Delhi Belly (2011)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Expected more

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

You don't come across this type of movie everyday. When you do watch it, it sticks with you, unlike the multitude of comedy films lost in genre's milieu. The style and substance of the movie would appeal to a cult following without doubt, but it also has sufficient sitcom elements in it to appeal to the tastes of a more diversified and less discerning audience. In other words, almost everyone should find something for them in the movie, those in their 20s-40s will find the movie to hit all the right notes.The script is excellent and the screenplay is well paced. The comedy is layered and repeat viewing would reward the viewer with hidden gems of humor. A lot of the comedy is contextual, wherein the writers and producers are indirectly commenting on pop culture and portrayal of Delhi in real life and media. As a viewer your mileage depends on your awareness of the pop culture tropes and ability to interpret the symbolism embedded in the scenes.There isn't any part of the movie which is boring or a scene which feels forced, so the movie editors have done a sterling job. The cinematography is also on point and akin to any top quality movie, it is obvious that a lot of effort has been put in to achieve the directors vision of framing each scene.The lead and supporting actors were top notch. Some of the tertiary actors and extras could perhaps have done a less over-the-top acting reminiscent of mainstream melodramatic Indian cinema, but perhaps that was an intentional gibe at Indian movies in general.The movie ends with the antagonists getting their just dues and the protagonists getting their deserved new views: that the real gems are oft concealed in plain sight and the pointlessness of owning gems if you can't appreciate their true value.

Indian cinema is maturing at a faster rate and now even the censor board has boarded the flight of maturity. It's good to see people shedding hypocrisy and becoming rudely real with their dialogs in cinema. Sample this "This girl has given me a blow-job" or "You used my juice to clean your ass" – thumps up to censor board for releasing this without any cut. Delhi Belly is indeed the maiden attempt to elevate toilet humor to another level and probably it is dirtiest, filthiest comedy at its very best.Delhi Belly is a simple story about three roommates Nitin (Brilliant debut by Kunal Roy Kapoor),Tashi(Imraan Khan) and Arup(Vir Das) unknowingly stuck in a crime whereby a local goon (superb acting by Vijay Raaz) and his henchmen are after them to get back their diamonds and rest of the film is about the trio escaping as the youth anthem bhag bhag dk Bose scores in background.It is sheer genius of writer Akshat Verma to come up with a Guy Ritchie kind of script. One feels like watching a Guy Ritchie,Tarantino-is cinema with ample dose of Desi tadka. After his disastrous debut "The Game" Abhinay Deo bounced back with this. It is unorthodox kind of cinema at its best which hits all aspects of pseudo morality. The characters are real and identifiable, the ways they speak are shockingly real and so is the execution. There is no pretentiousness or double innuendos but in your face kind of toilet humor brilliantly used in the fast paced narrative. In the opening credit the characters are aptly introduced by mere usage of props as the song "Saigal Blues" plays lazily in the background. With the perfectionist Aamir Khan as the producer flawless execution is quite expected. Towards the climax when the shootout takes place, the slow motion execution seems like an opera with each character's reaction being like that of chords of various instruments in a string ensemble. The concept of return of disco fighter starring Aamir Khan is intertwined wittily with the narrative leading to the hilariously marvelous item song "I hate you (like I love you)" in the end where we see Mr perfectionist himself dressed as Austin power having fun with an intelligently choreographed song.Abhinay Deo is blessed with a talented technical team starting with a capable cinematographer who brings alive the by-lanes of Delhi. Without glorifying the tourist spots it brilliantly captures the intensity of the city and its true color and kudos to the art department for that. The 96mins pace is aptly edited with the clever idea of no-interval concept thus maintaining the flow with the gradual rise of madness. One of the real heroes of this film is the music and the lyrics. Ram Sampath(the music composer) and Amitabh Bhattacharya(the lyricist) created wonder with the album with Amitabh's magical lyrics Dk Bose is now the anthem of the youth. One of the most creative song since "Emotional atyachaar"(from Dev D) is "jah Chudail". The video of "Jah chudail" is sure to throw one in the floor with laughter. All the creatively outrageously funny songs in the album are used appropriately in the background.Coming to the acting department, casting director Adoore Mukherjee seems to know his job well selecting Kunal Roy Kapoor (who earlier directed the mind-blowing hinglish comedy "The president is coming") as Nitin who suffers a weak belly due to food poisoning. He is natural and shows oodles of emotions in his face. The other find of this movie is Poorna Jagannathan who is spontaneous and delightful actress. Vir Das and Imran Khan do justice to their roles and so does Shenaz Treasury. Vijay Raaz is a fine actor and while watching his subtle villainous act one wishes to see more of him.The henchmen in Vijay Raaz's gang did a fine job specially the one who played "Bunty".The person enacting the landlord has superb potential in situational comedy films.Aamir Khan should be applauded again for taking an independent cinema to this elevating commercial level. Previously he supported Peepli Live and Dhobi Ghaat, and now with Delhi Belly he opens a door for more film makers. It is true that Delhi Belly won't appeal to all cine-goers but then it will surely be named as one of the farting cult film in the long run. Hopefully more film makers will explore this territory unabashed. A true Potiliciously hilarious cinema that will be remembered for its content. A cult comedy all the way….

OK, I have watched the movie for the fifth time and its brilliance has compelled me to write a few lines about the movie.... Tell me when was the last time you actually found a bollywood movie genuinely humorous without the actors requiring "on-the-face comedy" to make you laugh (the laugh I know was full of sarcasm)? I think most of the people will remember "Hera Pheri" for the same and why not? It was one funny movie. But after that the came the era of slapstick comedies which one could easily laugh away(pun intended)......... until came Delhi Belly. This is an adult film which you cannot watch with your family but very much with your friends. Even if you do watch it alone, Believe me, this one movie is bound to make you laugh. The roles played by Vir Das and Kunar Roy Kapoor and hilarious enough that literally you will ROFL. The background music adds icing to the cake as it plays a major role in the film. Everyone in the film acted brilliantly. The only thing I didn't like is that of the role played by Imran Khan. He needs to change his accent along with a film. His accent didn't fit his role and he looked like a good boy in between adults. Nevertheless he acted well. The songs are put appropriately in the film.So those who haven't watched it yet, do watch it instead of wasting money on namesake comedy movies these days.

This movie was absolutely a waste of my time. Unfortunately it was family night and we thought it would be something funny and relaxing,oh dear, was I in for an interesting night. It was so embarrassing just to watch it with someone else - even a family member, you could feel the awkward in the air - especially during all that cursing (none of which was necessary or appropriate in the times they were placed, I felt as though I was watching a distilled, even horrible version of Hangover II). Maybe I ought to give the director/script writer a lesson on cursing and how and when to curse. Spilling Coffee on your shirt = OK to curse, someone degrading you/your family = OK to curse, just chilling and speaking with friends casually with 30 curse words/min makes no effing sense. Furthermore, it was basically a porno. So much sex, everywhere. All over the place - bouncing off the ceilings, in close up shots of the actresses "blouses" and even awkward bullcrap scenes which made no damn sense. I recommend rather than watching this piece of crap, you go have a nice luncheon with friends.