While the country is going gaga over Kangana Ranaut’s flawless double role in the recently released Tanu Weds Manu Returns, it’s the effervescent sidekick Pappi aka Deepak Dobriyal who’s stealing her thunder. As the bumbling, fumbling, yet well-meaning friend of Manu Sharma aka Madhavan, Pappi is delightful on the screen. He not only lights up the theatre with his antics, but also manages to outshine Madhavan. We tell you why he is the highlight of this week’s blockbuster fare. Read on:

His comic timing:

His pitch-perfect dialogues make us roll with laughter ONLY because of his comic timing. He delivers the lines with such sincerity that you end up laughing out loud! He is fortunate that most of the punch lines in the movie are spoken by him, and his delivery is simply kickass. It’s not always that a sidekick gets more footage than the hero, but it’s a refreshing twist!

His screen presence:

Whether it’s the kidnap scene where he is forcefully dragging his love interest or the introductory scene of him and Datto (Kangana Ranaut at her Haryanvi best), his screen presence is enviable. He manages to keep us entertained with his body language and style, a rare feat to achieve. There’s one particular scene where he is forced to deliver a medical speech in the place of Manu (who is a doctor), and Pappi knock the scene out of the park with his sheer presence. Take a bow, Mr!

Helps Manu, despite knowing the consequences:

He knows the consequences of following Datto, he is also aware of what would happen if Manu plans to marry Datto. And he definitely knows the situation when Manu, Tanu and Datto come together. In fact, he predicts the outcome (for us) with his expressions alone! How many seasoned actors can boast of that? Whether it’s his mumbling in the background or outright shout out to Manu, he manages to express effortlessly! W.O.W.

He is a natural:

Even his most dramatic and over-the-top scenes look natural, thanks to his amazing acting chops. Perhaps that’s the true mark of a good actor, who can make everything look so real. There are some very ‘convenient’ and ‘Bollywood’ scenes in the movie, but they don’t feel so jarring because Kangana and Deepak make it all work.

We are in total awe of this actor, you? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below!