Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande - Movie review

Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande
U/A; Action, Drama
Dir: Parvin Dabas
Cast: Vansh Bhardwaj, Tina Desai, Anupam Kher, Kiran Juneja, Sharat Saxena, Parvin Dabas, Kuldeep Ruhil, Ashish Nair
''1/2



Can a small film with a good intention, be automatically dubbed as a good film? Obviously not. Unfortunately, Parvin Dabas's directorial debut falls under a great intention but a so-so film category. An interesting title and a sensitive actor's debut direction ups the expectations for this movie. However, it isn't as exciting as it could have been.

Rajbir (Dabas), Doctor (Ruhil), Ambani (Nair) and Sexy (Bharadwaj) are petty criminals working for the local don, Fauji (Saxena). The villagers are protesting their land being taken by industrialist Agarwal (Kher), who has full support from the Chief Minister (Juneja). Rajbir and his gang have a change of heart and they decide to help the villagers even when they have been instructed by Fauji to use their criminal tactics to stop them from protesting. An interesting plot, where Rajbir hoodwinks the Fauji leading him to think that he is against the villagers, while constantly lending his support to them.

The film begins slowly but picks up pace, and manages to raise a few chuckles, too. What works for the film is that it has a simple narrative that gets you involved in the cause and is extremely realistic in the way the four tough goons turned do-gooders go about doing their business. The CM's son's kidnapping and the chase scene when he escapes are very well executed. The film is wittily laced with that typical north Indian humour at places.

But having said that, the movie could have been a far better one. Loopholes galore and a bit self indulgent, the movie seems directionless at times. Also, the climax was highly predictable.

Dabas is good as someone who wants to help his mother and the other villagers but is caught in his bad image. His friends, played by Nair, Ruhil, Bharadwaj are competent but better characterisation would have helped.
However, a good effort. And of course, a great intention.