Debutant Girish Kumar's "Ramaiya Vastavaiya" has received negative reviews from film critics, who have termed it as "old wine in a new bottle".
Directed by Prabhu Deva, "Ramaiya Vastavaiya" is inspired from his Telugu directorial debut film "Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana", which itself is reminiscent of the 1998 film "Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya" and the 80s film "Maine Pyar Kiya".
Ram (Girish Kumar), a young Indian boy brought up in Australia, comes to India to attend his cousin's engagement. He meets and falls in love with Sona (Shruti Haasan), a simple village girl who happens to be the bride's best friend. Sona initially rejects him, but after much persuasion by Ram she also falls in love with him.
But Ram's mother (Poonam Dhillon) wants him to marry a rich girl instead of a poor village girl. Sona has a brother Raghuveer (Sonu Sood) who raised her from her childhood and takes care of her needs. When Ram's mother insults Sona and her brother at a party, they are forced to leave and return to their village.
Ram follows his lover to the village to win over her brother's heart. What he does to get back his ladylove is shown as the film progresses towards the end. Besides the lead pair, "Ramaiya Vastavaiya" boasts of an ensemble cast including Randhir Kapoor, Vinod Khanna, Satish Shah, Paresh Ganatra and Nassar. Actress Jacqueline Fernandez and Prabhu Deva appear in an item song in the film.
Here is what the critics have to say
Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV says, "If the plot reeks of Bollywood of the 1980s, it isn't surprising at all: Ramaiya Vastavaiya, Prabhu Deva's remake of his debut Telugu hit, owes its primary inspiration to Maine Pyar Kiya. Yes, this wine is that stale. No wonder it stinks."
"Nothing in Prabhu Deva's directorial style suggests that he is interested in the least in imparting a fresh coat of paint to this old construct."
Paloma Sharma of Rediff.com says, "Just in case you walk in late and miss the credits in the beginning, fear not -- it becomes pretty evident as the film progresses that this is a vanity project for Girish Kumar. However, it is a relief that Kumar does manage to deliver almost 2.5 hours of solid entertainment. Although his character in the film is completely unrealistic, Kumar keeps it as real as he possibly can."
"The same could be said for Ramaiya Vastavaiya's leading lady, Shruti Haasan. Sona seems to have no basis for existence except for, at first, by virtue of her brother and later, by virtue of her lover."
Madhureeta Mukherjee of The Times of India says, "The film (remake of Prabhudheva's debut directorial Telugu film) isn't ripe with any newness - in story or direction. In fact, it discernibly replants stories from the 80's-90's era (remember: 'Maine Pyar Kiya', 'Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya'), with cliches, a banal plot, an field-full of supporting cast (of which Kapoor and Khanna are underused but good) and a budding lead pair."
Mekhla Singh of Zeenews.com says, "The costumes and the cinematography are few of the things to watch out for - the bright colours, the beautiful yellow flowers and the lush green valley transport you to an all together new world."
"Watch 'Ramaiya Vastavaiya' if you have nothing else to do this weekend, want to give your brain a complete rest or want to genuinely laugh at some of the comical dialogues and characters."
Mohar Basu of Koimoi.com says, "Prabhudeva's signature flamboyance is what the film reeks of. His first tryst with making a romantic comedy is as good or bad as the rest of his repertoire. However, the film lacks the enigma of his previous films, for the obvious lack of actors that colossal."
"The screenplay is colorful and doesn't go insipid but the grotesque sense of humor it imbibes could have been avoided. The music is strictly fine and Jaadu Ki Jhappi is what prevails for Prabhudeva's maverick like dance."
