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By Taran Adarsh, June 18, 2005 - 11:56 IST
One of the finest actors of the country, Govinda, is back after a sabbatical. Directed by Govinda's brother Kirti Kumar, who gave us the likeable HATYA, SSUKH is an acid test for the two brothers.
So, does the actor make a terrific comeback? Does SSUKH reaffirm your belief in that powerhouse of talent that mesmerized millions of moviegoers since LOVE 86 and ILZAAM? Has Kirti changed with the times and come up with a product that the moviegoer of today would identify with?
Despite Govinda's spirited performance, SSUKH remains a film that doesn't do justice to the actor's enormous talent. Reason: A lopsided script, of course!
Chandraprakash [Govinda] is leading a content life with his wife Sushila [Preeti Jhangiani]. Sushila's close friend Bhavna [Aarti Chhabria], who has separated from her husband Rakesh [Chunkey Pandey], decides to visit Chandraprakash and Sushila for a few days.
Bhavna's lawyer Khalilbhai [Mahesh Anand] informs her that her grand-father has bequeathed Rs. 10 crores to her. But there's a catch: She would inherit the money only if her marital life is perfect. Or else, her conniving brother [Sharat Saxena] and sister-in-law [Pratima Kazmi] would inherit the huge amount.
Things take a turn when Bhavna's brother and sister-in-law drop by to check her marital status. To keep matters under control, Bhavna introduces Chandraprakash as her husband. Not convinced with Bhavna's explanations, her brother and sister-in-law hire a detective [Avtar Gill] to keep track of her whereabouts.
Things get complicated when Rakesh re-emerges on the scene. Also, Sushila starts feeling restless when she realizes that Chandraprakash is spending more time with Bhavna.
The problems with SSUKH are manifold. First and foremost, the film rests on an outdated plot. In today's time and age, when Hindi cinema is going through a metamorphosis, stories such as these look completely out of place.
The second flaw lies in its execution. The handling of the subject reminds you of the cinema of 1980s. Nothing wrong with churning out a masala flick that's reminiscent of the cinema of yore, but the packaging has to be contemporary. In this case, it's not!
The plot gets childish at times, like the portions when Govinda and Aarti have to prove to the detective that they're indeed a couple. From walking with a bedsheet draped around them to dancing in their home to even spending a night together, every trick in the book looks far-fetched.
One often wonders why the thought of calling a cop, to complain about the detective [for invading their privacy], doesn't cross any of the characters' mind. Bhavna could've also led a simple life without bothering about the brother and sister-in-law, instead of creating complications for all concerned. Loopholes aplenty!
Direction [Kirti Kumar] is not inspiring at all. Ditto for the music [Kamini Khanna]. Barring 'Suno Raaton Mein Kya', the remaining songs are plain mediocre. The 'Aavjo' track is well filmed, with Govinda displaying his dancing skills effortlessly.
Govinda carries the film on his broad shoulders, though one wishes that the actor should've staged a comeback with a cohesive screenplay. Preeti Jhangiani is passable, while Aarti Chhabria goes over the top. Chunkey Pandey doesn't get much scope. Jackie Shroff is wasted. The remaining actors fill the bill.
On the whole, SSUKH stands on a weak foundation [script] and that will prove to be its downfall.
 
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