As the lens cap came off and the cameras rolled for ‘Bachelor Party,’ produced by the creative force Rakshit Shetty, it seems like the ensemble involved found their slice of merriment in crafting the comedic drama. Yet, the pertinent question looms: Does this revelry resonate with the audience, inducing equal measures of laughter and enjoyment? The answer is a seesaw of affirmation and negation.
Taking a plunge into directorial waters, Abhijit Mahesh’s first venture kicks off with a note of promise. The main character, meek software engineer Santhosh, portrayed by Diganth Manchale with heart and conviction, though restricted by a one-note character, is ensnared in the throes of a loveless marriage. The opening paints a satirical picture of contemporary woes: a fearsome spouse flying off the handle at insignificant triggers, crushing debts under the weight of EMIs, and a workplace marred by favoritism.
The narrative initially dishes out chuckles, particularly during a seminar on blissful matrimonial unions hosted by Mr. Lobo (a cameo from filmmaker Pawan Kumar), who humorously discloses Hollywood actor Johnny Depp as one of his mantra-seeking clients. Humor, however, is a fickle friend; it requires constant innovation, especially when treading the beaten path of matrimonial comedy. ‘Bachelor Party’ stretches this concept, only to evoke the viewer’s waning interest.
Patience wears thin as we yearn for a jolt to revitalize the tale, which arrives as Santhosh, following a heavy-drinking bachelor party, awakens to find himself in Bangkok with life-long friend Maddy (Yogi) and their former physical education teacher (Achyuth Kumar), in a head-nod to ‘The Hangover 2’ and its hunt for a missing person.
‘Bachelor Party’ boldly sets its aim to be a rollicking rollercoaster of laughter. Emotional depth and narrative cohesiveness become the sacrificed lambs to the unyielding hunger for punchlines and eccentric scenarios. This gamble doesn’t always pay dividends; some dialogues tickle the funny bone while others fall flat and tussle with the film’s rhythm.
Achyuth Kumar, Yogi, and Diganth Manchale’s camaraderie provides some consolation, but the comedy reins are not always steady in the hands of director Abhijit Mahesh. Certain flashbacks and chases tire more than inspire, while the less remarked upon the clichéd female roles, the better.
Plot points often receive grand build-ups, but their conclusions lack the satisfying aftertaste one craves, leaving the film only intermittently thrilling. Character development is a missed stroke; Santhosh, bound by a traditional mindset, finds no solace in his Bangkok escape, and Maddy’s evolution is stunted despite an underlying layer of warmth.
It’s the performances that hoist the film above mediocrity. Yogi fits snugly into his role, and his delivery does not miss a beat. Prakash Thuminad, the music-loving owner of a South Indian eatery in Bangkok, once again delivers laughs. The musical score by Arjun Ram deserves an honorable mention, with the tunes periodically awakening the film from its lulls.
Even with a chaotic finale that echoes the essence of a Priyadarshan film, ‘Bachelor Party’ draws the curtains aimed at an audience whose cinematic palate craves “mere entertainment.” Abhijit Mahesh’s prior success as a writer in ‘Kirik Party’ and ‘Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale’ tempted us to expect a polished gem, yet in crafting this comedic medley, the film stumbles into being a patchwork quilt – uneven but still striving to warm its viewers with the next quip or jest.
As of now, ‘Bachelor Party’ continues its sojourn in theaters, extending an invitation to those seeking the spark of the next joke, even if this means foregoing a cohesive and profound cinematic experience.
