MUMBAI: Housefull 2 can be called a crowded comedy in a sense that the screen is filled with multiple characters of various hues. Towards the end, the film creates a mini India on screen with twelve actors in the main roles portraying Marathi, Gujarati, Sindhi, Punjabi etc roles catering to all parts.

Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala. Director: Sajid Khan. Cast: Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Reitesh Deshmukh, Shreyash Talpade, MIthun Chakraborty, Randhit Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Boman Irani, Johny Lever, Asin, Zarine Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Shahzan Padamsee.

Randhir Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor are brothers who don't see eye-to-eye but both have one common aim - to find the son of some renowned and wealthy man for their respective daughters.

Mithun Chakraborty is a childhood friend of Boman Irani, an ex-police boss, on whose advice Mithun gives up his dark past, spends time in jail and travels to England to not only make his fortune but also be counted among one of the most respected names there. On the occasion of Chakraborty turning a new leaf, Boman Irani had sought a promise from him that they would turn their friendship into family relationship when their children grow up.

Both Randhir and Rishi Kapoor are both told by match maker Chunkey Pandey that Chakraborty's son, Reitesh Deshmukh would be an apt suitor for their daughters, Asin and Jacqueline Fernandez. The brothers vie for Deshmukh while making sure the other does not get the whiff on his intent.

Deshmukh loves Zarine Khan, a model, and is not in a position to tell Mithun Chakraborty. He also has to ward off Randhir Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor's daughters. As a result, Akshay Kumar, John Abraham and Shreyash Talpde each end up posing as Reitesh Deshmukh.

Meanwhile Talpade, Deshmukh's friend, is in love with Shahzan Khan. He is humiliated by her father Rishi Kapoor and plans revenge. What follows are the comic situations, romance, songs and dances.

Housefull 2 may not have much by way of a story but it does manage to create some really funny situations.

The film often loses pace in the first half, but manages to hold its own in the later part, which is also shorter. There is not much help from songs but the item number Anarkali…. is well choreographed.

The scenes between Chakraborty, Irani and Malaika Arora are stretched.
What works for the film is its multifaceted cast and the fact that yesteryear stars have been cast as fathers. Economic considerations can be seen in the casting of heroines with all four lacking mass following.

The film has been shot extensively on indoor locations, which helps keep the budget down. The film has just one real action scene with all four heroes involved; it is well executed.

While performances by all male artistes is good, if rated the order it would be Mithun Chakraborty, Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Reitesh Deshmukh and Shreyash Talpade.

Johny Lever is good but having seen the film with the audience in Uttar Pradesh, it looked like his native Marathi lingo was not going down well with the audience. All four female actors are passable.

Housefull 2 is a fair entertainer and due to its star cast and reasonable opening at multiplexes (the single screens opening is not the same) should be able to sail safe.