Dedh Ishqiya

Khalujan (Naseeruddin Shah) and his nephew Babban (Arshad Warsi), a thief duo, pose as a Nawab and his attendant, and manage to run away with a prized necklace from a jewellery shop. In the police chase they get separated, while Khalujaan is hurt. Months later Babban traces Khalujan again, this time posing a nawab, at a poetry contest. It is a mushaira organised by Begum Para (Madhuri Dixit), the widowed Begum of Mahmudabad as per the wishes of her deceased husband. The winner would win the Begum as bride and in turn become the Nawab of Mahudabad.

However, by the opening night, Babban traces Khalujaan. Soon Babban falls in love with Begum Paras assistant, Muniya (Huma Qureshi), while Khalujaan has his heart set on Begum herself.To complicate the matters there is another suitor in the fray, a local MLA-gangster Jaan Mohammed (Vijay Raaz), who is making the poet Nawab Italwi (Manoj Pahwa) write poetry for him to recite at the contest. Khalujaan tries to impress the Begum by giving her the prized necklace he stole earlier, but on the final day Begum declares Jaan Mohammed to be her husband and the new nawab of Mahmudabad.Disappointed Khalujaan approaches Begum with a gun, but just before a masked man kidnaps her at gun point.

Khalujaan chases them and blocks their way only to discover that the masked man was Babban. Begum has plotted her own kidnapping to extort money from the new nawab (Jaan Mohammad) as she was left bankrupt by her late husband. Babban calls Jaan Mohammed (who now is aware of Begums plan) to bring 100 million rupees ransom money to a railway station. All four reach the railway station to collect the money but find the bag empty and surrounded by Jaan Mohammads goons. Much to their good fortune Nawab Italwi arrives with a police force and cross-firing starts.

Begum and Muniya escape from the situation leaving behind Babban and Khalujaan to be arrested. One and half months later, both get bail and a message from Begum and Muniya, who are now settled in an unknown city by selling off the prized necklace. Movie ends with the duo once again surrounded by Mushtaq (Salman Shahid) and his gang.Anupama Chopra, the Hindustan Times movie critic said, Dedh Ishqiya is worth watching just for Abhishek Chaubeys ambition. He is not constrained by the demands of the box office.

Giving it 5 out of 5 stars, Rediff Indias movie critic Raja Sen called Dedh Ishqiya a genuinely smart film. Taran Adarsh from Bollywood Hungama also gave positive review, Ishqiya was sharp, spicy and volatile, with impulsive characters and a storyline taking a somersault every few minutes. Dedh Ishqiya is no different. It transports you to a diverse world, but like the first part, this one focuses on love and deceit as well. Also, its far more complex this time around and the truth hits you like a ton of bricks! Martin DSouza from Glamsham Editorial gave the film a negative review and a score of 2/5 stating that the film opens on the wrong foot and later moves at a languid pace.

In a positive review, Deepanjana Pal from Firstpost praised direcdtor Chaubey the most, saying: Chaubey is two films old and compared to Ishqiya, Dedh Ishqiya is far more elaborate, complicated and ambitious. Like a skipping stone, the film touches upon a variety of genres action, comedy, romance, social critique and Chaubey handles them deftly In another Firstpost review, Mihir Fadnavis said: Dedh Ishqiya is smarter, funnier, richer and way more gorgeous than its predecessor. If youre a fan of clever lines with terrific actors, great writing, masterful direction and Urdu poetry, Dedh Ishqiya hits your sweet spot. If you don't really give a damn about any of this and just want a fun time at the movies, Dedh Ishqiya is perhaps the most hilarious thriller Bollywood has produced.