Harry Potter Goes To Bollywood

Harry Potter by JK Rowling had, in part one, established a philosophy of gloom, death, despair, love, hope and adventure all neatly wrapped up in a colourful children’s book. On the other hand, Aabra Ka Dabra, by writer JK Nirmal, whooshes past most of the philosophy and skims through the special effects to bring The Boy Who Lived to Bollywood.

While non-Potterheads won’t bother, those interested can connect the story and character adaptations. First, the trio: Our boy Shanu (Athit Naik) is Harry, Pinky (Hansika Motwani) is Hermione and Rinky is Ron. She’s not a boy, but she’s a glutton—and is called moti for half the film.

Seasoned actors in supporting roles like Anupam Kher (Limbu Chacha/Hagrid), Satish Kaushik (Dilbag Mama/Uncle Vernon) and Archana Puran Singh (Suzanne, who flies carpets/Madam Hooch, the Quidditch teacher) also act. Not to forget a Johnny Lever cameo, and a Prabhu Deva jig midway through this 2-hour flick.

The plot is fairly simple, Shanu lives happily with his parents. His dad’s a magician. One day he disappears due to a faulty magic trick. Shanu reaches Aabra Ka Dabra magic school, makes friends with Limbu, Pinky and Rinky, and makes enemies with Changezi (Malfoy, with anger, quite literally on his nose). He also gets introduced to the evil Headmistress RB (Rang Birangi), who wants the Amar Sanjeevani (Immortal Potion/Philosopher’s Stone).

No wonder it amasses a cult following on YouTube with grown-ups revisiting it for nostalgia.

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