It’s seems ages since I first saw a trailer for Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd on the big screen. And I remember thinking “Interesting concept for a film. It looks like fun.”
Well, bohut mazaa hai.
It could be unweildy to tell the stories of 5 couples on a group honeymoon in Goa, but Reema Kagti manages to do it, without getting tangled up or losing anyone in the shuffle. One device that is used, along with flashbacks, is narration by a DJ at Radio Mirchi. (Product placement, helloooo!)
There’s the perfect Parsi couple, the older couple on their second marriage, the uptight Bengali couple, the arranged marriage Gujurati couple, the filmi couple, and the hip couple. We think we know what to expect with each, but there are some surprises, and some very gay positive messages (though there was one couple I was hoping would have wound up together that didn’t).
It’s a long list of actors, and you can read about them individually at the movie’s website, but some of the more recognizable names who’ve signed to this endeavour are Shabana Azmi, Boman Irani, KayKay Menon, Raima Sen, Amisha Patel, Diya Dia Mirza and amazingly (because he keeps getting offered roles) Vikram Chatwal. (Nothing against the hotelier’s fabulously wealthy son, who actually has pretty eyes and an interesting face, but his delivery when he speaks is slurred and jerky.)
One face I was surprised and happy to see in the role of Chatwal’s character’s wife was that of Sandhaya Mridul, who I enjoyed as the spunky roommate in Page 3. My heart went out to her character, a cool, loving girl who has the worst luck with men.
Shabana is understated and lovely as the grieving Naheed, married to long-time acquaintance Oscar Fernandes (Boman Irani). I had a great time watching his hair, after listening to him on the most recent podcast of the BBC Asian Network’s Film Cafe, where he revealed that the wig was a nightmare and required a lot of care and attention to get it right, then a gust of wind would come along and undo everything. Yes, they do actually lock lips, apparently a fact that’s getting a lot of attention, but who cares? It fit in fine with the moment in the story, and Boman looked bashful. (And the film is a Farhan/Zoya product. That must have been interesting conversation. “Ok Mom, listen, we think it would be integral to the story if Boman kisses you.”)
Once we get beyond the first impressions of each couple, we learn that there are some people struggling with issues of sexuality, others pining for someone other than the one they married, and some who have super powers as the result of being struck by lightning (yes, really). Raima and KayKay have great chemistry, and she just looks fabulous. It’s funny to see him in the role of a buttoned-up guy who wears a fanny pack! Both are enjoyable to watch as they shed some inhibitions and get closer to each other.
I’d like to include some more details but it’s late and this will have to do for now. I will say that there is a filmi dream sequence, and yes, that is Amisha Patel wearing a tiara as she rises out of a faux fur-lined giant clamshell:
See it or skip it
See it. It won’t reveal the meaning of life, but it’s a fun escape, especially for people living in cold, grey climes. And vah, kya ensemble cast hai!
Ohhhhhhhhh I see !!!!!! all are angels???
hi.i am amir
hiii.. i love the movie it was soooo good and funny but stiill i like it sooo much … myfamily was telling me to dont wach the movie but i dont listing to them i wach it
I still haven’t seen this *sigh* I’m so behind the times!!
Looks like fun :o)
Angela, that song is great fun, isn’t it? I have it as my ringtone right now.
Glad you enjoyed it too!
I finally saw the film and it was quite fun, especially loved the catchy song on the boat and of course Arjun Rampal’s brief yet important appearance. And i agree Raima and Kay Kay had great chemistry and poor Madhu, I totally wasn’t expecting that gay thing, wow, it was quite interesting and a fun ride! Thanks for recommending it; I initially wasn’t going to watch it but after seeing your post, I decided I should!
Thanks, S. Yes, I know they’re stepchildren, but, given that I had just heard her or one of them in an interview recently saying that it was as if there was not that layer of removal, the step- part, and again, she or one of them actually used the word “Mom”, I didn’t bother to point it out.
Though I suppose it could, in theory, be easier to have your stepMom do it…. 🙂
Nice post. Just one minor thing though – Shabana Azmi is not Farhan and Zoha’s mother. They are Honey Irani and Javed Akhtar’s children. Not that it would be any easier to tell a stepmom about the kissing scene! 🙂
Carla, wow, that’s a long way to go for a film!
SB, yes, that is quite cool, isn’t it? I think Sar One or Plus is running a ‘making of’ programme tonight I’m looking forward to.
Babasko, I think you won’t be disappointed.
Movietonic, thanks for your kind words. There was a press screening of the film on Wednesday night here.
Jay, I saw her on NDTV at the party/promo they had for the film in Bombay on Wednesday and she was wearing the hughest diva glasses. They looked like ski goggles!
Angela, yes, it’s a sweet, fun film.
oohh I remember seeing the trailer for this too quite some time back…it looked like a silly timepass movie and maybe it is…but now that you bring it up…I kinda wanna see it!! Thanks for the reminder, it looks like a lot of fun!
Vikram Chatwal — why?
Sandhaya Mridul has a very unusual kind of beauty, slightly androgynous, but very attractive all the same.
Hi..i really love your website.Do check out my bollywood site too. It’s a real pleasure to read all your posts and I too wanna share some Bollywood trivia with my blog with the rest.
By the way how did you manage to catch Honey Moon Travels so soon…..its not yet released in India I guess. Arte you some topp notch critic or Bollywood personality who got to see the special screening : ?
ohhh i am so happy that it seems to have turned out nice. i was awed the first time i read the cast list. and the promos made me expect pretty much. can´t wait for it to show up here.
wow filmi – that was quick! the movie sounds like loads of fun. what i found interesting is that the behind-the-scenes crew was almost entirely female. girl power! i hope the movie does well just so bollywood can change its perception about women making films – and that they don’t always have to be artsy fartsy.
Thank for this review. I have been bouncing off the walls waiting impatiently for this film; and as its release date has approached that has only increased, to the point where I am traveling more than 200 miles to see it on Saturday. Everything about it looks delightful and fun, and I’m happy that you found it meeting that expectation.