutely wrong :)

    i knw yur fat ugly n hav no interest in life.. goin by number of comments yu’ve left on this page or bout this movie also indicate that yur one hell of a hypocrite, if yu reali dun like the movie y sweatin that much?? y cant yu mind yur own effin business.. who wud hav that much of time 2 splutter bout somethin they dunn like…

    wot kinda world r yu livin in?? dont yu have a joB?? dont yu study?? wuddup wif ya garl…(a fat n ugly one)

    one advise GET A LYF!!!! get off yur fart ass..find a job (i knw yu gonna crap that yu already have one but yu dont).. n do smefin useful rather than wastin webspace wif yur retarded meaninless $hitarse comments..

    g

  • NAUMAN……. i want u to see PAA this week n put ur reviews as i like all d 3 main stars of d fil (abhi,vidya n big B) n i hope dat it would be a good movie………

    Now cumin 2 akki…….. des anit-akki peoples cant do any harm to his film also not him, he has reached at a very high level dat not even his competitors can harm him 8) so no need of wasting ur(ANTI-AKKI CROWD) time in pointing ur fingers towards him……….. DHONDU BETE JUST CHILLLLLLLLLLLLLL :)

  • Yesterday here in dubai..at one of the fm (cool 94.7) rj gagan had a chat with Auro..I mean with mr. bachchan..Amit ji actualy talked as Auro to that rj..it was simply superb…his voice modulation was too gd..we felt like a 12 year kid is talking…so touchy..

    And ya at the age of 67 this much dedication except Amitji noone can provide..

    WE should salute Amitji for his dedication towards his work..brilliant..
    We must watch Paa

  • megha

    you are right.all priyadarshan movies with same and stupid commotion.the worst movie he made billubarbar.

  • SUMAIR, priyan jst made a mistake in billu-barbar dat he didnt take akki in dat oderwise he would not had a loss in dat movie……. so CONCLUSION akki is alwys better dan srk :)

  • Ya dude..u can’t believe how Amitji..talked as Auro..unbelievable..
    He used to spend almost 8 hrs for makeup ..for Pa..
    It’s really amazing no?
    He is very punctual at the set always..

  • For Amitji we should watch Pa..we should not watch by downloading torrents or by pirated cd/dvd..

    Such a nice experiment and very unusual plot..very rare in bollywood..we should support..
    Then only in future this kind of movie ‘ll be made..

  • Amish n Payal:
    did u see that scene when akki went to take money from archuna . the way when he was walking when suneil said to him that change ur walking style . his walking style was very funny.
    hahahha

  • Expectations from a film like this are very simple. One cant expect beyond being entertained and Priyadarshan is a name which can be trusted with providing entertainment. Although a few of his recent comedies were below the standards he has set for his fans, but still one can not deny the fact that he is one of the most reliable directors in this type of films. Carrying these expectations, when i entered the cinema hall to watch De Dhana Dhan, i definitely left my brains at home and when i came out of the hall after watching the movie…my thirst for entertainment was well quenched.

    I can confidently count this as Priyan’s best work since Hera Pheri. The situations are hilarious and the dialogues are funny enough to keep your jaw muscles stretched. The best thing is that the consistency of the laughable moments.

    performance wise, Akshay is better than ever before in his timing and expressions. Sunil Sethi is strictly OK. The girls have done a decent job. From the supporting cast, Johny Lever, Rajpal Yadev, Neha Dhupia and Paresh Rawal stand out.

    The characters are loud and crazy, just what one expects from a priyadarshan movie.

    Honestly speaking, lately i got a bit bored by the pairing of Akshay and Katrina. But the pace of the film didn’t let me notice this boredom over here.

    The only negative point might be the length of the film (specially the second half), but I don’t have any complaints on this front as well, as who minds extra few minutes of laughter and entertainment.

    In a nutshell, the film gives you exactly what it promises…and yet some more. One of the better comedies to hit the screen. Go for it.

    my rating: 3.5/5

  • HEY NITESH & NAUMAN, ETC…

    DDD has had excellent collections during the weekend, breaking records in CI where collections of first day are even higher than Ghajini and SIK
    Link:
    http://www.boxofficeindia.com/npages.php?page=shownews&articleid=1308&nCat=news

    Its nett figures are 6.25 crore nett on Friday, 8.50 crore nett on Saturday and 8.25 crore nett on Sunday for the opening weekend.
    (That’s ONLY the nett figures which doeas not include International collections and TOTAL Gross collections are much more, specially as the film has fetched high revenues in UK)

    India Nett figures Link:
    http://www.boxofficeindia.com/npages.php?page=shownews&articleid=1310&nCat=news

    Link for international collections:
    http://www.boxofficeindia.com/overdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=1312&nCat=overseas_report

    De Dana scored very well in International markets. It was after a long time that a film did well overseas. The first weekend business was a healthy 9.50 crore from all markets (3 DAYS). The business from major markets is as follows. The film should easily cross the 20 crore mark.

    United Kingdom – £308,029 (2.36 crore
    North America – $577,381 (2.68 crore)
    UAE – $595,000 (4 Days) (2.76 crore)

    I had gone to watch it with family and WE have ALL LOVED THE MOVIE.
    Some scenes were really very very funny.

  • SO HOWS IT NOW?????HAPPY YOU CRITICS AND BAD WISHERS OF AKKI..de dana dan is asuperhit..and still going strong…so akshay as every year he is still the king…ofcourse 2 flops,i hit –kambakht ishq,one avg-BLUE AND 1 SUPERHIT…is it enough…okay then take 2010…for all bad wishers ..4 movies are lined up..
    1.patiala house…big cast.big banner
    2.khatta meetha…again priyadarshan movie
    3.action replay…vipul shah movie with aishwarya rai[we all expect akki win best actor award for this]
    4.housefull…sajid khan and team of heyy baby…
    so seems to be akshay is on full force nexr year too…criotics and retards get ready with your stabbings and bloody 1.5 ratings!!!!!idiots.

  • THIS IS A VERY GOOD MOVIE !!

    dont listen to what other people are saying. it is a thorough entertainer from start to finish, and very very funny. in fact it is one of the better movies to come out this year. you will enjoy yourselves.

    indicine team – your review is completely wrong. if any other actor was in the lead instead of akshay, you would all say what a great movie it is. but here it seems there is a negative agenda against akshay, just because his last few films were not that good. but this film is brilliant.

    it seems that since people now have a negative view of akshay films, even though de dhana dhan is good, people will not see it that way due to the the bad image they have of akshay films. negativity breeds negativity.

    it is the best comedy this year. go and enjoy. there are some classic one liners and dialogues in this movie, never heard of before, which had me laughing into stitches !

    for example, jony lever says he couldn’t see because he had curry in his eyes (after falling face first into some c urry on the floor), paresh rawal questions – ‘ idiot. do you eat curry through your eyes or something ?’!!!!

    classic.

  • listen everyone are you all dumb or something im not biased at all and ive watched this movie de dana dun its a stupid over the top comedy i fell asleep halfway through the movie and i can also clearly see everyone commenting on here are all akshay kumar fans.. he makes about fifteen movies in one year and 1 movie out of them will be a hit.. what does that indicate duhhh im neither a srk fan or a akshay fan if its a good movie then ill rate the actor depending on his performance not coz he is akshay kumar and his made decent movies in the past. that movie de dana dun is a totally crap i dont know how you people on here are saying its a hit the critics are right this movie is a flop but people like you make it into hit by going watching it over and over again i wouldnt even waste my time watching this movie at home.. and last comment i would like to make, they spent alot of money making this movie are they having a laugh it was shot in one bloody hotel wat would be the costs for that…

  • PRAVEEN—-kiss pagal khane se aye ho ddd ko super hit keh rahe ho this is going to flop shower now this is a happy news ha ha ha ha ki and blue also flop how told you to hit any other mental in hospital

  • RAGHU I am agree with you , DE DANA DAN will be flop . After weekend days the films collections DROP hugely .

    monday = tuesday = 5.5 crore

    wednesday + thursday = 3.5 crore

    1st weeks nett collections is about 32.5 crores .

    DDD films lifetime collections will be rap under (38-40) crores .

    which is average or upper average .

  • D start was gud but den a complete rip off 4m vettam pretty disappontg nothng much 2 laugh abt. An avg mv which wil get good collctn at single screens nd den fizzle off afterwards

  • megha bashing will not help this movie …i think it has flopped already readers wishes notwithstanding ,,now see who was right…

  • RAGHU…tere baap ke ghar ke paagalkhane se aaya hoo…asshole its not nccssary to make yopu understand ffk that movie is asuperhit..okay>>>you watch yhe movie dont go with the bloody reviews you see hetre or wat that slut megha is saying….for ppl like you only i’m waiting here in indicine.com ,give me a reply i’ll give you more bashes…kaminey..aaya he baap ko padane!!!!!

  • and you MEGHA its not at all ncessary to make a retard like you understand that de dana dan is superhit..it has collecrted already 55 crores and akshay is a coproducer…meaning it s made in 25 crores..so wat all profit comes and how less it doesnt matter its a superhit and akshay in his latest interview in cnn.ibn hads told that all his movies in future[17 movies lined up uptio 2012] will also be made in this manner..its only to tackle some reviwers and post prdn rates that his movies to succed…after when BLUE COULDNT RECOVER MUCH OF THE PRDN.COST…UNDERSTAND???

  • @Megha…

    Aunty how is it a FLOP.. can you prove??

    please dunn come up wif retardass comment or figures just like indicine.. come wif some real numbers/figures and also post your source ….

    wanna c on wot basis you make claims.. n how true yu r..

  • The movie is doing very well in SA. it was given an 8/10 by all critics. we do not want to watch serious movies. comedy has a huge thumbs up.

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