Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

Akshat Varma's Irreverent Take On 'Mahabharata' Is Priceless

Darpan News Desk IANS, 08 Sep, 2016 11:37 AM
    Among the many takeaways of "Mama's Boys", a deliciously subverted 16-minute take on the "Mahabharata" is the late Razaak Khan as Shakuni Mama egging on a debauched sodden Yudhishthir to lose money in the gambling den.
     
    Akshat Varma, who last had a blast tickling our crotch (pardon the vulgarity) in "Delhi Belly", is back with a short film that is bound to raise quite a few eyebrows. Varma's take on the polyandry of the "Mahabharata" is so rich in satire and so tongue-in-cheek. one has to be a supreme spoilsport to fault it for blasphemy.
     
    But sigh…giggle… ahem… Varma dares the unthinkable in this day and age of sanctimonious rage when saffron is the colour that determines all our moves. Here is a fantastically twisted... And yet curiously logical and rational look at the timeless mythology.
     
    It starts with Arjun (played by an endearingly vulnerable Amol Parasher) bringing home Draupadi while mom Kunti (Neena Gupta) cooks 'tindas' in the kitchen.
     
    Draupadi, as played by the radiant Aditi Rao Hydari, looks definitely more inviting than the 'tindas'. And even the Pandavas agree on that, at least one Pandava, Bheem (Arunodoy Singh) seems hopelessly horny as Draupadi at the gym (if you please!) comes on so strongly, you suspect she is not very happy with just having Arjun around.
     
    Amol Parasher as Arjun is almost as if he hopes his brothers would share instead of just stare at Draupadi.
     
     
    Yudhishsthir (played with a sinister kala chashma and an indecipherable scowl by the underrated Akshay Oberoi) couldn't care less. He is not disinterested in Draupadi's oomph. Just more interested in gambling. 
     
    Sahdev (Jim Sarbh, the terrorist from 'Neerja' brilliantly bang-on as the sardonic son who is not interested in Draupadi in 'that' way) and Nakul (Vivaan Shah) are into other things.
     
    There is a fabulously funny scene in a shopping mall where the ever-seductive Draupadi tells her giggly gal pal that she only has to deal with three lustful husbands, not five. This is said with Draupadi eyeing a male mannequin's lingerie-selling bottoms.
     
    Mama Kunti is of course the last to know. Oblivious of their preference, she tells Nakul and Sahdev that she is getting them married, to twin daughters, if you please.
     
    Sarbh, who is possibly the best of the brilliant cast, gives his mom a befitting reply. "Maa, main khushi se paagal ho gaya."
     
    We can't go that far in our appreciation of Varma's rigorously revisionist look at a revered mythology. But full marks to this long-legged luscious and hilarious short film for leaping into an arena that most would avoid in this day and age.
     
    Thankfully, some spirit survives even in this era of castrated cheekiness. And for that, this short film deserves three stars.

    MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

    Vikas Khanna takes Lata's blessings for 'MasterChef India'

    Vikas Khanna takes Lata's blessings for 'MasterChef India'
    Khanna met Mangeshkar here on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi on Monday. 

    Vikas Khanna takes Lata's blessings for 'MasterChef India'

    John Abraham New Brand Ambassador Of Arunachal Pradesh

    John Abraham New Brand Ambassador Of Arunachal Pradesh
    Actor-producer John Abraham has been roped in as the brand ambassador of Arunachal Pradesh Tourism and he says he has always been fascinated with Northeast India.

    John Abraham New Brand Ambassador Of Arunachal Pradesh

    Priyanka Chopra 'Wants It All' On 'The Man's September Cover

    Priyanka Chopra 'Wants It All' On 'The Man's September Cover
    Looks like Priyanka Chopra’s aspirations have been put forth quite well on the cover of September issue of ‘The Man,’ as it’s captioned “Priyanka Wants it all.”

    Priyanka Chopra 'Wants It All' On 'The Man's September Cover

    Son Lakshya A Gift Of Lord Ganesh, Says Tusshar Kapoor

    Son Lakshya A Gift Of Lord Ganesh, Says Tusshar Kapoor
    Bollywood celebrities Jeetendra and Tusshar Kapoor, who welcome "Bappa" (Lord Ganesh) with great zeal and vigor every year says this year its a double celebration with grandson and son Laksshya, who is gift of Ganesh.

    Son Lakshya A Gift Of Lord Ganesh, Says Tusshar Kapoor

    Sonam Launches World's Largest Lesson Programme With Children

    Sonam Launches World's Largest Lesson Programme With Children
    The actress says that a proper education can build a great future and lead a child to imbibe good qualities.

    Sonam Launches World's Largest Lesson Programme With Children

    Working On Few Collaborations In West: Manj Musik

    Working On Few Collaborations In West: Manj Musik
    Music composer and singer Manj Musik, who is currently riding high on the success on his latest party number "Lak Hilaade", says he is working on collaboration with international musicians like LMFAO, T-Pain and Snoop Lion.

    Working On Few Collaborations In West: Manj Musik