Dedh Ishqiya review, a must watch movie

Despite the near-fatal outcome of their misdemeanours in the first film, Khalu and Babban are far from reformed. Khalu arrives in the palace of Mahmudabad where the beauteous Begum Para (Madhuri Dixit) is hosting a festival of poetry and music. He passes himself off as a nawaab. The intention is to loot the palace but Khalu falls in love. On the other hand the Begum, a widow, is looking for the right match. When Babban arrives in Mahmudabad, he falls for Muniya (Huma Qureshi), the Begum's maid. The women are more deceptive than Khalu and Babban can imagine, we realise as the reels roll.

Director Abhishek Chaubey goes one up with treatment in Dedh Ishqiya, seamlessly fusing his tale of love in the time of intrigue with suspense and humour. He also reserves ample space to excel for each of his talented actors.

Statuesque in screen presence and dancing to Birju Maharaj's beat as only she can, Madhuri would perhaps have hijacked all limelight if not for Naseeruddin Shah. The veteran actor casts an underplayed spell as Khalujaan, his rough-hewn avatar as a conman only rivalled in perfection by the gravitas he lends to his royal guise.

Arshad Warsi has pleasantly slipped into a comfort zone when it comes to striking the right chemistry with Naseer. Their scenes together remain a highlight and Arshad is impressive in the way he measures up to the veteran.

Huma Qureshi's character comes alive only in the later half. She adds a sexy spark amid the seasoned cast. An act you simply can't ignore comes from Vijay Raaz. He smoothly blends his streaks as the gullible lover obsessed with Begum Para and the hardboiled goon who lives by the gun.

Dedh Ishqiya makes desi go dangerous all over again. It's a whopper of a start for Bollywood in 2014. In a line, not to be missed.