Coolie No. 1: No laughing matter!

David Dhawan has remade a David Dhawan pop classic of 25 years earlier. Also called Coolie No. 1 and with his son Varun in the title role played by Govinda in the original version, the remake has Sara Ali Khan who is seen as a modern-day variation of Karisma Kapoor's character.

It also has several experienced supporting actors – Javed Jaffrey, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav and Johnny Lever – whose characters take the story towards its illogical conclusion. Their presence is not surprising, and neither is the fact that the remake makes one wonder why Dhawan had to direct a new version of his blockbuster in the first place.

So, what is new about the present-day Coolie No. 1 streaming on Prime Video? The film is generously budgeted, which is evident from its look and locations.

What is it that is disappointing? The writing, with Farhad Samji (dialogues) unable to generate gut-busting humour, the essence of comedy regardless of whom it aspires to entertain: the seeker of subtlety or the front-bencher.

Varun Dhawan is reasonably reliable, but he doesn’t have what it takes to play a railway porter who pretends to be from a filthy rich royal family and fool a man (Rawal) who wants rich grooms for his two daughters. Raju can thrash hooligans single-handedly as the uniformed star among porters. As Kunwar Raj Pratap, the royal, he convinces the elder daughter's father that he is wealthy, gets married to her and has a tough time trying to hide the secret of his identity thereafter. The actor doesn't impress as either, the remake's second biggest weakness after the dismal quality of writing.

The remake, which incorporates several changes in its subplots, also hinges on what happens after a matchmaker (Jaffrey) and the family he introduces to the girl’s father get humiliated by the latter for not being wealthy enough. The matchmaker plots vendetta, finds Raju and helps him transform into a rich fellow to deceive the father and marry his daughter.

Fine comic performances led by Kader Khan as the father from among the supporting cast had ensured a laugh-a-minute entertainer for the viewer in the original film. In the remake, which proves that superficial gloss is not a substitute for good writing and acting, none of the supporting actors except Jaffrey make an impact. Rawal, in particular, goes through the motions like a robot, which is disappointing considering he is an actor with proven comic talent.

For those who had seen Coolie No. 1 when Govinda was the superstar of the masses, watching the remake will be a heartbreaking experience. The present-day young filmgoers, many of them Varun Dhawan fans, might assess the film somewhat generously without liking what is on offer.

A parting thought. Has David Dhawan lost his sense of humour?