Shandar

'Shandar' is a typical early 90's action masala flick. I had seen a rainy song featuring Mithun Chakraborty with Meenakshi Sheshadri and Juhi Chawla and though of giving the movie a chance. Now as is the case with most action movies of the 90s and 80s, it is imperative that one uses the fast forward button in order to save time. In this case, there are plenty of dishum dishums, silly explosions and lousy dialogues that warrant fast forward. What works are most of the comedic sequences that feature the combined comic talents of Kader Khan, Meenakshi Sheshadri and Juhi Chawla. It's a pity that the two talented beautiful ladies have little screen time because they provide some of the best laugh out loud scenes (while the rest is just unintentionally funny). My favourite sequence is the swimming pool scene where the inhabitants of the slum including Juhi and Meenakshi's characters invade millionaire Kader Khan's swimming pool. Mithun Chokroborty is the formulaic hero but he does add well to the comedy. Mandakini is cute but her costumes and hairstyle and her death scene are unintentionally hilarious. Overall, 'Shandar' is for those who are up for something of Bollywood B-grade style fun (with some additional great comedy performed by some of the funniest actors).