Set on a lavish canvas about Royals residing in palaces and forts, this film directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya is strewed with goody characters preaching ethical ways of living a goody life.
The family drama is about a dreamy world set in the era of Kingdoms and consisting of obedient sons, ‘agyakari’ women where Yuvraj Vijay Singh (Salman Khan) a prince of Pritampur, who is soon to be crowned as king and is engaged to princess Maithili (Sonam Kapoor). Does this awaken memories of Shammi Kapoor’s ‘Prince’ or the much later Anil Kapoor’s ‘Rajkumar’ and dozens of ficticious Raj Gharana Bollywood films.
It seems doubtful if this concept would work in the present times of fast paced lives of people who manage to be in touch with their own families with difficulties.
Anyways, our prince Vijay is ethical, upright and stubborn which makes him infamous within his own family which consists of his step sisters Rajkumari Chandrika (Swara Bhaskar) and Rajkumari Radhika (Aashika Bhatia) who live in a separate house outside royal fort and his step brother Yuvraj Ajay Singh (Neil Nitin Mukesh).
Brother Ajay Singh has evil plans who is aided by his equally conniving and manipulating manager Chirag Singh (Armaan Kohli) who chalks out a plan to attack Yuvraj Vijay Singh to finish him off.
Vijay Singh is badly wounded, yet he survives. However it is coronation time for the prince, and the royals stumble upon Vijay’s look alike Prem Dilwala (Salman Khan in a double role), who lacks the mannerisms and sophistication of the Royal Prince.
With Pitampur’s Diwan Saheb (Anupam Kher0 and the Ramleela actor’s close buddy Kanhaiya (Deepak Dobriyal), they manage to stage the happy go lucky commoner Prem Dilwala to stand up as the royal prince as a stop-gap arrangement to physically go thru the procedures, whilst the real Prince recouperates.
The story takes a twist when it is out that Maithili isn’t really in love with the Royal Prince, with the commoner fallen in love with the princess and then with Prem’s simple and caring nature, he impresses the pricess.
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’s extended length would be attributed with half a dozen songs, following the Rajshri Picture’s tradition, yet none of the songs create an impact in one’s mind.
Credit ought to be given to the cinematographer and the art director for its lavish and colourful sets and backgrounds. Amongst the performers, we have genuine efforts from Deepak Dobriyal and Swara Bhaskar.
Nothing exceptional is seen in Salman Khan’s performance, while Sonam Kapoor isn’t given much of a scope except that for her designer dresses and her so cute appearances.
It is a treat for Salman Khan fan’s to see him in a double role and his much improved comic timing.
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is a family entertainer.
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Cast:
Salman Khan as Prem Dilwale and Yuvraj Vijay Singh
Sonam Kapoor as Rajkumari Maithili Devi
Neil Nitin Mukesh as Yuvraj Ajay Singh
Anupam Kher as Diwan Sahab / Bapu
Armaan Kohli as Chirag Singh
Swara Bhaskar as Rajkumari Chandrika
Aashika Bhatia as Rajkumari Radhika
Deepak Dobriyal as Kanhaiya (Prem’s friend)
Sanjay Mishra as Chaubey Ji
S M Zaheer as Doctor
Lata Sabharwal as Radhika and Chandrika’s mother
Suhasini Mulay as Grand mother of Maithili
Credits:
Directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya
Produced by Ajit Kumar Barjatya, Kamal Kumar Barjatya, Rajkumar Barjatya
Story, Screenplay by Sooraj R. Barjatya
Music by Sanjoy Chowdhury, Himesh Reshammiya
Cinematography – V. Manikandan
Edited by Sanjay Sankla
Production companies – Rajshri Productions, Fox Star Studios
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, movie review
