Of khaps and paybacks

Guddu Rangeela
Hindi (U/A) Cast: Arshad Warsi, Amit Sadh, Ronit Roy, Aditi Rao Hyadri
Director: Subhash Kapoor

‘After whiskey, I’m risky,’ announces Arshad Warsi on his jacket. Sidekick Amit Sadh is content ‘Being Hanuman’.

Guddu and Rangeela, the two petty criminals, share a crackling chemistry as they go about their con job in the lawless lands of Haryana. And when not dodging bullets, both are performing at hideous functions — like the ones celebrating Kenyan visa to a village elder.

The duo gets involved in a kidnap that eventually helps them join the dots of an honour killing puzzle.

Aditi Rao Hydari puts up a hard-nut-to-crack act while her tormentor Ronit Roy impresses even in his repetitive role of a repressive ruler. His baritone complements the patriarchal venom he spews and the blood he draws through khap diktats.

The swift first half raises hopes, but the story loses steam as the action progresses to Shimla where Miss Hydari decides to loosen up a bit under a blanket with the touchy-feely Guddu.

And when Warsi and Roy are back to their cat-and-mouse business, the revenge plot strays into ordinary territory. So what begins as a promising chase ends up on a wrong podium where oppressed women grab the mike and whimper about cruelties inflicted right from the womb, only to be dragged back to doom by the long arm of lawlessness.
The men make up for the poor show, though.