Rascals (2011) – Review in English

About the story: On his engagement day, the gangster Anthony (Arjun Rampal) is robbed twice; while Bhagat Bhosle (Ajay Devgn) steals him a suitcase full of cash, Chetan Chouhan (Sanjay Dutt) snares Anthony's brand new Mercedes. On the run from Anthony, the two conmen meet onboard a plane, and henceforth they try to outsmart each other at every opportunity. After Chetan scored off Bhagat with the hot Dolly (Lisa Haydon), Bhagat pulls out all the stops to win over the rich Khushi (Kangana Ranaut). But even Chetan spares no effort to annex Khushi's millions...


Okay, where can I collect my bravery medal? Guess I deserved it after having survived four unfunny and miscarried comedies in a row (No Problem, Double Dhamaal, Chatur Singh Two Star, Rascals) without turning apostate. Concerning films, 2011 was an absolute failure for Sanju and only his successful guest appearances in Ready, Ra.One and Desi Boyz avert it from being a completely lost year. 2012 can only get better – and with films like Agneepath, Department and Zila Ghaziabad queuing, the prospects are not too bad. At least none of them is a mindless comedy – and may Kancha prevent Sanju from ever signing one again. Or, worse, producing it as well.

You start getting queasy feelings already with the animated credits. The unease calms down a bit during the first twenty minutes for it's at least quite funny to watch Ajay and Sanju cheat first Arjun and then each other. But at the latest from the beginning of the Khushi plot even the last remains of goodwill fade away. Jokes on the back of starving children in Africa and visually impaired people? Pardon me? And women of course are just bloody stupid so they can easily be reduced to being nothing more than object for male lust. Thumbs down.

Not even the otherwise nearly impeccable chemistry between Sanju and Ajay saves the day; at times it flashes up, but otherwise it's merciless killed by the non-existent script. Plus, both are not in best form; sorry to have to say it but Sanju gave just an average performance which nearly all the time makes you think "I've seen this before so many times..." And Ajay is above all loud and wriggly and in this only excelled by Kangana who makes you want to switch off at least the volume every time she appears on screen. Even Chunky Pandey as BBC and Satish Kaushik as Father Pascal are just failures. Positive marks I'd give only to Lisa Haydon who, besides dancing a hot "Shake It Saiyyan" clip, plays her small role with soothing ease; to Hiten Paintal for being Sanju's unagitated sidekick; and above all to Arjun Rampal for giving a confident performance as Anthony.

Concluding with a piece of good news: Sanju openly admitted that this first Sanjay Dutt Production was a failure, and dropped the idea of a Rascals sequel (which is held out in prospect at the end of the movie). So there's hope. Among others that Sanju will read the script for his next home production Satte Pe Satta more carefully than he did (or did not) with Rascals. In this sense: forget and carry on. And for Sanju and Ajay hope isn't lost at all as they'll be reunited in Ajay's next home production Son Of Sardar. This time they'll be enemies but that's something which can work out very well. See Hum Kisise Kum Nahin.

Produced by Sanjay Dutt, Sanjay Ahluwalia, Vinay Choksey; Directed by David Dhawan
120 Min.; DVD: Venus, English Subtitles (including songs); Bonus: The Making
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