'Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic'

Starring : Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Amisha Patel
Director : Kunal Kohli

All cinematic blasphemies can be forgiven when you see a delightful, heart-winning tale filled with fun; frolic, fantasy and some tear-jerking drama unfold on the screen. That’s what Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is.

So even if you think for a moment that director Kunal Kohli has blasphemed when you see a squeaky clean Rishi Kapoor playing God who uses state-of-the-art technology to see the workings of His creation (read human life) from heaven that is just above the clouds, you accept it, knowing that it is a fantasy Bollywood flick, and that too by Kunal Kohli.

Instead of blaming Kohli for being far-fetched in his imagination, you prefer to lean back and prod the long lost child inside you to resurface and enjoy the film. Before getting carried away by my childish excitement, let me give an outline of the story.

Ranvir Talwar (Saif Ali Khan) is a self-made man who grew up as an orphan. He has got everything – a flourishing business empire, a sensuous bimbo in tow (Amisha Patel), a swanky bungalow and, not to forget, a constant frown on his face. But he's got no time.

Ranvir’s life changes after a car accident in which a couple dies because of his mistake. The court, instead of kicking him off to prison, gives an unusual verdict. Ranvir has to be the guardian of the four orphans of the dead couple and take care of them until the youngest of them becomes an adult.

But the kids hate Ranvir. And Ranvir feels no different towards them. Put up in the house of their parents’ killer, the kids plot revenge.

It would take nothing less than a divine intervention to foster peace and love between Ranvir and the vengeful tots. The good God himself takes the trouble of summoning one of his favorite fairies, Geeta (Rani Mukherjee), to go to the world of humans and do His work. And down she comes, cycling on a rainbow (like some lost sister of Lance Armstrong) and straight into the life of Ranvir and his four cute ill-wishers. What happens thereafter better is seen than written about.

The most commendable thing about ‘Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic’ is that it makes the most ludicrous of scenes engaging and fun to watch. Be it the fairy (as the nanny of the kids) turning the boring National Museum into a magical, living theatre of history, or the four naughty kids ruining the poolside party of Ranvir’s skimpily clad squeeze (Amisha) – you relish it all with the buoyancy of an adolescent yourself.

‘Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic’ does not belong to any one actor. Speaking in cricket parlance, it’s a team effort. Saif Ali Khan does superb as the frowning, scowling, busy-as-a-bee businessman who gradually transforms into a loving, caring, doting guardian. Rani Mukherjee is pretty good as the blabbermouth fairy who performs magical feats as if she was doing something trivial, like playing carrom. And it is a great relief to see her play a character that doesn’t weep.

Apart from this, ‘Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic’ is pretty enjoyable. It has many engaging moments. My favourite is the one in which Iqbal tells Ranvir that he doesn’t want to be a Sikh. Another favourite of mine comes at the end. I’m not sure if the director intended it. But on a street in Hollywood, the camera captures two delightful words written on a wall. The words are: Buck Fush. Written on an American street, it doesn’t take much imagination to figure out what they mean.

Kunal Kohli’s direction has many rough edges. For instance, his style of shot composition needs a great deal of improvement. The film’s music is also ho-hum.

‘Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic’ released on June 27th, 2008

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