Fukrey 3 Review: Pankaj Tripathi, Varun Sharma film is entertaining in parts

When writer-director Mrighdeep Singh Lamba’s comedy film Fukrey released back in 2013, nobody could have imagined that a slow-witted, goofball character Choocha (who also happens to have a god-gifted talent), played by newcomer (Varun Sharma), would become so popular. Even though he was technically a supporting character providing comic relief, Choocha’s popularity has far outgrown that of franchise. Fukrey has not just spawned two installments, effectively banking on flavour of Delhi, but also established Varun as a force to reckon with. 

good thing about 2017 sequel Fukrey Returns was that it didn’t rest on its laurels and delivered ample laugh-worthy moments (although it still wasn’t a match for Fukrey). same becomes a challenge for Fukrey 3. It tries to build on its mcap universe and pave way inste of recycling its strengths without innovation.

2 things you need to know

• Unlike first two Fukrey films, third installment carries a social message.
• movie relies on funny one-liners to evoke laughter.

Hot Take

least one can say is that Fukrey 3 tries to do novel things within franchise. As opposed to first two parts, third installment goes a step furr in slapstick, ds an element of social messaging but almost entirely does away with female characters (save Richa Chha's Bholi Punjaban). However, narrative in Fukrey 3 is a bit scattered. 

film is most hilarious in parts when writers are still setting up plot, taking help of non-sequiturs, and relying on innate charm of Varun Sharma and flair of Pankaj Tripathi. Both actors are in top form, and that helps film stay afloat despite long stretches. This time, Choocha joins hands with Hunny (Pulkit Samrat) to create ‘god’s new gift’ that kicks off plot. But that element kicks in only around interval point. But that’s when narrative starts losing its fizz too.

(A still from Fukrey 3 trailer | Image: Youtube)

Does Fukrey 3 live up to hype?

Fukrey 3 is hilarious in parts and plays to strength of its two key characters -Pandit ji (Pankaj Tripathi) and Choocha (Varun Sharma). 

Silly doesn’t mingle with social

For this installment, writer-director duo Vipul Vig and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba dial up slapstick quotient by several notches. However, silliness is not all that's going on here. It also eventually focuses on a grim social issue plaguing national capital. This switch from silliness to social awareness doesn’t feel smooth and Fukrey 3 really loses direction as it approaches its final act, concluding segment where everything has to come toger.

ditions don’t d much value

good thing about Fukrey Returns was Bholi Panjaban (Richa Chha). She plays an intimidating villain figure who loses to underdogs. However, in Fukrey 3, re is too much chaos as a new villain is introduced. Director Mrighdeep Singh Lamba is unable to catch up with its own material. water tanker mafia Dhingra (Amit Dhawan) gets a memorable introduction scene, but such menacing villainy belongs to anor movie, anor narrative. film doesn’t carry wit or lightness to cleverly blend so many varying elements and deliver a cohesive, funny movie.

re is also underlying comic potential with Choocha having a new love interest. An African woman falls for Choocha’s naivete, but Mrighdeep underplays plot point by reducing her to subject of racist jokes.

Fukrey 3 is all about male bonding 

Fukrey's storyline makes it evident that its a bromance, where women characters have little to offer. dynamics that worked between Fukra gang and gave us some hilarious moments work here too. One loves to witness why Lali (Manjot Singh) is annoyed with Choocha. Similarly, you will warm up to bond between Hunny and Choocha. film works best when it captures se little moments of male bonding and ir love-hate relationship even as y embark one wacky venture after anor.

(Fukrey 3 captures many fun moments of love-hate relationship shared amongst Fukra gang | Image: Youtube)

Stakes don't rise

Perhaps reason why Fukrey 3 makers felt need to incorporate a grim social subject and introduce a  serious antagonist is that stakes are never too high. Choocha, for all love he receives from people around him, is never convinced that he can be a threat big enough to unnerve Bholi Punjaban, who embarks on a political journey this time. 

Fukrey 3 needed to be a different movie with a different tone to convince us that Choocha could be a unanimously loved politician. re are many moments that tell us that Fukrey 3 could have been more farcical and absurd. It would be better if it actually was.

Varun Sharma, Pankaj Tripathi step up to task

Pankaj Tripathi, who first received appreciation for his comic chops in first installment of Fukrey in 2013, has become so comfortable with se roles that re's almost a fatigue that has set in. However, Pankaj keeps finding new ways to look interesting onscreen. Be it body language, or just a slight rise in his intonation, he knows how to keep things going. It only helps that actor is given some outrageous Hinglish one-liners that come out of nowhere. His off-handed delivery makes it better.

(Pankaj Tripathi always keep things interesting with his performance | Image: Youtube)

On or hand, Varun Sharma’s Choocha emerges as protagonist of this franchise. He is a dimwit, has no pragmatic knowledge of real world whatsoever. He has energy of a clueless child and yet his friends need him for he is gifted one. So y make peace with everything he says and does. It’s a hilarious premise, and Fukrey 3 delivers most of its laughs courtesy Choocha’s outrageous shenanigans, and how convincingly Varun plays his part.

Watch it or skip it?

Fukrey 3 is not a b watch if all you want is a few good laughs and a light time at movies. However, it would also be a stretch to call it a paisa vasool experience. Fukrey 3 delivers, but only in bits and pieces.

Bottomline

Varun Sharma and Pankaj Tripathi turn out to be scene-stealers and remind viewers why Fukrey was turned into a franchise in first place. ir performances also deserved a better, more cohesive entertaining story.

Rating - 2.5/5