To Harihar Nagar – Review

The four musketeers are back to take us on a roller coaster ride down the memory lane through Harihar Nagar, to tickle even our last funny bone. To Harihar Nagar by director Lal of the famous Siddique-Lal team, has proved beyond doubt that a sequel can be as good as a prequel.

Mahadevan, Appukuttan, Govindankutty and Thomaskutty are back in Harihar Nagar for another reunion. Long 18 years after In Harihar Nagar, the gang of boys are back, but for a change as men who are slowly settling with their family and children. Mahadevan (Mukesh) the personality development instructor in Gulf, Govindan Kutty (Siddique) the builder in Bangalore and Appukuttan (Jagadeesh) the dentist in Kerala plan a surprise visit for Thomaskutty's (Asokan) betrothal. The year is 1980 and the movie unfolds with the church sequence.

Back in Harihar Nagar at Govindankutty's villa, they try to relieve their good old bachelorhood days by indulging in some mischief. Call it a strange coincidence, a girl by name Maya comes to stay in the house adjacent to theirs. When she leaves flowers at their doorstep with a note expressing her desire to meet them, they are reminded of Maya who had come to Harihar Nagar years before.. Hoping to renew the friendship, they set out in search of her.

To their pleasant surprise, a new beautfiul face (Lakshmi Rai) awaits them. Though they have left behind their boyish days for their blissful married lives, the romance is still alive in their minds. Nothing can possibly change them and the men spare no time in becoming the youngsters they used to be. They leave no stone unturned in wooing the gorgeous beauty. What follows then is a trail of comic sequences succeeded by many twists and inevitable surprises.

Definitely our handsome Honai has not left the show. As Freddy honai, the son of John Honai, he is back for revenge. If the first half caters to comedy, the second half has tried to dish out a generous dose of adventure laced with comedy. At times it bear some resemblances with Mannarmathai Speaking and Ramji Rao Speaking. The frolicsome four are just as amazing as they were 18 years back.

The movie has some cringes here and there. While the mood is set in the first half, the second half has failed to catch the spirit. Unlike In Harihar Nagar, comedy is not a part and parcel of every scene in To Harihar Nagar. While In Harihar Nagar had humour oozing out of every scene, one tends to miss the inevitable presence of humour throughout the sequel. Overlooking this misgiving, the sequel has definitely done justice to the prequel.

Jagadeesh has won back his covetuous position, bringing back those innocent days in Harihar Nagar. He is definitely the star amongst the lot. If Geetha Vijayan had played the lead role in In Harihar Nagar with seasoned actresses Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Philomena, Lakshmi Rai has come to be the new Maya of the sequel, adding glamour to the movie. Salim Kumar has been roped in to enhance the bonding among the frolicsome four. Apart from them Rohini appears as Mahadevan's wife, Lena as Govindan Kutty's wife, Fabi as Appukuttan's wife and Rakhi as Thomas Kutty's wife.

The remix verions of the songs "Unnam marannu thenni parannu..." and 'Ekantha chandrike...", rendered by Alex Paul have definitely gone well with the audiences. Director Lal has not come to face the camera. The frames are very lively and the graphic work is marvellous.

This summer set aside your expectations and go for the laughter ride. The return of the mischievious four will not let you down even though memories may keep flooding your mind time and again.

Director: Lal

Cast: Mukesh, Jagadeesh, Ashokan, Sidhique, Salim Kumar, Lakshmi Rai, Kochupreman

Producer: Lal Creations and PNV Associates

Music: Alex Paul