July 01, 2011
Cast: Imran Khan, Vir Das, Kunal Roy Kapoor, Vijay Raaz, Shenaz Treasurywala, Poorna Jagannathan
Director: Abhinay Deo
Packed with rude humor and made with the intention to shock you, Delhi Belly is a filthy comic thriller that works because it’s a smartly paced wild-ride. Mind you, it doesn’t have a madly inventive story. Yet with sharp performances and a tight script by Akshat Verma, it’s 90 minutes well spent.
Most of its action erupts within a derelict apartment shared by three buddies – Tashi, Arup and Nitin – struggling to make the rent. Tashi, played by Imran Khan, is a journalist with a nagging fiancée from hell, Sonia (played by Shenaz Treasurywala). An airhostess, Sonia orders Tashi to drop off a parcel she’s promised to deliver as a favor for a friend. The unsuspecting girl has been used as a courier by a diamond-smuggling ring, and it all starts to go terribly wrong when the package is mistakenly swapped by Arup (played by Vir Das). All hell breaks loose when a stoic gangster, played wonderfully by Vijay Raaz, receives a stool sample instead, belonging to Nitin (played by Kunal Roy Kapoor), who has been struck by a horrific case of Delhi belly. Yes, I have to admit it’s disgusting, but it’s also very funny.
Adding to this strange cocktail of characters is Tashi’s free-spirited colleague Menaka, played by Poorna Jagannathan, who unfortunately is still trying to shake off a jealous, boorish ex-husband. Expect screeching car chases, colorful expletives (one of which is even written backwards into a song), a stylishly-shot gunfight in a hotel room, and a generous dose of irony.
Delhi Belly is solid storytelling; it isn’t complicated, but has enough mild twists to keep you entertained. Director Abhinay Deo does a good job of sinking his teeth into the script, and what helps it along are hilarious performances by Vir Das and Kunal Roy Kapur. Imran Khan, meanwhile, clearly enjoying himself in a part with no star trappings, sportingly allows his co-stars to take the lion’s share of jokes here.
Despite its title, this film is no ode to Delhi – it’s a madcap caper that frankly could have been set in any city. Yet it’s Ram Sampath’s music for Delhi Belly that plays almost another character in the movie, right from the lazy KL Saigal-style opening credits, to the jazzy pop of the closing credits comical-spoof featuring Aamir Khan. My favourite, in fact, is an outrageous number, choreographed by Farah Khan, where Arup has his disco revenge on his girlfriend for jilting him.
Uninhibited and naughty, Delhi Belly is an enjoyable comedy that has enough frenzied moments to keep you in your seats. I’m going with three-and-a-half out of five for director Abhinay Deo’s Delhi Belly. A good laugh is guaranteed.
(This review first aired on CNN-IBN)
Don’t know about the Hinglish version but the Hindi version sucked. Bad dubbing and bad English to Hindi dialog substitution.
Comment by Leela — July 2, 2011 @ 12:09 am
Rajeev, i don’t agree with your rating. Rather these movies should be appreciated as they give you a break from typical bollywood movies and makes you feel that we are coming of age in Indian cinema. The expletives are more real as they reflect the real society that exists.
I would go with 4 out of 5 as i was watching the reaction of the multiplex audience in B’lore.
Note: This actually need to be seen in only english.
Comment by Alok — July 2, 2011 @ 1:10 am
Ok! now Rajeev has given 3.5, I need to go for this….
Comment by ANkit — July 2, 2011 @ 1:25 am
Galis galis and more galis. Otherwise some boob pressing ( a first in Hindi cinema). Anna hazare catch the censor board theyve taken ghoos to pass this one.
If every film person is allOwed to make cinema like this even the gali talon genere would fizzle out. So enjoy it as a first.
Comment by Sameer — July 2, 2011 @ 2:34 am
Finally 3.5…He had given bad rating to ready,but ready becomes blockbuster.So i cant belive ur rating.U only like multiplex movie..u don’t like commercial movie..Indian film consists 2 types basically…u should have to appreciate both types of movie…So I like rating of Komal nahata from etc bollywood business/koimoi.com.
Comment by shakti — July 2, 2011 @ 7:28 am
Has the english version released in India? I saw it in hindi and now I want to see it in English so…
Comment by Knn — July 2, 2011 @ 8:57 am
Rajeev I really liked the way you appreciated the film. I have seen this film it is an awdsome movie with fantastic comedy will keep everyone entertaining. My ratings would be 5 out of 5.
Comment by Himanshu — July 2, 2011 @ 9:32 am
So far Best movie of this year.
Comment by rahul — July 2, 2011 @ 9:34 am
One of the best entertaining film ever or may be the most. My rating *****
Comment by mukul — July 2, 2011 @ 9:38 am
it’s aamir khan productions,so it’s gotta be good!!!!
Comment by Kashish Jajodia — July 2, 2011 @ 10:45 am
they have tried to crate something diffrent and of course the uniqueness of a film has got to do nothing with the commercial sucess of a movie, its the script that matters after all but this will only lead to another step in the westernization of indian cinema we sho
uld make movies that are more indian by content and easy for the common man to understand. there was a time when film making was a passion and way of living for the people of india but now the theatre has just become another outing place for friends and family. films like delhi belly will only add on to it.
Comment by siddharth nayak — July 2, 2011 @ 10:58 am
Delhi Belly is a superb movie.. Pure and unadulterated storytelling.. At times, very bold too.. Ready is a blockbuster only because of Salman Khan. He is now like the Rajinikanth of Bollywood. Remember the fate of ‘Thank You’ made by the same director? As Masand says, the commercial success shouldnt be compared to the ratings.. Masand is the most honest critic of the recent times. Hats off!
Comment by Vamsi — July 2, 2011 @ 12:00 pm
Rajeev, I’ve always admired you. Your ratings are never bias. But I don’t know why you gave Delhi Belly a 3.5 star… There’s nothing negative written about the movie. So as a fan, I would like to know what was not up to the mark that the movie did not get a 4 or above ratings…
Comment by Ajay Agarwal — July 2, 2011 @ 1:34 pm
Oh my god !! Rajeev assigning 3.5 . Will surely watch to see how d shit happens !!
Comment by Rajesh Pandey — July 2, 2011 @ 1:41 pm
On which basis u gave 3.5 stars.. only bcoz of aamir khan or gali and gali…?????
Comment by Shahid — July 2, 2011 @ 6:25 pm
gud movie…real entertainer…
but better dont go wid ur family…
too short movie and also full songs are not there…
**1/2 stars.
Comment by Amit — July 2, 2011 @ 7:44 pm
I just love Delhi Belly…A very good script a well directed movie….but some hardcore delhi lingo……but the quantity of the lingo is less than the vishal bhardawaj’s movies but being delli wala i give on 4.5 on scale of 5 ..just bcoz sm scenes were hard to digest but overall who care whn u are coming out with a smiling face 🙂
Comment by Sarwar — July 3, 2011 @ 1:14 am
Awesome movie! haven’t laugh this much in any movie before. Watched in Hindi, though bad dubbing, but I think watching it in English won’t be as much fun as in Hindi
Fantastic movie.
Watched it 4-5 hours back and am still LMAO 😀
Rating: 3/5
Comment by Harjot Shah Singh — July 3, 2011 @ 1:41 am
Is it just me or is the main plot of this movie really on the lines of ‘Snatch’? Right down to the dry humour? I guess this is what Mr. Masand is alluding to when he says ‘It doesn’t have a madly inventing story’.
The movie is wonderful though. And a shout out to Vijay Raaz, who can breathe life into any role.
Comment by Sherlock Holmes — July 3, 2011 @ 1:46 am
well deserved rating….3.5/5
Comment by Lalit — July 3, 2011 @ 1:53 pm
Great film….go watch it !
Comment by nitin — July 3, 2011 @ 2:13 pm
dubbing sucked big time
Comment by abhay gobade — July 3, 2011 @ 3:53 pm
great respect for u… but this is an absurd movie… school going kids are singing D K bose.. what a shame .. making good films is a social responsibility too… this is not indian culture…. after taare zameen par.. this is most shocking movie one can ever think about…. shame on aamir and bollywood for such an irresponsible work…
Comment by docalpesh — July 3, 2011 @ 6:09 pm
Awesome movie…….Best movie of the year!!!!!!!
Comment by Rahul — July 3, 2011 @ 9:21 pm
this is a reallY REALLY serious shit. Wohooo. This is what called smart ass movie. Go 4 it,and take ur chudals with u. Costs
3.5 stars to enjoy d ride.
Comment by Soumya — July 3, 2011 @ 9:33 pm
Sh!t Happens!!! and this was a movie I enjoyed the most. a Bold movie. It needs guts to do such movies. Hats off to the entire Delhi Belly team. 5/5
Comment by Vijay — July 4, 2011 @ 12:29 am
one more film critic losing or rather not having balls to write against amir khan – or may be amir khan does something to overcome thoughts – net net if u r a movie connoisseur – u ll hate it – may be beginners delight – i look forward for masands reviews but this one somehow differed from my views…it was a crapy movie – it was made by ad film makers who cant sustain beyond 30 seconds…
my views on the film:
Never realised tht Bhag d k bose…bhag d k bose – was actually meant for ppl cng the movie – they trap u inside for 96 minutes without any interval and expose u to fart, shit (real one), filth, abuses every scene (jabardasti ones), dubbed hindi, no story, no plot, patchy and imran still cannot act (he does same stuff as in jaane tu..)…amir khans disco dance in the end is rubbish – u ll manage a few laughs here and there – the new girl in the movie,some ranganathan is pretty – 2.5 star types…in the end as their punch line says “SHIT HAPPENS”…
Comment by Rajiv — July 4, 2011 @ 9:49 am
worst movie…..
except cheap things nuthing….expect…
aamir please give divrorce to kiran….
she will trunk ur name and fame..
Comment by vaibhav choudhari — July 4, 2011 @ 1:18 pm
nothing new..
have seen the same thng in plenty of hollywood movies,
actually itz jus a first for bollywood,tats the only reason for it getting so popular,nothng else..
aamir khan sure knows how to sell movies..
the level of our movies is jusss going down down down..
Comment by Rashmi — July 4, 2011 @ 5:50 pm
Sir, i watched delhi belly yesterday. I don’t think that the story line is good enough. But the new concept surely help me watching it till the end. so according to me 3 star is worth for this movie out of five. And surely its not a family movie.
Comment by vegeta — July 5, 2011 @ 8:00 am
the orange juice,g**** is like a solar eclipse, the dialouge vijay raaz speaks before being shot at in the end are a few of the many hilarious moments this movie has to offer.today it might be a bold flick but in 2054 we’ll look back at delhi belly as a classic.exactly the way we look at guide and hum dono these days.timeless classics i suppose.this is a 7 star flick and it is another milestone after l.s.d(2010) and paanch(2002) if anyone has seen that.
Comment by shobhit — July 5, 2011 @ 11:11 am
Sir, do read my review
http://thepuccacritic.blogspot.com/2011/07/delhi-belly.html
Comment by Anup Pandey — July 5, 2011 @ 10:23 pm
DELHI BELLY is a boldest indian film ever (strictly for youth only)
3/5
Comment by Manju — July 5, 2011 @ 10:34 pm
I think Delhi Belly has redefined bollywood. Films like these are always cool because of the unpredictable its nature. I went to the theater for some adult comedy, and all I got was something more than what I anticipated. I was at one time, pushing my stomach back and balancing myself on the chair from getting down. It was an absolute gem. Yes I would definitely give it a 4-4.5/5 mainly because I loved the Toilet humour in it.
Comment by Xavier — July 6, 2011 @ 4:27 pm
The worst movie i have ever seen and worst rating ever given. Seriously shit movie and biased ratings. Indian movies are expected to be watched by whole family but Aamir Khan proudly says he applied for ‘A’ certificate. Very Shame. Amazingly Rajeev gives 3.5 ratings. Wah Wah
Comment by Chandu — July 7, 2011 @ 12:30 am
hiii rajiv sorry but i am not happy with ur review on dely belly…. it doesnt have any story at all and the super songs were not included in the films thats not good,,,, first i am unhappy with ur review but still i am ur huge fan,…. thank u.
Comment by arun — July 7, 2011 @ 1:34 pm
This is a totally senseless movie which made only to earn money. This movie is not giving any good message to society. The kind of abusive language used in this movie is totally a shit like this movie
Comment by kmadhv — July 7, 2011 @ 3:01 pm
full of gallis and more gallis..
nothng like a 3 star movie..
for the first time i dont agree with you rajeev!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Rashmi — July 8, 2011 @ 11:01 am
I think it’s one of the best films I have seen in recent times. It’s so good to finally see a movie with no KJO crap or the usual stupid comedies which Bollywood tries hard to copy from Hollywood. Aamir Khan has shown that Change is required in this industry and it was nice not to see the Kyon Ki Saas Bhi …… crowd for once laughing for dumb jokes. Its a total entertainer for the youth of India and also for Mature minded people with a great sense of humour. Rajeev’s 3.5 is not too harsh at all since he doesnt rate any movie more than 2 stars usually. I hope the censor board finally wakes up and starts to approve such moves in the near future and accept the reality of todays Young India. And as for the JOBLESS INDIAN CULTURE FREAKS. Here is another chance for you jobless fools to leave your homes and protest about this movie cribbing about the culture of India. Slap in your faces you Bums.
Comment by Imran — July 8, 2011 @ 11:46 am
rajeev i always follow u b4 goin fr a movie… i feel bad to c delhi belly at 3.5 bcoz its very tough to get 3.5 frm u . bad rating nd dats fr d very first time. Delhi belly 3.5 naah never. Aamir khan jus earning money by adding gaalis nd all bcoz he knws he vl get audience fr dat..he is clever boy bt movie was wahie old story
Comment by nadeem — July 9, 2011 @ 12:22 am
This movie is not perfect in any way….so is Hangover so is pineapple express but i would like to make a point here i recently saw this Movie ” Ready” it has Salman Khan in it and apart from that it is like a very ordinary movie…filmmaking is dubbed as this millenium’s art form so atleast we can do is appreciate a new and different art… actor are suppose to act and get appreciated and should not be appreciated because they are good looking and have good attitude…i am not saying Delhi belly is the best hindi movie ever but surely it is not conventional and we should appreciate it…
Comment by Sambit Padhan — July 9, 2011 @ 2:59 pm
Sir, I follow you for every Hindi movie and always agree with you. But this time not at all agree with you and you have proved that you are nothing better than the rubbish Nikhat Kazmi. What is that making you this ?
I feel this movie is Just a Hyper/maniac drama with many time repeated concept. And the humor to show crap on a Table the way it has been shown is a really crap stuff.
Hope , when i come to here again to read a new review you do not disappoint.
Rajesh,
Edinburgh
Comment by Rajesh — July 9, 2011 @ 5:01 pm
Friends, movies should be reviewed on the basis of art and craft of movie making, and not on emotional/personal feelings. If you find dolby digital FARTing sound a pathbreaking move for cinema, and putting as many cuss words in the script is a bold/refreshing cinema, then Delhi Belly is a classic for you.
However, to judge a movie, it is best to put things in perspective. And if you dig deeper you will find too many, which will point towards the hollowness of the idea and intent behind Delhi Belly.
Comment by kamaal — July 10, 2011 @ 11:26 pm
As if gaalis have to be specifically taught to the entire youth through the cinema medium, it would make better sense if gaalis used in the right way, like it was done in some movies, ex: Omkara. . You cant take gaali as a point of attraction in a movie, just not enough maturity atleast…
Comment by Vishwas — July 14, 2011 @ 3:13 am
such a wannabe movie!!! tried to do a hangover…. failed miserably!!! the gaalis seemed forced.. the accents terrible!!! doesn’t deserve 3 and a half stars…. maybe a rotten egg!!!!!….
but must give credit to amir khan for his genius in selling the movie to idiots like us!!! complete dissapoinment…
Comment by vrinda.v — July 16, 2011 @ 6:51 pm
Most of the time I have great fun hearing and reading your reviews, Rajeev. But it seems like “getting attention” has replaced creativity. No matter what the “Youth Culture” of India has to say, we are not seeing anything more than Pop culture expressing itself at this moment in time. We’re nothing special, but now we’re even proud of not giving ourselves the chance to be special. I for one think always that it is only the people who are not creative have the need to use the crutches of ways to “get attention”. Charlie Chaplin didn’t need toilet humour, did he? He didn’t even need words, and it is sad to see some fools here expecting this sort of movie to become some sort of classic! Entertainment can be mindless, just like fun, but we don’t have to be mindless while we should be acknowledging mindlessness. For heavens sake, people, don’t think this represents “Indian” cinema in any way. Watch some Tamil movies that did well the last couple of years.
Comment by B S Kumar — July 17, 2011 @ 7:38 pm
Anks Movie Review: “Delhi Belly” (4/5) – Finally got to see it. Story about three room mates who are struggling with their life and how they get into action packed trouble by one wrong delivery of diamond vs. SHIT. Funny, Smart, Intriguing…… a quite typical Guy Richie style of movie making and one can say its a breakthrough movie for Indian Cinema. Timing and editing was superb…… and dialogues were hilarious. Read about hue and cry about Foul language used… but it was unlike other movies it was gelling well with all the sequence. Good job by Imraan, Kunal & Vir ….. Two Thumbs Up!!!!
Comment by Ankesh — July 21, 2011 @ 7:44 pm
Rajeev i think u should get back to basics of movie making…….We want entertainment thats why we pay..Delhi belly did not offer any entertainment to me as it was the same thing when you walk on streets of delhi ,mumbai….Abusive language…Shitty movi
Comment by Jay oval — July 24, 2011 @ 11:57 am
4/5
this most wonderfull screenplay of the year
Comment by vasani rushi — August 8, 2011 @ 7:51 pm