Mubarakan review: Anil Kapoor is jhakaas in this family entertainer

Arjun Kapoor plays a double role in Anees Bazmee’s Mubarakan while Anil Kapoor plays his larger-than-life uncle. But it is difficult to say who plays the central character. This question, however, doesn’t bother you much as the film is an entertainer, despite its share of minuses. Not many would have expected this after watching the trailers.

Mubarakan starts in the 1990s when a man (Sanjay Kapoor) and his wife are killed in a car accident, but their twins, Karan and Charan, survive. The responsibility of bringing them up lands in the lap of Kartar Singh (Anil Kapoor). But as the task is too difficult for him, he makes his brother (Pavan Malhotra) and sister (Ratna Pathak Shah) adopt Charan and Karan, respectively. 

Therefore, Karan grows up in London and Charan in Punjab as the respective families stay in the UK and in India. Karan’s parents decide to fix his marriage with their business partner’s daughter Binkle (Athiya Shetty). But since he already has a girlfriend in Sweety (Ileana D’Cruz), he asks Charan’s parents to consider him for Binkle. However, Charan secretly loves Nafisa (Neha Sharma). Kartar Singh arrives to solve the problem but ends up creating more problems.

This might sound like an overstatement, but Mubarakan has one of the most complicated storylines one could find. To narrate it visually without creating too much confusion in the minds of the audience, that too while providing laughter, is quite an achievement. The writing has exploited the plot well to create situational humour and one-liners which don’t look forced unlike in some other films of this genre. This includes the senior Kapoor’s character’s hilarious ideas, which stay with you long after the film.

Mubarakan could have been a superlative family comic saga but for some issues with the second half. The manner in which two important characters fall in love with two different people is highly unconvincing and lazy, even by the standards of mindless entertainers. You can’t ignore it as this is not just a little subplot but an important part of the story. The confusion born out of the plot is overdone during the pre-climax while the climax is unnecessarily stretched. 

A film that aims to be an out-and-out entertainer must have at least two or three impressive songs. The tracks in Mubarakan go well with the content. But there is not a single song that is impressive enough for you to think about it after the film. 

The visual quality of the film is enchanting as far as technicalities are concerned. Though very few would notice it, the editing plays a large role in transforming one situation into another in such a complex plot. The camerawork is decent but there are too many aerial shots of London. 

Mubarakan has a huge star cast and most of them live up to the occasion. Arjun Kapoor isn’t known as a great actor and he isn’t flawless here. But he succeeds decently in the difficult task of playing two different characters. Anil Kapoor, however, rules the film. Despite the junior Kapoor playing a double role, it is he who walks home with the maximum applause for his comic timing and high energy. 

Ileana D’Cruz is average. She doesn’t look comfortable in her role. Athiya Shetty is a disappointment. She struggles with her dialogue delivery and expressions. Of the main female cast, it is Neha Sharma who is most impressive despite her limited screen time. Pavan Malhotra and Ratna Pathak Shah prove their versatility once again. The actor playing Ileana D’Cruz's father gives a naturally funny performance. 

Overall, Mubarakan can be seen once for the entertainment and laughter it offers.