Personally, I’ve never understood Farah Khan’s sensibilities as a filmmaker. In my opinion, Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om were films that simply were duds. However, during a recent conversation with two fellow reviewers who simply adore Farah’s film, I realized that I haven’t given the choreographer a fair chance perhaps. In my mind, she’s always been a dancer par excellence and thus, I never thought she could cut it as a filmmaker. So I decided that I would give her 2010 offering, Tees Maar Khan, a real chance. And thus, I walked into the cinema with an open mind and heart, ready to take in and become a Farah Khan film fan. With Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Akshaye Khanna in lead roles, you were almost guaranteed a couple of not many Laugh Out Loud moments. However, is that sufficient enough to make Tees Maar Khan work at the box office and in the hearts of the critics?
Tezreb Khan urf Tees Maar Khan (Akshay Kumar) is a con artist (read: anti-Robin Hood) who is known to his mother as a film director. After managing to escape the clutches of the Indian police after he is captured in Paris, he embarks on a huge scam involving the renowned Siamese twins, the Jhori Brothers. However, TMK and his gang of three, realize this isn’t going to be an easy task and thus, decide to turn the robbery into a film set. He involves the village people of a village, his girlfriend and wannabe item girl Anya Khan (Katrina Kaif) along with Oscar thirsty and desperate Aatish Kapoor (Akshaye Khanna). Depicting himself as a prominent Hollywood director, his film hits the floor but during the shoot, the villagers and TMK form a bond which reveals his more sensitive side. And while he does get caught in the bargain, he does manage to escape the clutches of the police, yet again.
Tees Maar Khan is hardly the most intelligent movie released or made in recent time. TMK is a complete brainless Akshay Kumar film which is atypical of Farah Khan. That said, TMK happens to now be my favorite Farah Khan film. The plot isn’t smart but it definitely is funny. The jokes and dialogues, courtesy of Shirish Kunder, are smart and spoofy but yet entertaining. As a director, Farah Khan does what she does best; create over the top situations which are really unfathomable. Her execution of such a film needs to be noted simply because it is hard to make such a film with such a plot. But the problem lies with the unfathomable part of the film. But in her defense, she has never claimed to be a filmmaker who makes films which are meant to make you think. As long as an audience member, you walk in with zero expectations and realize that Tees Maar Khan is in fact a brainless film, you will walk out a lot happier. What works for the film are the one liners, the spoofs and characters that are incredibly funny.
Akshay Kumar steals the show in Tees Maar Khan. The actor manages to pull off yet another over the top character and works it. Kumar understand the comedy genre and with complete ease manages to become the ultimate soul of TMK. His chemistry with all the supporting actors is commendable and he works with all of them well. Katrina Kaif as the bimbette is hardly used but is a delight to watch especially in and as Sheila. Akshaye Khanna is simply mind-blowing! The actor plays a desperado Oscar craving actor and his “Day Ho” enactment is simply hilarious. Khan’s chelas are awesome and really work well with Akshay Kumar. Arya Babbar impresses as the local villages police inspector who really masters the rustic dialect and attitude.
As for the dances, which is an impeccable part of Farah Khan films, they all are simply average. Sheila Ki Jawani starts with a bang but really loses steam as it continues while Bade Diwala seems more like a Holi number. Disappointing.
Tees Maar Khan is not Farah Khan’s best but it definitely could have been worst. However, it is a fun holiday watch because it manages to be a complete paisa vasool film which it was anticipated to be.
