Movie Review: Money Hai Toh Honey Hai
Priyadarshan and David Dhawan triggered off a trend, of making brainless comedies, and thus began a wave of leave your brains at homw laughthons. Inspired by the success of these ha ha he he fares, every second filmmaker decided to join the bandwagon for that exclusive Hit. But, of late, no brainer comedies have reached a saturation point.Ganesh Acharya’s latest comedy release “Money Hai Toh Honey Hai” actually tests the patience of the audience. Fine, you do not expect a riveting storyline from a movie of this genre, but you definitely expect laughs, do not you? You expect to be entertined, do not you? You expect to be entertained, do not you? Alas! what you get to see is definitely not good, not even bad, it’s very boring movie. In his debut movie “Swami”, Ganesh Acharya proved that he knows his job very well, but what is this? How did the makers okay the script (writer : - Muazzam Baig) in the first place? What did the actors see in this script? Did they want to be a part of a mini multistarrer for the heck of it?
The movie “Money Hai Toh Honey Hai” is like flying in an aircraft without a pilot. You do not know where it’s headed. The movie should have been edited better. The director takes his own time to introduce each character, parts of which should have been cut down. The story finally starts only in the second half.
Timepass comedy flick “Money Hai Toh Honey Hai” deals with six characters, Bobby (Govinda) is a happy go lucky guy, who runs away from home to prove himself. Lala Bhai (Manoj Bajpai) becomes wealthy, but he is back on the road as his business fails and he loses all his money. Gaurav (Aftab Shivdasani), a copy writer, is fired from his job. Manik (Upen Patel) is a struggling model whi sleeps with a middle aged fashion designer (Archana Puransingh), hoping to make it big. Ashima (Hansika Motwani) is a successful TV star, but she is not happy with her career and is desperate to do movies as the lead actress. Shruti (Celina Jaitely) is a struggling dress designer.
One one fine day, they all get an SMS informing them that they are the owners of a 1,000 crore comapany. However their happiness does not last long for the lawyer reveals that there is a loan of 1,200 crore on the company and they must repay it and until the loan is repaid, they would be kept under house arrest.
The story sounds interesting on paper, but on celluloid, it is non existent. Prem Chopra picks up random cellphone numbers and makes them calls. He wants them to inherit his fortune. But the whole first hour is devoted to why they became losers. It is only at the interval point that you expect the story to begin. But does it take off? Nope!
Instead of sticking to the core issue, the meanders into meaningless sub plots, whichonly add to the boredom. The finale at the fashion show (well choreographed by Achala Sachdev) is intereting. But by then you are exhausted and want the movie to end.The movie is not all about comedy, as you might expect from a Govinda starrer. It has a heavy dose of drama in the second half, which makes you only bore.
The writer of this movie is the biggest culprit. The writing touched a new low with this movie. Ganesh Acharya tries to pack in funny sequences, but just two bring a smile, the Archana Puransingh & Upen Patel track and Govinda’s encounter with a Vijay Mallya look alike, who is surrounded by a bevy of beauties. But the movie has its moments, like the ones when Mukti Kapoor (Rakhee Tandon), who spoofs Ekta Kapoor makes her entry. Also, every time Manoj Bajpai loses his money.
The tracks (music by Mitin Arora and Soni Chandi) too show up with out any valid reason whatsover, although a few songs are tunefull and well choreographed. Music is good, especially the number, Ta na ta na, picturised on Esha Deol.
Now er move to the performances. Govinda looks too old for his part. The role demanded a 20+ actor and Govinda looks completely out of place here. The age shows. Imagine, he called Javed Sheikh his father and Ketaki Dave his mother. Besides, why is behaving so cool by speaking in English? It looks totally fake.
You feel sad to watch an actor of the calibre of Manoj Bajpai being reduced to absolute nothing. Is he the same actor who acted in “Satya”? And “Zubeidaa”, Pinjar and 1971? Aftab Shivdasani looks right for the part, but he hardly gets any sences. Upen Patel does a good job and his scenes are truly funny.
Hansika goes over the top. Celina Jaitely gets no scope either. Archana Puransingh, besides Upen, provieds a few laughs. She is excellent. Prem Chopra is wasted. Pavi Kishan does not impress as well.
On the whole, “Money Hai To Honey Hai” is a poor show. A damp squib at the box office. It is only a time pass movie. Watch it, if you are Govinda fan.
Star Cast: Govinda…… Bobby Arora, Esha Deol, Upen Patel…… Manik, Aftab Shivdasani…… Gaurav Negi, Celina Jaitley…… Shruti, Kim Sharma, Ravi Kishan…… Parag, Isha Koppikar, Manoj Bajpai…… Lala Bhai, Sumit Aurora…… Traffic Constable, Kurush Deboo…… Production Supervisor, Shruti Sharma…… Sakkubai, Paresh Ganatra…… Chaman Patel, Nitin Arora…… Bhola Plumber, Hansika Motwani…… Ashima Kapoor, Archana Puran Singh, Prem Chopra…… KK Jaiswal
Lyricist: Sameer
Director: Ganesh Acharya