‘Ready’ (Hindi, Comedy)
Director: Anees Bazmee
Cast: Salman Khan, Asin, Paresh Rawal
Having already been subjected to the inanities of Anees Bazmee’s sense of humor once this summer, I walked into his latest Salman Khan starrer, ‘Ready’, with a certain sense of trepidation.
As it would turn out, my fears were not necessarily unfounded. ‘Ready’ is part music video, part stand-up comedy and part gag reel and plays out in an entirely arbitrary fashion. This is an out and out vehicle for Salman Khan and one would do well to relinquish hope of creative concern.
The plot, an incidental presence in this film, is quite simple. The wayward heir of a joint family must unite the warring factions of the girl’s family in the two and a half hour timeline between the rolling of the T-series logo and the end credits. Prem (Salman Khan playing Salman Khan) is the troublemaking son of the oldest of the brothers Kapoor. His character, as established by the grand Broadway musical opening number, is circumspect to say the least.
The family priest’s recommendation of marriage and a case of mistaken identities bring Sanjana (Asin, probably cast for her ability not to betray absolute incredulity at the proceedings) into his life. What lies in store is a continuous comedy of errors that on occasion prompts a guffaw or two.
One needs look no further than the chartbuster ‘Dinka chika’ to see that the film is a parody of itself. ‘Ready’ is aware of what it is and is totally unapologetic about it and for this reason it is impossible to stay mad at it.
‘Ready’ is not without its absurdly funny moments. Consider a ridiculous signboard that just reads ‘JUNGLE’ or an actor ensuring his wine is on the rocks. But if one is incapable of sitting through hours of drivel for a second of laughter, ‘Ready’ is not the film one should expend one’s time and money on.