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‘Baankey Ki Crazy Baraat’ – A whimsical entourage
Film: “Baankey Ki Crazy Baraat”; Language: Hindi; Cast: Sanjay Mishra, Vijay Raaz, Rakesh Bedi, Rajpal Yadav, Tia Bajpai, Satyajeet Dubey and Deep Dholakia; Director: Aijaz Khan; Rating: *1/2
“Baankey Ki Crazy Baraat” is an irrational entertainer which is as crazy as the title suggests.
Set in Himachal Pradesh, it is the story of an over-energetic, dunce Baankey, a 35-year-old bachelor who is desperate to get married.
When he receives Anjali’s proposal, he sets his heart to marry her. But unfortunately, despite praying to Lord Kamdev for 101 days, his family pundit informs him that there is an issue with his horoscope. Marriage is not in his destiny.
Heartbroken, he insists on marrying Anjali. So when his family friend Lallan nearly threatens the pundit, who suggests that the only way Baankey can attain family bliss is by getting married with the help of a proxy, where a groom substitutes for him at the wedding mandap.
Delighted with this solution, the family sets about finding a proxy groom to get Baankey married.
With Mahesh the proxy groom, Virat Sharma the bus driver and Rajendra, Anjali’s childhood friend who is keen to marry her, Baankey finds himself in a tricky spot. It is his convoluted journey that makes the film interesting.
Treated as a comedy, the film is packed with quirky characters with idiosyncratic behaviour, situational gags and witty dialogues.
Rajpal Yadav as the eager-to-get-married Baankey, is hilarious. Sanjay Mishra as his street-smart uncle Kanhaiyalal is his usual self, with his ready solutions. Rakesh Bedi as Bankey’s simpleton father Nandlal is sincere, but not extraordinary. Every time he is cornered, he either starts eating or hails, “Kanhaiya!” and it amusing to note Kanhaiya respond poetically, “What Kanhaiya bade bhaiya?”
Vijay Raaz as the local thug Lallan carries his swagger with elan. He has an air about himself and brags about his ability to effortlessly bring situations under control. You chuckle when he gets attracted to Anjali’s best friend Pooja and she blatantly calls him “Uncleji” and invites him to her wedding.
Tia Bajpai as Anjali makes a lovely pair with Satyajeet Dubey who plays Virat. Virat has a decent screen presence and charms with his sincerity.
Ashish Wadde’s character Mahesh, the “duur ka damaad” is a forcefully irritating character who is more annoying than amusing.
With a moderate budget and decent production values, the film is technically sound. The title song is racy and is oft used as a background leitmotif to create the sense of a fast track entertainer.
Be a part of Baankey’s wedding entourage, if you have nothing better to do.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.