Akshay Kumar De Dana Dan [ Editor's Choice ]
The soundtrack was composed by Pritam. While the album wasn't a chartbuster like Bhool Bhulaiyaa, it had a cult hit:
The background score, especially the "bumbling bomb" leitmotif, is what elevates the comedy. Every time the bomb tickles, the frantic violin plays, and Akshay Kumar’s panicked face fills the screen, you know chaos is imminent.
In the pantheon of Bollywood comedies, certain films are celebrated as cult classics (Hera Pheri), others as box-office juggernauts (Welcome), and some fade into the "forgotten but funny" archives. Sitting squarely in that last category is Priyadarshan’s 2009 caper, De Dana Dan.
Starring Akshay Kumar at the peak of his slapstick prowess, De Dana Dan is often dismissed as a noisy remake of the 1963 classic The Suitor (and the Malayalam blockbuster Vellanakalude Nadu). But to ignore it is to miss out on one of the most tightly wound, explosively funny "escape plans" ever put to screen. Let’s break down why this film deserves a second look. akshay kumar de dana dan
De Dana Dan is a slapstick comedy inspired by the 1963 classic The Suitor (French: L'Appartement). It features an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Katrina Kaif, Paresh Rawal, Neha Dhupia, and Rajpal Yadav.
Released on November 27, 2009, De Dana Dan is a chaotic "comedy of errors" that serves as a cornerstone of the fruitful collaboration between director Priyadarshan and superstar Akshay Kumar. Known for its breakneck pace and massive ensemble cast, the film remains a fan favorite for its relentless situational humor and signature over-the-top climax. Plot: A Kidnapping Gone Awry
The story follows Nitin Bankar (Akshay Kumar), a broke chauffeur, and his best friend Ram Mishra (Suniel Shetty), a courier boy. Desperate to marry their wealthy girlfriends, Anjali (Katrina Kaif) and Manpreet (Sameera Reddy), they hatch a scheme to kidnap a spoiled dog named Moolchandji for ransom. Their plan quickly unravels into a whirlwind of: The soundtrack was composed by Pritam
Mistaken Identities: Misunderstandings lead the police and other characters to believe Nitin himself has been kidnapped.
Hotel Pandemonium: Nearly 20 characters converge at a five-star hotel, including hitmen, debt-ridden conmen, and embassy officials, leading to constant near-misses and collisions.
The Iconic Flood Climax: In typical Priyadarshan fashion, the movie concludes with a massive flood that guts the hotel, leaving the entire cast literally washed out in a chaotic scramble for money and survival. Cast and Performances In the pantheon of Bollywood comedies, certain films
The film's success is largely attributed to its powerhouse ensemble cast, many of whom were Priyadarshan regulars:
Upon release in 2009, critics called it "overstuffed" and "too similar to Hera Pheri." That’s fair. But looking back, De Dana Dan suffered from being ahead of the OTT curve. This is a film designed for repeat viewing on a lazy Sunday afternoon. On the big screen, the relentless noise can be exhausting. On a laptop with a bowl of popcorn? It’s genius.
Furthermore, it arrived at a time when the "multi-starrer comedy" was becoming formulaic. Audiences had seen Welcome (2007) and Singh Is Kinng (2008). By 2009, they were suffering from "goofy Akshay fatigue." But fatigue doesn't equal bad. De Dana Dan is the hangover movie you didn't know you needed.
In Macau, they check into a luxury hotel owned by a criminal don (played by Shakti Kapoor). Here, the "De Dana Dan" (running around wildly) begins.
By the climax, the hotel is a wreck, weddings are canceled, weddings are re-booked, and the "kidnapper" becomes the "kidnapped." Like any proper comedy, the film ends with three simultaneous weddings, ensuring all lovers unite and the chaos resets to zero.