Seeing no other option, Om comes to India to sell a small piece of an ancestral property. But within days of landing in India, he is kidnapped by a 'recession-hit' underworld gang [Sanjay Mishra, Manu Rishi, Amit Sial], who think that he is still a millionaire. How do the gangsters cope with their catch forms the rest of the story.
PHAS GAYE RE OBAMA showcases how global recession/meltdown impacted lives, affecting not just an America-based businessman, but also an underworld don in the dusty plains of small-town India. A spanklingly new idea indeed. And the assorted characters, right from Sanjay Mishra to Manu Rishi to Neha Dhupia to Amole Gupte, only make the goings-on spicy.
Handled deftly by Subhash Kapoor, an extremely talented director, the film has several sequences that stay in your memory much after the film has concluded. I'd like to single out the sequence when Manu Rishi meets Rajat Kapoor for the first time. The sequence involving the English class teacher also stays with you. The climax is smart and I really liked the way Subhash Kapoor concluded the story.
PHAS GAYE RE OBAMA is an engaging film because of its largely original writing. Also, director Subhash Kapoor allows the actors enough room to interpret their characters well. Rajat Kapoor as the suave NRI is natural, Neha Dhupia as Lady Gabbar is convincing, Sanjay Mishra as the broke gangster is incredible, Manu Rishi as the helpless sidekick of the gangster is wonderful and Amole Gupte as the gangster/politician gets his timing spot-on. Although each actor pitches in a commendable performance, I'd like to single out Sanjay Mishra and Manu Rishi for making every sequence they feature in, tremendous.
On the whole, PHAS GAYE RE OBAMA banks on an interesting premise rather than a galaxy of stars to deliver what it promises. Few film-makers stick their necks out to tell tricky and complex stories in these days of mindless entertainers making loads of money at the ticket window. For their intentions alone, the makers of PHAS GAYE RE OBAMA merit that support. Here's a request to all cine lovers and also multiplexes, from this writer. Give this one a chance. Let's nurture and support it well, so that genuine and honest efforts like PHAS GAYE RE OBAMA don't go unnoticed.
Source: Bollywood Hunagama
Phas Gaye Re Obama
