Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors

Watch Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors

"A Comedy of Terrors"
  • NR
  • 2008
  • 1 hr 30 min
  • 2.0  (356)

Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors is an Indian family comedy film released in 2008, directed by Rajesh Bajaj and Lucky Kohli. While its title may suggest a connection to the famed Harry Potter series, "Hari Puttar" is more akin to the Hollywood blockbuster "Home Alone," intermixed with its own unique blend of Bollywood-style narrative and musical interludes.

Set in the United Kingdom, the story centers around a 10-year-old boy named Hari Prasad Dhoonda (nicknamed Hari Puttar), who moves from India to the UK with his family. The character of Hari Puttar is portrayed by Zain Khan, a young actor who brings a combination of mischief and innocence to this key role, infusing the character with the charisma and cheekiness one would expect from a child protagonist.

The film co-stars Jackie Shroff and Sarika Thakur as Hari's parents, with the former providing the stern yet loving father figure, and the latter the caring, nurturing mother – both traditional parental archetypes in the landscape of family cinema. Saurabh Shukla plays the role of an uncle who gets involved in the unfolding events, bringing in his comedic timing and experience to add to the film's humorous elements.

The premise unfolds with the Prasad family moving into their new home, a large and isolated mansion. Due to a series of unforeseen events, Hari Puttar finds himself accidentally left alone in the house – a setup that pays homage to Macaulay Culkin's adventures in "Home Alone." His parents and the rest of the family head off to distant locations, completely unaware that Hari has not joined them on the trip.

The young protagonist is initially overjoyed by the prospect of having the whole house to himself. The excitement of unrestrained freedom is a universal fantasy for many kids, and Hari Puttar revels in the opportunity to eat what he wants, play video games without limit, and avoid doing his homework. However, as the story progresses, this joyous occasion turns into an exercise of responsibility and courage when Hari Puttar uncovers a plot that threatens his family.

Cue the introduction of two bumbling criminals, played to comic effect as they hatch a plan to break into the Prasad family's new abode. Their motives are both sinister and absurd, involving a secretive microchip that possesses valuable data, which unintentionally ends up in the curious hands of Hari Puttar. The premise of a young child outwitting clueless adults is a common trope in this genre, providing the anarchic slapstick and physical comedy that are hallmarks of a family-friendly romp.

Hari Puttar uses his wits, his knowledge of the house, and a variety of booby traps to outsmart the hapless duo. In doing so, he not only has to protect his family's property but also their secrets. The physical comedy is interspersed with moments where Hari, despite his initial mischievous nature, grows into a braver, smarter, and more responsible young boy. This growth fuels the narrative drive of the movie, weaving in the morality tale of coming-of-age.

Moreover, what distinguishes Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors from its Western counterparts is the inclusion of musical segments, as is customary in Bollywood cinema. These songs and dance routines may seem extraneous to international audiences, but within the context of Indian family entertainment, they add to the film's charming appeal, depicting emotional undercurrents and reinforcing character bonds.

Despite the amiable nature of the film, the title initially stirred controversy on the grounds of its resemblance to the Harry Potter franchise, leading to a brief legal tussle over intellectual property rights. However, the matter was settled, and the film's producers maintained that 'Hari' was a common Indian name and 'Puttar' meant son in Punjabi, attempting to diminish perceived associations with J.K. Rowling's literary works.

As for audience reception, Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors is a divisive affair. It's a movie that aimed to wrap the spirit of Bollywood in the cloak of a Western narrative structure. Some audiences appreciated the localized take on a familiar formula, while others found it to pale in comparison to the movies it paid homage to. Nonetheless, it remains a curious artifact for those interested in cross-cultural interpretation of film tropes and the global language of cinematic humor.

In sum, Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors is a film that offers light entertainment with a distinctly Indian flavor. It combines established elements of family comedy with culturally specific twists, and though it might not have made a lasting impact internationally, it still holds a place in the panorama of early 21st-century Bollywood cinema.

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Description
  • Release Date
    2008
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 30 min
  • Language
    Hindi
  • IMDB Rating
    2.0  (356)
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