Directed by: Rajat Kapoor
Produced by: Pritish Nandy and Rangita Pritish Nandy
Written by: Rajat Kapoor and Saurabh Shukla
Starring: Ranvir Shorey, Gul Panag and Purab Kohli
Rating: ***
Fatso! is a charming and independent flick directed by the multi-talented Rajat Kapoor. There was hardly any buzz around the movie but it is definitely worth seeing! This film is not a mass entertainer but is one for discerning audiences.
Image: Fatso Movie Theatrical Release Poster | Courtesy: Pritish Nandy Communications.
Gul Panag is engaged to Purab Kohli. Ranveer Shorey is their fat painter friend. Gunjan Bakshi and Neil Bhoopalam are dating each other and also part of the group. The guys are driving out of Mumbai when there is an accident. Ranveer Shorey is supposed to die but the angel of death, played by Brijendra Kala, takes away Purab Kohli’s soul instead. So he finds himself in the government office of dead people and negotiates with them to send him back in Ranveer’s body so he can get another chance at life. Will he reunite with Gul Panag and set everything right?
I had no expectations from Fatso and didn’t even know what it was about. I was delightfully surprised when I saw the movie. The film is short and moves at a comfortable pace. You don’t even realize when half the movie is over. The story is similar to the old Hindi film Jhuk Gaya Aasman. The movie treats a serious subject with humour. The style is conversational and natural. The movie makes you giggle, laugh, and smile from start-to-finish. The music is peppy and mostly in the background. There are many messages such as enjoying every aspect of life, loving life unconditionally, not judging people by their appearances, and some more and all this is depicted in a fashion that is not preachy. The sequence at the death administration office is superbly executed and I loved the hazy light to give an ethereal effect. The dialogues are sharp and flow easily.
Rajat Kapoor’s direction is commendable and his subject is unique and he manages to pull it off. The production values are contemporary and pretty. The performances by everyone are one of the major strengths of the movies. Gul is such a gifted and natural actress and so much at ease with her English lines. Purab Kohli is as likeable as ever and makes an impression in his short role. Neil Bhoopalam is easy on the eye and pulls off his grey character. Gunjan Bakshi is pretty and makes a wonderful debut and holds her own opposite a relatively experienced cast. Brijendra Kala as the angel of death is superb and memorable. The one thing that I expected to see was Ranveer revealing his identity but that didn’t happen. The ending is the happiest and most spontaneous you have seen in a while. There are many nuances in the movies which you will discover for yourself. The way the friends hang out is identifiable.
Fatso is a sweet and whimsical movie. Rajat Kapoor ably handles a different subject. Watch it and walk out with a smile on your face!
