Dec. 25, 2020|India|135 Min.|PG
Genre: Bollywood;Comedy;Drama
Description: Coolie No. 1 (2020) is a Hindi comedy film that tells the story of Jai Kishen, a matchmaker who decides to teach a lesson to Rosario, a wealthy businessman who insults him. Jai orchestrates a plan to get Rosario’s daughter, Sarah, married to Raju, a coolie who pretends to be a millionaire. However, Raju’s lies begin to unravel, leading him to create more elaborate deceptions, including the claim of having a wealthy twin. This chain of deceit results in a series of comedic misunderstandings and errors.
When Sarah’s photograph falls into Raju’s hands, it’s love at first sight for him. Determined to marry her by any means, Raju’s plan aligns with Jai’s revenge against Sarah’s father, Jeffery Rozario, who had earlier insulted Jai for proposing a match below his social status. To win over Sarah and her family, Raju poses as the prince of Singapore, setting off a charade filled with humor and chaos.
Directed by David Dhawan, this film is a remake of the 1995 blockbuster of the same name. While the 2020 version retains the original script, it amplifies the scale with a glossier presentation. Varun Dhawan steps into Govinda’s shoes, delivering a performance filled with over-the-top antics and spoofs of iconic actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Nana Patekar, and Mithun Chakraborty. Sara Ali Khan, though glamorous, struggles to match the comedic timing required in this male-dominated narrative.
The film’s larger-than-life approach and exaggerated humor make it a lighthearted watch, though it may not surpass the charm of the original.
Cast director: David Dhawan
Cast actor: Varun Dhawan, Sara Ali Khan, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Johnny Lever, Javed Jaffrey, Shikha Talsania, Sahil Vaid
Original name: Coolie No. 1