THE HAVE-not protagonist (and to worsen matters - a struggling actor) is a look-alike of a have (underworld don in Mithya and a bollywood scion in Superstar). Both the protagonists are used as pawns to serve the ulterior motive of the antagonists.

 

The similarity between Mithya (illusion) and Superstar ends here. The outcome - both the films falter, but Mithya is better executed.

 

Mithya tells the story of a struggling actor (Ranvir Shorey). Even, after the usual rigmarole, his Bollywood career is yet to take off. By chance, the members of the rival faction of the underworld, headed by (Saurabh Shukla and Naseeruddin Shah) see him and plan to plant him in place of a don (Ranvir Shorey again). The don is bumped off and how the rival faction convinces the actor to serve their plans form the narrative of Mithya.

 

Contrary to popular belief, the film is not the new work of the Bheja Fry team. Instead of Vinay Pathak, the focus is on Ranveer Shorey. Rajat Kapoor gets to direct rather than act and the director, Sagar Bellary, doesn’t find any credits here.

 

The film will be liked by the members of the film fraternity for the real feel of the angst of a deserving actor. The best scene is where a producer (Tinnu Anand) asks for finance from the don (Ranvir) and Ranvir (actor in don’s disguise) pleads with him to sign him on.

 

Vinay Pathak cast as a no-nonsense hitman with his salt and pepper beard is a revelation from his ‘idiot’ act. Naseeruddin Shah was shades better in the same role with same get-up he had in Bombay Boys (remember?).

 

Neha Dhupia doesn’t get much scope to act. Rest of the cast is apt. Directorially, Rajat Kapoor was much better in Mixed Doubles. Here, he is unable to give a just treatment to the climax.

 

Comparing Bheja Fry to Mithya is like comparing Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) to Mohabbatein. No match.

 

Struggling actor (Kunal Khemu) wants to be a superstar. That’s the one-line of superstar. With no godfather or a bollywood lineage to boast off - his dream is like millions of others’ dreams.

 

However, destiny smiles when a top producer (Darshan Zariwala) launches his son (Kunal Khemu) with much fanfare in a 50-crore flick. Now the (have) Kunal Khemu never aspires to be a superstar. He is a misfit. All he wants in life is - chill.

 

An alliance of convenience is forged, where (have not) Khemu will act in the name of (have) Khemu.

 

The two Khemus become buddies, talk about destiny and one prompts the other, “gimme five” - crash! The car hurtles down turtle at interval. No prizes for guessing that (have) Khemu dies – destiny, eh!

 

How the producer-father uses the other Khemu forms the second half that is written in the regular unimaginative manner with a linear progression, sorry, depression.

 

The only saving grace of the film is the acting of Kunal Khemu. This guy really connects with the audience. However, he needs to work on his look and styling, because he isn’t convincing enough as a rich dude.