Do Dooni Chaar reviews

"Do dooni chaar, jod jaad ke baazi maar..." Yes life is all about being happy in what you have n Do Dooni Chaar passes on this message really well.... read more

"Do dooni chaar, jod jaad ke baazi maar..." Yes life is all about being happy in what you have n Do Dooni Chaar passes on this message really well. Director Habib Faizal captured every moment from a middle class familys life beautifully and presented it on screen in a way that you will enjoy every bit of it. The story is about a working class man who travels everyday to work on his scooter and dreams to buy a car for his family in short "going from two wheels to four wheels".

A very simple story of a punjabi family from Delhi in which after almost 40 years you will get to see Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor together. Rishi Kapoor (Santosh Duggal), a maths teacher did a flawless job. You will see him riding his antique scooter everyday to work and doing his job with full sincerity. Our very own Neetu Kapoor (Mrs. Duggal) performed her role of an understanding and practical house wife brilliantly. Two down to earth elders stuck with two "flying" kids Payal (Aditi Vasudev) & Deepu (Archit Krishna) creates a mess which you all will enjoy.

Honestly, it's a sweet and neatly written script with many heart-warming moments which will entertain you for complete 2 hrs. It covers every aspect of a middle-class man from monthly budget to savings to struggles to dreams. The movie shows that though the income of a working-class man is not much but still he gives his best to complete the dreams of his family. He also wants that his kids should study in good schools and do MBA. Habib Faizal covers it all but in a light-hearted way so that we learn "to live each day, each moment to the fullest".

Full marks to dialogue writer as he actually understood the underlying purpose of making Do Dooni Chaar. Next strong point of the movie is its ensemble cast, who will make you connect with them. Finally, speaking of the tracks, they are not excellent but still go with situations really well but the climax of the movie is just amazing, that is the time you will understand that how knowledge-givers (gurus) are under-idealized in today's world.

Moral of the story: Honesty pays!

Final Verdict: Do watch this one with your family as its blend of superb performances, clever script and good humor.
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First things first - What about the 30 year old chemistry? After all, thats what attracted audiences to theaters in the first place. Ummm... Lets j... read more

First things first - What about the 30 year old chemistry? After all, thats what attracted audiences to theaters in the first place. Ummm... Lets just say... the kind of sparks that fly between Mr and Mrs Rishi Kapoor, sonny dearest could never recreate with Deepika Padukone. And probably never will. Because washboard abs, drop-dead looks and exotic locales are trivial - true love and understanding are sometimes found in middle-income, crampy flats in the bylanes of Shalimar Bagh.

But hang on a moment - this film has a lot more going for it than an 80s superstar couple. The actual star here is the story, which reflects the daily struggle of a middle class Indian family to maximize happiness within a limited budget.

The Duggals are your quintessential Delhi 'Funjaabis' - boisterous & loud, yet funny & lovable. Papa Duggal (Rishi Kapoor) is a maths teacher in a private school, doing all he can for his wife and kids, while Mummy Duggal (Neetu Kapoor) runs the show at home, delivering everything from chicken curry to good advice. Beti Duggal is a tomboyish college student with a penchant for 4-wheelers, and Beta Duggal is a crafty young man - realizing that his aspirations are much higher than what his family can afford, he resorts to betting to increase his dispensable income splurging it on chicken buckets, girlfriends, and an iPhone.

One fine day, The Duggals declare that they need a car to mollify their bruised egos, as not having one has proven to be disgraceful. After all, dont we all judge a person by the size of the 'thing' parked outside his house - The 'Bajaj Chetak' is a softie and a loser, while nobody dares mess with the Maruti Swift owner. But I digress: coming back to the story, the Duggals try everything in their capacity to manage a down payment and EMIs. While they do get the car or not is left for the viewer to find out, in the process, this family does teach us a lot about how life is meant to be lived.

The story captures the middle class so succintly, it feels as if somebody has been spying on us the entire time - the anecdotal situations reflect the trials and tribulations of Indian society. And their are mandatory lessons in goodness too, as are present in all Disney movies (this one has been produced by them too).

The 4 characters fit the Duggals to the 'D' - Rishi Kapoor with his woolen scarf, knitted sweaters and a huge paunch he doesn't pretend to hide, and Neetu with her salwar suits and Punjabi accent. The kids are revelations, too - they have well developed characters to portray which they do beautifully. Even the side actors need special mention - the gol-matol bua, the 'Sting Operation specialist' TV anchor (even though he rarely comes out of the TV screen, he plays an integral part in the story) and the neighboring Farookhi family, who share a love-hate relationship with the Duggals. The songs, although not designed to be chart toppers, are highly relevant and well timed- never do they dare interrupt the narrative, still evoking laughs as they acutely portray the moods present in a particular scene.

A thought: With the sleazy Emran Khan starrer Crook hogging all single screens this week, I guess only the Singhanias and Malhotras can catch this one in the multiplexes: The Duggals of Delhi have hefty EMIs to pay, and they simply cannot afford to spend 1 grand on entertainment. Well, a second thought: they don't need it too - they are actually living the story as we speak !

This is one cinematic tryst you simply cannot afford to miss. view less

First thing First!! One of the most adorable jodis of silver-screen has decided to share the center-stage, after almost 3 decades; that in itself m... read more

First thing First!! One of the most adorable jodis of silver-screen has decided to share the center-stage, after almost 3 decades; that in itself makes it a must watch. And if Neetu Singh Kapoor has bid adieu her abstinence from mainstream cinema and thought of making a comeback, then there ought to be a reason (Read 'genuine script') behind it. If the promos were any indication, 'Do Dooni Chaar' is a simple tale of a common man that should be enjoyed with limited expectations.

Do Dooni Chaar is a story about a Government teacher played by Mr. Delightful- Rishi Kapoor, his contented wife played by ever-so-charming Neetu Kapoor and their two kids who dream of major comforts and luxuries in their life. 'Do Dooni Chaar' transpires a middle class family's tryst with destiny while they pave their way towards affording a 'Chaar-Wheeler' as against an out-of-fashion 'Do-Pahiya'. The best thing about the movie is the fact that a 'one-liner' story has been told in an artistic manner. Kudos to the debutante Habib Faisal for showcasing the struggle of a typical Indian Middle class family, with sugar coating of humor. Though situations and circumstances looks familiar, still audiences gets totally engrossed due to sheer genius of the Director and some stellar performances by all the 4 main characters. Background score adds further to the charm of the flick, with the title-track playing an important role in the narration.

Rishi Kapoor looks completely at ease under the skin of a common man. His round figure and chubby cheeks adds to his childish demeanor. Rishi's real life partner Neetu Kapoor gives a stellar performance as a simple Punjabi house wife. Believe me, its worth a wait to see her act alongside his Prince-charming; infact their cute-relationship is one of the high point of the movie. Aditi and Archit playing the Gen-X teens, carry out their respective roles with ridiculous ease. Akhilendra Mishra, as Rishi Kapoor's 'Love-thy-Neighbor', is his usual decent-self.

Maverick Verdict: 'Do Dooni Chaar' boast of such a concept that each one of us would easily relate to. It's a fun-emotional drama doubled with a saccharine golden-couple of tinsel town. Give it a dekko and STAY in 'do-dooni-chaar' PEACE, always!!!
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A Disney movie usually tells a sweet tale with a moral at the end and Do dooni char is no different in that respect. The story set in Delhi ,(thank... read more

A Disney movie usually tells a sweet tale with a moral at the end and Do dooni char is no different in that respect. The story set in Delhi ,(thank God its not set in New York or Sydney or some such place) is of a school teacher and his family living on a meager income and their dream of buying a car which leads to all sorts of trouble.

Rishi and Neetu Kapoor look like the much married couple that they are and the way Neetu keeps pinching his very pinchable cheeks gives you a glimpse into their real life equation as well. Rishi as the middle aged teacher who very endearingly keeps proclaiming I am not a loser looks like a chubby teddy bear. Neetu is very graceful with her vivacious and cute smile intact. The kids do a pretty good job with their roles too. The supporting cast of neighbours, the coaching class sardar and specially the anchor of the Hindi news channel are superb too in their small but well etched roles.

The move captures middle class angst pretty well and the moral quicksand that occupies that territory. It also accurately shows vignettes of an ordinary life-the vegetables hauled up in a basket from the first floor, the ratty but trusted scooter, the bonhomie with the neighbors -youve seen or experienced them all at some time or the other.

The dramatic tension could have been a bit more intense but that does not take away anything from this movie. Go watch this one. It tells a realisitc story in an entertaining way and that is a good enough reason to watch it. To give you more value for your money you get Rishi and Neetu in top form. What more can a simple middle class heart want?
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Right here, Ill pretend this review is important enough for Ranbir Kapoor to miss his dance-in-a-towel routine and give some degree of crap about w... read more

Right here, Ill pretend this review is important enough for Ranbir Kapoor to miss his dance-in-a-towel routine and give some degree of crap about what I say:

"Dude! You're cool. But your parents are way cooler. Thank them. You could've been Kulbhushan Kharbandas son too."

However, Rishi and Neetu Kapoor's children in Do Dooni Chaar aren't half as lucky.
It'll go down in history as the only time when reality is rosier than the shades of Technicolor!

Santosh Duggal(Rishi Kapoor) is a typical middle-class maths teacher: With spoilt brats who make his scooter look like a lingerie ad, a pissed off daughter(Aditi Vasudev) who gets a rich boy friend, a pissed off son(Archit Krishna) who joins a betting gang and becomes a rich boyfriend himself.

Santosh doesn't have a car. And the grossly materialistic Delhi society wont let him breathe till he has one.
His wife, Kusum(Neetu Kapoor) is the force binding the family. A loving, charming, sacrificing, pragmatic housewife weighed down by circumstances but managing a smile despite it. If you come from a middle class family where severe Crisis Management sessions happen before every purchase, look closer, and she could be your mom.

Santosh is forced to borrow a car. One thing leads to another and he screws up so much that buying a car is the only way out of his mess.But bratty kids won't do with a cheap car, and he is too poor to go beyond.

He takes extra classes at a coaching center run by a guy who looks like a cross between Govinda and Daler Mehndi. Then theres the carrot hung by a rich kid whose Maths paper bears a deal: One grand for every mark you give! Hurry!

Self-Esteems decline.Egos take a beating. Father-son bonding ensues. Car desperation rises. Temptations lure. New respect for poor dad when others hold him in awe. Idealistic teacher chooses integrity in the face of shortcuts.

Everyone learns their life lessons while in the pursuit of a new car. The car arrives, but is just a part of their new lives- flush with confidence, love and security

The performances are brilliant. Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, of the legendary chemistry, still have it. Aditi Vasudev and Archit Krishna do well too, and together the 4 of them make an endearing family. There are glitches though- one part about buying lots of detergents to win a car under a scheme , is too far-fetched. Otherwise, it is teeming with moments that bring forth a smile and maybe the odd tear- unless you are cast in the Arjun Rampal mould and can do neither.

Overall, it is an extremely watchable movie.

It makes you feel good at the climax..;)


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The school maths teacher father, the mom striving to strike a balance between the household expenses and requirements, the rebellious daughter, the... read more

The school maths teacher father, the mom striving to strike a balance between the household expenses and requirements, the rebellious daughter, the bratty son, one DDA flat, and a rickety scooter this is the Duggal family. Its lovable, its recognizable, its a typical middle class Delhi family.
As soon as see the posters, you cant help but smile. The Big Bazaar Sale, dreams of a lottery and the prioritizing of the family expenses in the last few days of the month is a common phenomenon in the urban middle class. It is these idiosyncrasies that make Do Dooni Chaar such a memorable fun-filled ride.

The renowned reel life Jodi of Rishi and Neetu Kapoor return to the big screen as a couple after almost 30 years to play Santosh and Kusum Duggal. While Mr. Duggal works hard to manage school, and shifts at a coaching centre, the kids struggle with their own demons as daughter Payal must participate in competitions to fill up her wardrobe, and young Deepu uses illicit methods to rake up cash, to keep himself and his girlfriend happy. Mrs. Duggal is the quintessential mom and wife, who tells everyone to chill and is at her artful best to keep the family happy. Adding to the already tight budget, problems begin when the family decides to skip the age old two-wheeler Duggal Express for a newer four-wheeled model. Beyond EMIs, taxes, loans, sting operations and shrewd neighbours, this family will stop at nothing, to achieve their dream.

Reminiscent of Sai Paranjpe or Hrishikesh Mukherjee movies of the 70s, Do Dooni Chaar works because of the immense believability of its clever script. The entire film is like a chapter out of this familys life, and the script sticks to that fact. This movie is about the familys dream to own the car. It could have been about many other things as well, but this is its main issue, and it sticks to it. The narrative is focussed and blithe but also thought-provoking and heart-warming. The happy tone of the film is aided by some brilliantly crafted and engaging vignettes which are a slice of life. The entire storyline will be very relatable to anyone who has lived in Delhi because of its distinctiveness in the witty and minimalistic dialogues, the cinematography and the lifestyle.

But the films strongest point is portrayal of the Duggal family. The morally upright teacher whose best is never good enough, and yet whose conscience may be susceptible to going haywire, Rishi Kapoor is at his best. He is extremely spontaneous and the part where he bonds with his son is one of the best in recent cinema history. There could be no better comeback than this for Neetu Singh. She stands her own as the female protagonist who can get the job done, and yet gives commendable support to her husband. Yes, they are not the teen heartthrob couple anymore, but still have enough chemistry as the more matured middle-aged life partners. The kids, Aditi Vasudev and Archit Krishna, are something to watch out for. In contrast to Mr. Duggal and his sister, who are extremely close, these two curse, hit and kick each other to showcase the perfect contemporary sibling relationship. Other supporting characters are just right, especially Akhilendra Mishra and Supriya Shukla.
The art direction and styling are flawless, and the concerns real. The editing could have been crisper in the beginning and the climax more thought-out. Yet, the moral lessons arent preachy, and this is a relief. The direction by debutante Habib Faisal is meticulous and delectable. Do Dooni Chaar is the next characteristic Delhi film after Khosla Ka Ghosla.

Despite a few hiccups, the film works because of its strong story and characterization, and some splendid performances. Its definitely not LOL funny, but will manage to keep a smile on your face for the entire run time. Finally a good family film. Highly recommended.
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The highpoint of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's movies was the simplicity with which he narrated the story of ordinary people. Soaked in humour with an und... read more

The highpoint of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's movies was the simplicity with which he narrated the story of ordinary people. Soaked in humour with an undercurrent of emotions, the films made by Hrishi-da are fresh to this date, inspiring the present-day film-makers as well. DO DOONI CHAAR, directed by debutant Habib Faisal, could easily pass off as a Hrishikesh Mukherjee film. A simple plot involving simpletons and straight out of life situations makes this one an extremely watchable experience. The casting of Rishi and Neetu Kapoor in pivotal parts is, without doubt, the icing on the cake.

Come to think of it, DO DOONI CHAAR is a complete contrast to what's being made these days. It's far from glossy, the setting is a middle class house in a tiny colony of Delhi, the characters are far from classy, the problems are very, very real and yes, there's a message towards the final moments of the film. But it's these factors that make DO DOONI CHAAR a notch above the commonplace. Most importantly, this film has soul, which most films lack these days.

Final word? The life of the ordinary is presented most extra-ordinarily here. DO DOONI CHAAR is a little gem that should not be missed!

Life can be tough for a man who teaches at a school for a living, lives in a tiny flat in Delhi and is coping with the double digit inflation rates and single digit increments in his salary. Add to that, a teenage daughter, a fast-track son and a wife who loves the good life. The life of the Duggals is passing by in simply taking care of the basics. Until one day, they decide to dream.

Their ticket to dreaming comes in the form of a wedding invitation. What follows is a journey of chaos, realizations, calculations, confrontations and bonding. This crazy Duggals will fight it out at home [and the neighborhood] for what they think is a 'good buy' for the family: a four-wheeler.

DO DOONI CHAAR works for a number of reasons, the prime reason being its tight and interesting script which abounds in real-life situations that have been presented with utmost conviction. Desperately wanting to possess a four-wheeler, the story unfolds beautifully and the characters, each of them, only enhance the impact. Even the individual stories of the two kids are wonderfully presented.

Any hiccups? No really, but the pre-climax tends to get unbelievable when the free for all takes place in a fast food joint and the chase that ensues. However, the conclusion carries a strong message, which registers a strong impact.

Habib Faisal is a director to watch. His writing is the highpoint and his handling of the subject is top notch. He has executed the light moments as well as subtle emotions amazingly well. The songs are smartly placed in the narrative, with the title track topping the list.

Rishi Kapoor is the lifeline of the film, he delivers a sparkling performance. The veteran has delivered incredible performances in the past and his work in DO DOONI CHAAR is at par with those terrific portrayals. Neetu Kapoor is admirable. A complete natural, she adds so much to a scene, which otherwise would've fallen flat had a lesser actor been cast in that role. More than anything else, it's an experience watching this real-life jodi together after a hiatus. The two kids - Archit and Aditi - are excellent in their respective roles. Akhilendra Mishra is first-rate. Supriya Shukla is fantastic.

On the whole, DO DOONI CHAAR is a delight to watch. Just don't miss this one!
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*ing NEETU SINGH KAPOOR & RISHI KAPOOR with Aditi Vasudev, Supriya Shukla,Archit Krishna & Akhlindera Mishra..Directed By Habib Faizal &... read more

*ing NEETU SINGH KAPOOR & RISHI KAPOOR with Aditi Vasudev, Supriya Shukla,Archit Krishna & Akhlindera Mishra..Directed By Habib Faizal & Producer-Arindam Chaudhari. Reviewed at DT Cinemas, Saket..New Delhi

Rating *** 1/2

Do Dooni Chaar is long going to be remembered as Neetu Singh's come-back film that her fans are bound to cherish as they have been made to wait for 30 long years to see their heart-throb one again on the big screen.Her last major appearance opposite Rishi Kapoor was back in 1980 when a long forgotten in the cans film called 'Dhan Daulat' was rushed and completed to make it her last official release before she quit films after marriage and settled down turning her back on films for good.

Before anyone one of you pounces upon me to correct my facts that Neetu & Rishi were seen together last year in Love Aaj Kal..well that was just a one scene appearance for Neetu Singh and was not even a proper cameo leave aside a proper role. Maybe a hesitant Neetu wanted to check the waters before plunging back into Bollywood all over again?

So officially Do Dooni Chaar is Neetu Singh's come-back film and why her fans are simply relishing it no end is coz it could be an exception rather than the rule for more films to follow freely.

Considering the fact that Do Dooni Chaar happens to be Habib's first film as a director it must have taken the Director a lot of persuasion to convince both Neetu & Rishi Kapoor to rethink their priorities and consent to come together after 30 long years that too as a lead pair. Maybe it was the powerful script and the tailor made roles that had them give the nod.

Do Dooni Chaar has once again amply proved that only flops need lame excuses an honest straight from the heart genuine films is always welcome by the audience who laps it up immediately. Back in the early 70's when Bachchan was a rage and Rajesh Khanna was a force to reckon with surprise packets like Amol Palekar brought a warm smile to the face and immediately connected with the audience making his brand of films amply welcome.

Thankfully not much has changed in the past four decades and even today a clean and honest film like Do Dooni Chaar is eagerly lapped up by audiences making it a surprise hit elbowing out quite a few biggies in the bargain. The charisma of Neetu Singh & Rishi Kapoor is very much alive and kicking even today.

Do Dooni Char is an honest introspection on the teaching fraternity and how the honest among them struggle to live from one pay-check to the next while a tax refund is actually a moment to celebrate and fulfill small desires. It is rather ironical that those very teachers who groom and shape entire generations themselves live on the brink of poverty and are themselves hovering between temptation and struggling to cling to their ideals and values with the last shred of honesty.

It is rather a sad refleaction that while the students groomed by the teacher go on to make it big in life the teacher and his family struggle to keep their head and self esteem above murky waters inspite of the sharks hovering around them. Imagine an honest teacher virtually goes round the bend trying to elevate his status from a scooter to a car for his family and what all his children have to undergo to make some side income to fulfil their desires as his monthly income and extra tutions is simply not enough.

Rishi Kapoor as Santosh Duggal a maths teacher and Neetu Singh as his understanding wife Kusum along with their son and daughter form the very core of Do Dooni Char which is all about struggling to rise and shine without compromising on their values. More than anything else Duggal is the common man we can see around us and a bit of us as well as we cling and claw to rise above our circumstances.

Do Dooni Char has several moments that actually touch a chord and even bring a lump to the throat as you can reach out and identify with the plight of Santosh Duggal and his family and what they have to go through in life surviving on a virtual shoe string budget and yet retain their honesty. Full credit goes to the director and the lead pair who carry the film brilliantly on their shoulders even while the newcomers give an inspiring performance in their presence.

All said and done Do Dooni Chaar is like a whiff of fresh air amidst all the pollution of high hyped cinema and that along with the presence of Neetu & Rishi is the USP of this light hearted comedy."Indeed Duggal Express turns out to be a Bullet Express at the Box-Office!!!

REVIEWED BY THE LIP SHANDIL

(CHHAYANKAN FEATURES)
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