Hungama 2 is a 2021 romantic comedy film by Priyadarshan. The movie features Paresh Rawal, Shilpa Shetty, Meezaan Jaffrey, and Pranitha Subhash in lead roles. The movie is loosely based on Priyadarshan’s 1994 film Minnaram. It is the comeback movie of Shilpa Shetty, who is returning to the screen after fourteen years.
Hungama 2 premiered on Disney+ Hotstar on 23 July 2021. Click here to watch.
The movie also features Rajpal Yadav, Ashutosh Rana, Tiku Talsania, Manoj Joshi, Johnny Lever, and Akshaye Khanna.
Hungama 2 is not the sequel of the 2003 comedy film Hungama. Priyadarshan is returning to Bollywood after an 8 year-long gap, and his last Bollywood movie was Rangrezz. The last time we saw Shilpa Shetty in a Bollywood movie was in the 2007 sports drama film Apne.
The movie was scheduled to release in August 2020, but the release was delayed due to the Covid-related restrictions. It led to the delay in shooting as well. The shooting of the movie could only end in February 2021. As a result of the restrictions, the movie was released on the OTT platform instead of in theatres.
Anu Malik composed the songs for the movie. The songs in the movie include a reprise version of Chura Ke Dil Mera and Hungama Ho Gaya sung by Mika Singh and Anmol Malik.
As far as the critics are concerned, the movie seems to have fallen flat on the expectations. The maximum rating that the movie has got is 2 stars. NDTV has given it just 1 star, whereas The Indian Express has given the movie. Hindustan Times Samrudhi Ghosh went on to give the movie a negative review. “Priyadarshan’s chaotic comedy-of-errors is distressingly dated,” says Samrudhi.
Priyadarshan has a reputation for coming up with crackling comedies, but he seems to have missed a trick this time. The ending looks confusing, and the story fails to establish a connection.
The movie starts with Vaani (Pranitha Subhash) coming to the doorstep of the Kapoor’s with a toddler. Vaani brings with herself a storm as she claims that the toddler is Akash’s (Meezan) child. Akash claims that he is innocent and looks towards Anjali (Shilpa Shetty) for help. This is when Paresh Rawal enters the scene as Anjali’s husband, Radheshyam. This invites further drama as Radheshyam thinks Anjali is having an affair with Akash.
Also Read, Toofaan: It came and it but we Felt no “Toofaan”
The movie may be loosely based on the 1994 film Minnaram. Still, the makers didn’t have to carry forward the technologies and equipment used in those days in an age where missiles can be launched over a smartphone.
For example: as pointed out by HT, Akash tries to expose Rani with a tape recorder. Vaani keeps on repeating that she is the wife of Akash just because she has a toddler with her. The makers could have easily done without all this 90’s stuff. To be frank, it looks like a thing of the past.
There are a lot of inconsistencies and loose ends to be spotted in the script. When it comes to acting and screen presence, Ashutosh Rana brings out his top game. There are some loose ends in representing his character, but he is the last one to be blamed for that. The songs in the movie are entertaining, though, and Shilpa Shetty does impress with her moves.
To be blunt, Shilpa Shetty could’ve chosen a better movie to make her come back. This movie did spoil what could’ve been a stellar comeback. But actors are what their characters make them. But it’s a bigger disappointment for Priyadarshan, who waited for 8 long years to return to Bollywood.
The movie doesn’t meet the expectations, many of whom would have mistaken it for a sequel to Hungama. The story of a man landing in trouble after his ex suddenly appears with a child sounds interesting and entertaining enough. Still, the screenplay fails to compliment the plot. In whatever small role Rajpal Yadav gets to play, he doesn’t fail to entertain and brings laughter just like always. The music is getting popular just like any dance number. Still, to be frank, it’s better not to talk of creativity and Anu Malik’s music in the same sentence.
