Dharam Sankat Mein

Popular entertainment, or a lively, mass-oriented film such as this, is perhaps our most potent counter to a frightening intolerance. That fact alone makes this a very important and brave film. I suggest you head to the ticket counter for sure.

Earnest, but clichéd...a bold attempt and some very good performances by the lead cast may make it worth your while.

The satire works at its best when Rawal is at the forefront of things. Thankfully, that's for almost all of the film. Without him, it would've been an also-ran.

Yes, the film does burst quite a few religious myths that prevail in our society, but that alone does not make it an engaging one. We would not say that the film is avoidable as there is a message on blind faith that needs to be hammered in our heads, but as far as we see it as a commercial film, we would say that there was a little more effort required on the part of the director.

Ultimately, between its sentimental leanings and farcical outbursts, the superficial sermonising of Dharam Sankat Mein remains just that -- superficial.

The actors are in top form – Paresh Rawal is a seasoned actor and Annu Kapoor gives him good company. Nasseruddin Shah does justice to his flamboyant character. All said and seen, Dharam Sankat Mein deals with an important subject and nevermind if it is not entirely satisfying, it is still is a positive step towards better cinema.

The story tries to accommodate a whole host of issues, fake babas to real crimes, and fails. The Neelananda track is overplayed while the music is underdone. Given its realistic detailing, this could have been a livewire of wry wit - but it ends up a feather-duster of fuzzy philosophy instead. Caught between wise-cracking veterans and wise-sounding vachans, large sequences look low on energy and stereotypes, from lusty swami to kajal-eyed imam, stretch to yawning point.

Even Naseeruddin, Annu can't save this repetitive, preachy monologue on moral qualms...

...is once again an all talk, no play movie. It is funny in parts but overall the preachy type film that addresses the same issues of religion and Godmen.

...is more of an attempt at making some quick cash than to make a film with a heart and mind of its own. With very few moments of fun sandwiched between long stretches of snoozing, this film should be avoided like the ashram of a self-proclaimed baba.

Clichéd representations of common stereotypes make the interest diminish. The performances by the three main leads and the all-too-brief bits of alleviating humor are the only magnets to your interest!

I appreciate the fact that despite the preachy nature of the film, a different approach was endeavoured. More power to such trials even if not many of us are taken in by them.

...is a YAWN FEST. Despite having such a heavy star cast, the film fails to impress. Being a satire it falls flat at making you laugh because of its bad script and shoddy direction.

Today, when fundamentalism is one the rise, we need more films like Dharam Sankat Mein to remind us that harmony and tolerance are the need of the hour. That we are the same beneath the façade and that the stone I throw at my neighbour might boomerang towards my own house…