David Dhawan’s Rascals, starring veterans Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Dutt, who is also one of the producers, is this year’s Dussera release. Will the Dhawan-Devgn-Dutt combo be this year’s Dussera blockbuster? Doesn’t seem like it.

Rascals is the story of Sanjay and Ajay who play two conmen Chetan and Bhagat respectively. They take potshots at each to prove their smartness and worth. Their gimmicks and stunts lend the comical element to the film. However, things change when they fall in love with the same girl Kangna Ranaut. Their rivalry peaks to an extent where they resort to all sorts of tricks to outsmart the other and win the affections of the lady.

The film works largely because of the wonderful chemistry shared by Ajay and Sanjay on screen. Their performance drives the humor in spite of the usual cat and mouse situation. Kangna Ranaut is impressive in her role as the love interest of the conmen. Her performance works well for the film. Arjun Rampal is average in his small role. Chunky Pandey is OK. He did deliver some very funny bits. Sathish Kaushik was not needed and the film could have done without him. 

The storyline of Rascals is greatly inspired by Hollywood’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. It is not a direct copy, though it would have been better off that way. David Dhawan, the king of remakes. does not impress the way he did with Wanted and Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya. The story falters here and there especially in the climax which could have brought the film back on track. It is very predictable and takes away some of the fun element from the movie. Thankfully, there is no unwanted drama and emotions which have been major comedy spoilers in a lot of films. 

The film is loaded, rather overloaded with suggestive humor. The innuendos are funny in a lot of places and are bound to have a few takers and a few haters.  But it does go overboard unnecessarily. While some of the dialogues are very well written and delivered, the overdose of rhyming dialogues gets to you soon. 

Music by Vishal Shekar is decent. ‘Tik Tuk’ and ‘Gaye Guzre’ are pretty good, while Shake it Saiyyan is sure to do the rounds on the dance floor. 

Technically the film is sound. Be it the camera work or the editing, Vikas Sivaraman and Nitin Rokade have put up a good show. Like Hum Tum, Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Dutt are depicted through caricatures to further the comic element. Their characters in the story are established through the interesting use of cartoons in the very beginning of the film. 

Overall, ‘Rascals’ is a fun-ride with one too many bumps. Further, the car crashes even before the finish of the ride. But definitely a one-time watch.

Verdict: 'DIRTY dialogues, ROTTEN screenplay but saved by the RASCALS'