Phas Gaye Re Obama (2005) is a Bollywood dark comedy movie directed by Subhash Kapoor and features Rajat Kapoor, Neha Dhupia, Sanjay Mishra, Manu Rishi and Amole Gupte in the lead roles. Here’s our quick Phas Gaye Re Obama review.
The story starts with Anni (Manu Rishi) and his crime partners who all work for Bhai Sahab (Sanjay Mishra), a criminal, viewing U.S president Barack Obama’s well-known show ‘Yes We Can’ on TV. Anni is appeared as a major enthusiast of Obama and wants to relocate to the US. Om [Rajat Kapoor], an American resident of Indian birthplace (NRI), who loses all his riches overnight to the worldwide downturn and is asked to abandon his home by the bank, except if he settles up $ 100,000 [the sold amount] within 30 days. He comes to India to sell his hereditary property or the “Haveli” as it is known as in Uttar Pradesh as his last expectation.
In any case, within days of arriving in India, he is abducted by a ‘downturn hit’ gangster group, who believe that he is as yet a mogul. They expected to get some ransom so that they can make some good money. Om is kidnapped but later tells Bhai Sahab and his men that he is bankrupt.
The film shows how lives have been affected by global recession and meltdown, influencing not only an American-based NRI businessman but also an underworld don in the small-town of India’s dusty plains. In reality, a new concept to be honest. The film, directed skillfully by a very talented director, Subhash Kapoor, has many scenes which will remain in your memory long after the movie is over.
When Manu Rishi first meets Rajat Kapoor, is one of the best sequences from the film. The scene of the English class teacher also stays with you. The climax is crafty, and you will really enjoy the way Subhash Kapoor culminated in the story. Because of its original story, Phas Gaye Re Obama is an entertaining movie with good amount of dark humour. Director has given performers enough space for their characters to be interpreted correctly.
As a gentle NRI, Rajat Kapoor is great and Neha Dhupia as ‘Lady Gabbar’ is memorable. Sanjay Mishra as usual is phenomenal as small-town gangster. Manu Rishi is incredible as the helpless partner of the gangster and Amole Gupte for the politician had is the comic script on point and the character bloomed out to be a wonderful one. Although the film slowly increases its pace in the first half of its duration, it is entertaining through amusing scenes and discussions which aren’t loud and absurd, but wacky and truly humorous. The second half of the film is carefully and sensitively written to include suspense, drama, and humor in a satire.
One of my favorite funny scenes, which is also very popular, is the scene of the English Coaching Centre where Anni and Om’s nephew were yelled upon by their English teacher. The entire movie is shot in rural India setting and background score adds more fun to the entire experience of the movie. Hope you got a good glimpse in this Phas Gaye Re Obama review. It is one of the underrated Bollywood movies, and a Must Watch!
You can watch Phas Gaye Re Obama movie on hotstar.