Movie review: Ghanchakkar, Vidya steals the show

Ghanchakkar kicks off with Sanjay Athray (Emran Hashmi) who is a master in his one and the only profession, robbery. But he decides to give up his con job after a last heist alongwith two other con artists- Pandit (Rajesh Sharma) and Idris (Namit Das) who accompany him. The robbery goes off well and the three part ways for a couple of months in order to get rid of the cops with the entire money stashed with Sanjay. But when the three meet again, it's not the same Sanjay any more. He has lost his memory in an accident and so he fails to recognize the two and also the bag containing the money.Waiting for the return of his memory, the two stay with Sanjay and his Punjabi loud wife Neetu Athray (Vidya Balan). Will Sanjay discover the baggage that is how the story deals further.Director Raj Kumar Gupta brings up an unusual idea of a mental case with whom you can be engrossed in a mysterious journey. The story doesn't stick with you but it surely entertains you with its guess quotient till the end.Raj Kumar complies the thriller element in the flick as he did in his earlier dramas namely, No one killed Jessica and Aamir. He tries to bring out the humour out of the simple usual situations which are quiet familiar. The story has an innovative appeal, but the problem lies in its screenplay. The characters introduced don't have any background to make out what actually define them to be what they are.Minor things have not been given attention, like Sanjay orders for a wine bolltle but the guy delivers it the next day.The so called ‘hero' looking guy introduced has no context to the flick except to create more confusion with another sub-plot.The situations along with the Punjabi housewife's dialect tickle your funny bones with few cheesy dialogues, though it's not Vidya leading the flick, like she did in her earlier dramas.But the director through her fully portrays the notorious and the over excited Punjabi mindset which cannot be ignored. Not to forget ‘Hainnn' which she adds every then and now.Except her light humour act the few cheesy dialogues go haywife. Though, they try hard to enlighten you but they just drag you to make you laugh.There is one scene where the thief duo relates Emraan Hashmi's lost memory situation with that of Ghajini's character. They alongwith Emraan guess all possible Khans who would have played the role in that flick just leaving out Aamir Khan. So awful.If we look at the performances, Emraan Hashmi in his second venture after ‘Ek thi Daayan' this year has given a good performance. The suspicion and confusion he carries in his eyes looks humorous and at the same time is mysterious.Vidya Balan as a Punjabi housewife is lovable in every scene she marks her presence. The way in which she delivers her Punjabi lines works as a punch of laughter.Rajesh Sharma and Namit Das are equally brilliant in their act. Together they both bring out fine performances.Amit Trivedi is a gem of a talent. He adds a great melody in the background while songs are also likeable, though there are only two songs. One in the beginning, the other in the end.I'll go with two stars for ‘Ghanchakkar'. Enter the theatres only for Vidya Balan or else look out for other options this weekend.