'Partner', a feel-good laugh riot

Film: "Partner'; Cast: Govinda, Salman Khan, Lara Dutta, Katrina Kaif, Ali Haji; Director: David Dhawan; Rating: ** David Dhawan's films are predominantly about male bonding. If it was Govinda and Sanjay Dutt in "Haseena Maan Jayegi" and "Ek Aur Ek Gyarah", the new hit jodi is Govinda and Salman in the slickly-packaged "Partner".

But there is a difference. The focus has shifted somewhat from the irrepressible Govinda to shirtless Salman.

Here's something to think about - Why is Salman Khan named Sameer or Prem in every other film?

But he sure is super-cool as the love guru Prem in the latest laugh riot, inspired completely by Hollywood comedy "Hitch". Salman not only gives Will Smith a run for his money, he also matches step with Govinda on the elaborately choreographed sets with Sajid-Wajid's music embracing Bhandra-reggae and hip-hop.

Locked away far from reality, writer Sanjay Chhel's punning skills are legendary. He gives both his heroes great comic lines.

The best thing about "Partner" is the wonderful chemistry between Salman and Govinda - whether they share jokes, jibes or discuss love.

The bonding is littered with broad bacchanalia. You get a feeling of attending a beach party - similar to the one in Dhawan's "Mujhse Shaadi Karoge" starring Salman and Akshay Kumar.

The actresses are surprisingly spirited and upfront. Lara Dutta is specially outstanding as a single mother training her journalistic camera on funny man Rajpal Yadav, who plays Chota Don - an amusing mixture of Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan in the two versions of "Don".

The film's fun quotient is heightened through several devious devices like the late entry of child artist Ali Haji of "Fanaa" fame who dunks Salman into dyed water.

Salman has always had fun with kids on screen. Remember "Jab Pyar Kissi Se Jota Hai" with Aditya Narayan?

Not much has changed since that film five years ago. Salman is still fun, feisty and flirtatious. Govinda certainly has turned a corner. He does confident parodies of his old collaborations with David Dhawan, takes ghoulish delight in tormenting his screen-buddy by his antics and has a whale of time himself.

"Partner" is the kind of comedy that looks glossy and feels good. Go for it.

Indo-Asian News Service