Boeing Boeing (1985 film)
Encyclopedia
Boeing Boeing is a 1985 Malayalam film directed by Priyadarshan
, a film adaptation based on the 1960 French play
Boeing-Boeing. The story follows Shyam (Mohanlal
) who tries dating more than one air hostess with the help of his friend Anilkumar (Mukesh
). It works like a charm at first but things start to crumble which leads to a series of funny events.
Priyadarshan remade the film again as Garam Masala
(2005).
plays Shyam, a silvertongued but essentially likeable weasel. He's a flirt, engaged to wed Sreekutty(Menaka
). He doesn't have much luck with women, or his career, but when a bunch of opportunists seem to pop into his life with all kinds of dreamy offers, he bites. Suddenly, he finds himself stirring an ambitious fiancée soup, dating three airhostesses and driving cars he doesn't own with the help of his friend Kuttappan(Maniyanpilla Raju).
He rises to the occasion admirably. Even as he meticulously takes down flight schedules and itinerary details, he finds himself flummoxed on many a turn, where he lies magnificently through his teeth. Soon, he's 'in the zone', and a complete player, addicted to the thrills of infidelity.
And everyone is a co-conspirator. Mukesh
is Anil, a smarmy stud with an exuberant lack of scruples. While managing to wangle his way to a promotion, a Mumbai trip, he looks up to Shyam, despite the obvious rivalry, Anil decides to move in as acolyte.
Shyam is a pro, and wants Anil out of his life, but has to begrudgingly admit that he's a huge help with the ladies. Anil might act unflappable with others around, but grovels in front of Shyam to let him stay. Beneath the egos and competition, however, it's pretty visible that these two like each other.
Another one stirring the broth is Sukumari
, the oddly named Miss Dick(Dickammayi), a moody chef whose husband was in Military, who eloped and married her sister. She has been warned about women in the house, but is unaware of her domestic duties would involve shuffling pictures in and out of photoframes, and making three different kinds of dinner on the same night. Justifiably, she often flies off the handle and vainly demands a never-forthcoming raise.
There's a startlingly fine moment when Shyam and Anil are devastated by the airhostess-surfing game they play. They've barely managed to disengage from a lethal imbroglio, and look set to quit while they're still ahead. Both men are exhausted, downbeat and seemingly resigned to their fate. Elena, one of the three airhostess(Lizy) starts feeling softcorner for Anil and they decide to lead a life together. Shyam and Anil size each other up and sigh wearily, and just when they're going to throw in the towel, they solemnly make their decision. 'One for you, two for me,' Shyam mutters, as if it's the most natural thing in the world. Anil, equally cool, nods and seals the deal. But the commotion doesn't end over there. The other two air hostess finds out that they have been cheated. By the end both Shyam and Anil realizes their mistakes and Shyam decides to marry his "Murapennu", Sreekutty.
The film is often predictable, but the plotting is quite sharp. A remake of the 1965 Boeing Boeing, starring Tony Curtis
and Jerry Lewis
, it's obvious that a lot of the structure must have been lifted from the original, but the script itself flows along with terrific gusto. The dialogues are funny, often underplayed, and there are several true big-laugh moments when you least expect them.
This film was the last Priyadarshan film Yesudas sang for before their fallout. Later Yesudas sang for Priyadarshan 14 years later in 1999 for the film Megam. Again after that Yesudas has not sung for Priyadarshan.
In 2005, Priyardarshan, shot a Hindi version of this film named Garam Masala
starring Akshay Kumar
and John Abraham
. The movie was a big hit.
Priyadarshan
Priyadarshan is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. In a career spanning over two decades, Priyadarshan has directed over 80 films in several Indian languages including Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu...
, a film adaptation based on the 1960 French play
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
Boeing-Boeing. The story follows Shyam (Mohanlal
Mohanlal
Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
) who tries dating more than one air hostess with the help of his friend Anilkumar (Mukesh
Mukesh (actor)
Mukesh , born Mukesh Babu, is an Indian film actor and producer known for his work in Malayalam cinema.- Personal Life :...
). It works like a charm at first but things start to crumble which leads to a series of funny events.
Priyadarshan remade the film again as Garam Masala
Garam Masala (film)
Garam Masala is a 2005 Bollywood film directed by Priyadarshan. The film stars Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Rimi Sen, Neha Dhupia, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav...
(2005).
Synopsis
MohanlalMohanlal
Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
plays Shyam, a silvertongued but essentially likeable weasel. He's a flirt, engaged to wed Sreekutty(Menaka
Menaka (actress)
Menaka is an Indian film actress. In her short film career 1980-86, Menaka acted in 116 films, mostly in Malayalam. She also did a few movies in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu. She has worked with many leading actors of the time, including the late Prem Nazir, Soman and Sukumaran. She has also acted...
). He doesn't have much luck with women, or his career, but when a bunch of opportunists seem to pop into his life with all kinds of dreamy offers, he bites. Suddenly, he finds himself stirring an ambitious fiancée soup, dating three airhostesses and driving cars he doesn't own with the help of his friend Kuttappan(Maniyanpilla Raju).
He rises to the occasion admirably. Even as he meticulously takes down flight schedules and itinerary details, he finds himself flummoxed on many a turn, where he lies magnificently through his teeth. Soon, he's 'in the zone', and a complete player, addicted to the thrills of infidelity.
And everyone is a co-conspirator. Mukesh
Mukesh (actor)
Mukesh , born Mukesh Babu, is an Indian film actor and producer known for his work in Malayalam cinema.- Personal Life :...
is Anil, a smarmy stud with an exuberant lack of scruples. While managing to wangle his way to a promotion, a Mumbai trip, he looks up to Shyam, despite the obvious rivalry, Anil decides to move in as acolyte.
Shyam is a pro, and wants Anil out of his life, but has to begrudgingly admit that he's a huge help with the ladies. Anil might act unflappable with others around, but grovels in front of Shyam to let him stay. Beneath the egos and competition, however, it's pretty visible that these two like each other.
Another one stirring the broth is Sukumari
Sukumari
Sukumari is an Indian film actress who has primarily acted in Malayalam and Tamil films. She has been acting since she was 10 years old and has acted in various roles. The total number of her films is presumed to be about two-thousand. In 2003, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of...
, the oddly named Miss Dick(Dickammayi), a moody chef whose husband was in Military, who eloped and married her sister. She has been warned about women in the house, but is unaware of her domestic duties would involve shuffling pictures in and out of photoframes, and making three different kinds of dinner on the same night. Justifiably, she often flies off the handle and vainly demands a never-forthcoming raise.
There's a startlingly fine moment when Shyam and Anil are devastated by the airhostess-surfing game they play. They've barely managed to disengage from a lethal imbroglio, and look set to quit while they're still ahead. Both men are exhausted, downbeat and seemingly resigned to their fate. Elena, one of the three airhostess(Lizy) starts feeling softcorner for Anil and they decide to lead a life together. Shyam and Anil size each other up and sigh wearily, and just when they're going to throw in the towel, they solemnly make their decision. 'One for you, two for me,' Shyam mutters, as if it's the most natural thing in the world. Anil, equally cool, nods and seals the deal. But the commotion doesn't end over there. The other two air hostess finds out that they have been cheated. By the end both Shyam and Anil realizes their mistakes and Shyam decides to marry his "Murapennu", Sreekutty.
The film is often predictable, but the plotting is quite sharp. A remake of the 1965 Boeing Boeing, starring Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis was an American film actor whose career spanned six decades, but had his greatest popularity during the 1950s and early 1960s. He acted in over 100 films in roles covering a wide range of genres, from light comedy to serious drama...
and Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis is an American comedian, actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his slapstick humor in film, television, stage and radio. He was originally paired up with Dean Martin in 1946, forming the famed comedy team of Martin and Lewis...
, it's obvious that a lot of the structure must have been lifted from the original, but the script itself flows along with terrific gusto. The dialogues are funny, often underplayed, and there are several true big-laugh moments when you least expect them.
This film was the last Priyadarshan film Yesudas sang for before their fallout. Later Yesudas sang for Priyadarshan 14 years later in 1999 for the film Megam. Again after that Yesudas has not sung for Priyadarshan.
In 2005, Priyardarshan, shot a Hindi version of this film named Garam Masala
Garam Masala (film)
Garam Masala is a 2005 Bollywood film directed by Priyadarshan. The film stars Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Rimi Sen, Neha Dhupia, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav...
starring Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar is an Indian film actor, producer and martial artist who has appeared in over a hundred Hindi films. When he began his acting career in the 1990s, he primarily starred in action films and was particularly known for his appearances in feature films commonly called the "Khiladi series",...
and John Abraham
John Abraham (actor)
John Abraham is an Indian film actor and former model. After modeling for numerous advertisements and companies, Abraham made his film debut with Jism , which earned him a Filmfare Best Debut Award nomination. This was followed by his first commercial success, Dhoom...
. The movie was a big hit.
Cast
- MohanlalMohanlalMohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
... Shyam - MukeshMukesh (actor)Mukesh , born Mukesh Babu, is an Indian film actor and producer known for his work in Malayalam cinema.- Personal Life :...
... Anilkumar - LizyLizy (actress)Lissy Priyadarshan is a popular South Indian film actress of 1980s. She is popularly known by the mononym Lissy. Though, was a leading heroine in Malayalam, she had also acted in several Tamil and Telugu. She gave up acting after her marriage with famous film director Priyadarshan in 1990...
... Elena - MenakaMenaka (actress)Menaka is an Indian film actress. In her short film career 1980-86, Menaka acted in 116 films, mostly in Malayalam. She also did a few movies in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu. She has worked with many leading actors of the time, including the late Prem Nazir, Soman and Sukumaran. She has also acted...
... Sreekutty - JagathyJagathyJagathy is a place in the district of Thiruvananthapuram in the state of Kerala, India....
... O. P. Olassa - SukumariSukumariSukumari is an Indian film actress who has primarily acted in Malayalam and Tamil films. She has been acting since she was 10 years old and has acted in various roles. The total number of her films is presumed to be about two-thousand. In 2003, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of...
... Dick Ammayi - Maniyanpilla Raju... Kuttappan
- M. G. SomanM. G. SomanM. G. Soman was an actor in Malayalam film. He was considered to be one of the superstars in Malayalam cinema along with Sukumaran and Jayan during the 1970s. He was born in Tiruvalla, Travancore...
... Lambodharan Pillai - SankaradiSankaradiSankaradi was an Indian actor. He was a veteran Malayalam comedian and character artiste, who had over 700 Malayalam films to his credit....
... M. T. E. Damodaran - K.P.A.C. Sunny... Sreekantan Nair
- ShankarShankar (actor)Shankar Panikkar, popularly known as Shankar is an Indian film actor and director. He was one of the prominent lead actors of Malayalam cinema during the 1980s.- As an Actor :...
... Man at the Restaurant - Oduvil UnnikrishnanOduvil UnnikrishnanOduvil Unnikrishnan was an award winning Malayalam movie actor known for his versatile acting skills, known for his portrayal of classical ancient aristocratic personalities in Malayalam cinema with his unique provincial linguistic style, expressions and dialect. He was noted as a serious as well...
... Shop Owner - Bobby KottarakkaraBobby KottarakkaraBobby Kottarakkara was a Malayalam film actor. He began his acting career on stage. He made his film debut with "Muchcheethukalikkaarante Makal". Bobby soon became a well known actor. He had performed in around 300 roles in a variety of films, some of which are such as Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu,...
... Tea Shop Owner - PriyaPriyaPriya is the Sanskrit word for "dear, beloved" . It is a common given name in India, Nepal and some countries in Europe.- Notable people :*Priya Anand, an Indian film actress...
.... Item Number "Boeing Boeing"