Cast: Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Swara Bhaskar, Armaan Kohli, Deepak Dobriyal
Direction: Sooraj Barjatya
Ratings: ** (2/5)
Salman Khan joined hands with Sooraj Barjatya after 16 years to make a family drama and the result is far from satisfactory.
The story revolves around a royal family in Pritampur, a fictional estate in North India where Prince Vijay Singh (Salman Khan) is soon to be coronated as King but nothing is right in his family. Vijay's half sisters hate him because they are illegitimate and seek their equal right in the property.
Vijay's younger brother, Niranjan (Neil Nitin Mukesh), has his eyes set on the crown, and he along with his deputy Chirag (an unbearable Armaan Kohli) tries to kill Vijay but the latter survives the accident with severe injuries.
But the family's loyal servant Diwan ( Anupam Kher) wants to keep it a secret as he suspects that Vijay's life is still in danger.
In another part of India, Prem Dilwala (Salman Khan) makes a living narrating Rameela. Prem is in awe of Rajkumari Maithli (Sonam Kapoor) who runs a charity. His desire to meet the Princess draws him to Pritampur where she was to stay for the coronation of Prince Vijay Singh. The turn of events sees Diwan finding Prem.
Believing it as an act of God, Diwan hastily replaces Vijay with Prem as he wants the Prince's coronation to happen as scheduled. Unlike the old one, the new Vijay is completely unreserved and easygoing. As the film progresses, he goes on to mend severed ties and win hearts with his affable nature.
If you are watching a Barjatya film, you cannot expect anything less than loads of melodrama. But reason is the last thing that you will find in this movie.
The problem also lies in the premise of the film where a doppelganger easily gels with the whole family.
PRDP also has a strong hangover of the 90s. As you watch the film, you will be transported two decades back with cell phones.
Given the producers have splurged crores on lighting and opulent sets, PRDP does have its share of visual moments. The iconic Sheesh Mahal from Mughal-E-Azam has been recreated in the film and looks breathtakingly beautiful.
The film starts fresh but sails into mediocrity and would make you restless even before you are subjected to the cringeworthy climax.
Another letdown is Himesh Reshamiyya's music; songs are too many and devoid of melody. One may have issues with Barjatya's films but they were never bereft of melody.
Despite its lows, Salman shines as Prem; it is his character that makes the film fairly watchable. For Sonam Kapoor, she has been decorated well and is an unmissable part of set design. More than Sonam, it's Salman's chemistry with Anupam Kher that is one of the high points of the film. NN Mukesh and Armaan Kohli both are unimpressive though Kohli has a slight edge here as he succeeds in making his character unbearable.
We all know that irrespective of critics' views, PRDP will be successful as Salman's fans don't give a hoot about what reviewers have to say.
Watch the trailer of the film
