Kaun Banegi Shikharwati Movie Review: A Spoofy Fun Ride With Highly Irregular, Dysfunctional But Entertaining Family

ZEE5's latest original Kaun Banegi Shikharwati has a big cast, something really big for an OTT space but as we talk about giving justice to it.. well, it isn't sufficient. Comedy is one of the toughest genres ever because most of the time it is about mad things, which are far away from realism, logic and sense. But we still love watching them because they offer nothing but entertainment. In the past few years, this genre has suffered from lack of smart writing and nobody can deny that. Everything just feels so underwhelming and unsatisfactory except for a few genuinely good comedies. Kaun Banegi Shikharwati brings the same old wine in a new bottle. You open it, drink it and realize that you need something new. However, there are some ingredients which can fulfill your appetite to certain limits hence, the film doesn't really disappoint you like a wholesome crap.Kaun Banegi Shikharwati is based on crazy characters which are there only to make you laugh. A former king (Naseeruddin Shah) has got a big total of tax to pay and is losing his realm, his people. He decides to unite his four daughters (Lara Dutta, Soha Ali Khan, Kritika Kamra, Anya Singh) by luring them under the name of Royal Games. They have to participate in 9 games and whoever leads the points table will take away the entire property, The King's status and so called 'Treasure'. The sisters, who despised each other, participate for the sake of money but learn a big deal about love, relationship and care during the period. The writing takes references from several old school comedies that we have seen multiple times on TV/DVDs and sometimes it looks dumb too. You never see the King behaving like a King, or he's never really that 'Genius', but to pass your time, you just move forward to see the end.Performances are some relief here but not upto the real potential of those actors. It's a big cast out there fighting for maximum screen space but hardly leaves any impact. Naseeruddin Shah plays a spoofy King, whom you'd like to believe, only because you don't wish to see any serious stuff. He has got a few scenes where he comes out in his real form of 'The Naseeruddin Shah'. Lara Dutta and Soha Ali Khan's chemistry is engaging and it creates a sort of curiosity as well. Lara, the elder sister, shows everything she has got right from looks to accent to expressions. Soha's character is probably the most intense one here and she carries it smoothly. Watch out for her scenes with those two cute little philosophers.The most glamorous and modernized girl in the family is Kritika Kamra. She is that young social media fanatic you see in almost every daily soap nowadays. Her glam appeal is too high and the accent is totally killer. 'That is Lit', 'OMG' and 'Dude', the way she says is absolutely Lit! Coming to the youngest sister, Anya Singh. A typical youngster who is worried about her career. She has got ideas but no confidence. Anya's character lacks uniqueness but sometimes the mainstream structure works and that's what happened here. Raghubir Yadav's commentary, Cyrus Sahukar's support as a typical husband adds up to something that can't be overlooked.From the screenwriter's point of view it's a funny film alright, however, it fails to bring organic gags. Gauravv K Chawla and Ananya Banerjee's duo could have offered a better comedy with the same script. Nevertheless, Kaun Banegi Shikharwati has some moments that can be enjoyed by the family audience and however nutty this family may be, it surely makes you laugh once in a while in every episode. Yes, it's a bit longer (10 episodes, each 35-40 minutes long is indeed a bit longer) but not boring or headache kind of stuff at all. Enjoy the spoofy fun ride with this irregular, peculiar and dysfunctional family which tries to deliver nothing but entertainment.