Nanu Ki Jaanu Movie Review: Abhay Deol and Patralekhaa's Horror Comedy Suffers From a Huge Identity Crisis

Abhay Deol and Patralekhaa return to the big screen after a gap of two years with the supernatural comedy Nanu ki Jaanu. Both the actors are artistes who aim to do quality cinema, though some of their choices betray their aim (Love Games, anyone?) Actor Manu Rishi Chadha has penned the script, which is directed by Faraz Haider. So is Nanu ki Jaanu a movie worth the talents of both the stars? Alas no!

Nanu (Abhay Deol) is a goon, who along with his dim-witted cronies (Manu Rishi Chadha and co), specialises in illegally and forcibly taking over rented flats in Noida. His life changes forever when he tries to help an accident victim but she dies by the time they reach hospital. This incident not only makes him lose interest in his work, but also makes Naanu realise that his current flat is haunted by a chimney-dwelling ghost who is hell-bent on cleaning up his act (as well as his house).

If you are not aware of this, Nanu Ki Jaanu borrows its premise from the 2014 Tamil movie, Pisaasu. The Tamil movie, directed by the acclaimed film-maker Mysskin, was a critical hit. It is also a serious horror drama, with elements of suspense and romance. Manu Rishi and Faraz Haider, in their attempt to make the remake different, try to infuse humour in the proceedings. The result turns out to be a badly-cooked hopscotch of ideas and stale humour that does justice to neither genre of comedy or horror.

Nanu Ki Jaanu shows some kind of promise when it sticks to the original premise. There is intrigue in the story as you try to find out who the ghost is and why it is bothering the protagonist. The humour sporadically works in the first half, but a couple of rape jokes play spoilsport. In these times of #MeToo movement, where such matters are seen with so much scrutiny, it is highly irresponsible of the writers to add this kind of humour. But rape jokes are least of concerns for Nanu ki Jaanu - bad execution and hammy performances are.

Thanks to some really contrived direction, we find unintentional hilarity in some really 'serious' scenes. A father breaks down reminiscing about his dead daughter, as a spirit's bluish fingers carresses his neck from down a chimney. Try watching this scene without cracking into a smile.

Or perhaps, you should wait for that revelatory climax, where a ghost breaks out of ice, talks about Yamdoot, while also adding a social message about wearing helmets and talking on mobile while driving. You will wonder if the theatre has suddenly started screening the next episode of Khichdi.

There is a random insertion of unwarranted songs and romance that has no purpose being there in the movie. You don't even connect with the characters in the movie, even the hero, who feels the most confused of the lot. We really don't buy it when a man, who doesn't think twice before hoarding someone's house, has a change of heart all of a sudden. The frequent tonal shift from humour to dead-set seriousness to back to making funny jokes will irritate you.

Even the performances can't save the movie. Abhay Deol is decent, which is the best thing I can say about his performance. Manu Rishi, who could have been the highlight of the movie, turns out to the be the most irritating of the lot. Sure, a couple of his lines made me laugh, but most of his scenes felt like a forced attempt for Nanu ki Jaanu to live up to name of being a comedy. A usually good Rajesh Sharma hams like there is no tomorrow.

And pray, why was Patralekhaa even needed in the movie? The actress who was brilliant in CityLights is completely wasted in a miniscule role, which is made more laughable by that absurd climax. And to think, both Deol and Patralekhaa are returning to the big screen after two years for this!

Yay!

- The premise (But you watch the Tamil movie for that instead)

- Abhay Deol (somewhat)

- Some sporadic humour

Nay!

- Too much to say here. Let's make it brief by saying 'everything else'!

Final Thoughts

Avoid this horror comedy at all costs, unless you are a purveyor of unintentional comedy. Would recommend you watch Pisaasu instead with subtitles!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 19, 2018 10:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).