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Fatso!
Fatso!
Fatso!
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Fatso!
Promotional release poster
Directed byRajat Kapoor
Produced byPritish Nandy
Fauzia Arshi
StarringRanvir Shorey
Gul Panag
Purab Kohli
Neil Bhoopalam
Gunjan Bakshi
Brijendra Kala
Production
companies
Pritish Nandy Communications,
Daily Multimedia Limited
Release date
  • 4 May 2012 (2012-05-04)
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹90 million (US$1.1 million)

Fatso! is a 2012 Indian film directed by Rajat Kapoor and starring Ranvir Shorey, Gul Panag, Purab Kohli, Neil Bhoopalam, and Gunjan Bakshi, with a key role played by veteran comic character actor Brijendra Kala. The film is produced by Pritish Nandy and Fauzia Arshi. The movie was released on 4 May 2012 under the Pritish Nandy Communications and Daily Multimedia Limited (Fauzia Arshi) banner.

This 2012 Hindi film's main plot device is similar to the Hollywood films Shallow Hal (2001), Heaven Can Wait (1978), and Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941), the latter two of which were in turn based on a Broadway stageplay from the 1930s – by the noted playwright Harry Segall – also entitled Heaven Can Wait.[1][2][3][4]

Premise

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The story is based on five friends: two young couples Nandini (Gul Panag) and Navin (Purab Kohli), Yash (Neil Bhoopalam) and Tanuja (Gunjan Bakshi), plus their mutual buddy, the hugely overweight Sudeep (Ranvir Shorey). Nandini and Navin are about to get married when disaster strikes. On their way home from Navin's bachelor party, the three boys—Navin, Yash, and Sudeep—are involved in a car crash where one of them is killed. An angel named Vijay (Brijendra Kala) escorts Navin to heaven. When Navin wakes up in heaven, however, he discovers to his horror that through a clerical error Vijay had collected the wrong soul from the accident site: it was Sudeep, not Navin, who was destined to have died in the car crash.

Navin makes a scene in the overcrowded waiting room of heaven and demands that he be returned to earth, and to his loved ones. But by this time Navin's body back on earth has already been destroyed. So the angel Vijay arranges for Navin's soul to return to earth into Sudeep's body. Now trapped in the body of "Fatso" Sudeep, Navin has to woo his beloved fiancée Nandini all over again.

Cast

[edit]

References

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Fatso!

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Fatso! is a American comedy-drama film written and directed by in her sole outing as a director, starring as Dominick "Dom" DiNapoli, an overweight Italian-American bachelor who grapples with his compulsive eating after the sudden death of his obese cousin Sal. The film explores themes of addiction, family pressure, and self-improvement through humor and pathos, as Dom joins at the urging of his sister Antoinette (played by Bancroft) and navigates romantic feelings for Lydia () while resisting temptations like midnight raids on the refrigerator. Released on February 1, 1980, by 20th Century Fox, the PG-rated movie runs 93 minutes and features supporting performances by Ron Carey as Frankie, blending food gags with emotional depth drawn from Bancroft's . Produced by ' Brooksfilms and budgeted at $3 million, it marked a personal project for Bancroft, though it received mixed reviews for its uneven tone—praised for DeLuise's heartfelt portrayal but criticized for repetitive humor—and holds a 29% approval rating on based on seven critic reviews (67% audience score as of November 2025). Despite modest performance, grossing $7.6 million domestically, the film has garnered a for its empathetic take on and in the pre-diet culture era.

Story and cast

Plot

Fatso! centers on Dominick "Dom" DiNapoli (), an overweight Italian-American bachelor in his late 30s who lives with his widowed sister Antoinette "Toni" () and indulges in compulsive eating as a source of comfort, a habit rooted in their late mother's cooking traditions. The story begins with the sudden death of their obese cousin Sal from a heart attack at age 39 during a family gathering, which deeply affects Dom and prompts Toni to confront him about his own health risks. Determined to help, Toni forces Dom to join (depicted in the film as the fictional "Chubby Checkers" group), where he attends meetings led by counselor Charlie () and begins a strict regimen to lose weight, facing intense cravings and temptations like midnight refrigerator raids. As Dom progresses, shedding pounds through exercise and support from fellow members including Frank (Ron Carey), he grapples with the emotional void left by abstaining from food, leading to humorous and poignant scenes of withdrawal and . Amid this, Dom meets (Candice Azzara), a kind-hearted woman who runs an antiques shop and accepts him unconditionally, sparking a romance that challenges his . Their relationship blossoms despite complications, such as Dom's secrecy about his struggles and a brief separation when Lydia visits in . The narrative explores themes of , , dynamics, and , blending comedy—like Dom's exaggerated binges—with heartfelt moments of vulnerability. Ultimately, Dom proposes to Lydia, they marry, and start a ; though Dom regains some weight, he finds contentment in love and personal growth, affirming that true happiness transcends physical appearance.

Cast

  • Dom DeLuise as Dominick "Dom" DiNapoli, the protagonist struggling with overeating and self-esteem.
  • Anne Bancroft as Antoinette "Toni" DiNapoli, Dom's concerned sister who pushes him toward change.
  • Ron Carey as Frank DiNapoli Jr., a family member and support figure in Dom's journey.
  • Candice Azzara as Lydia, Dom's romantic interest who values him for his personality.
  • Sal Viscuso as Charlie, the Overeaters Anonymous counselor guiding the group.
Supporting roles include as Mr. Pacelli and as Dr. Shuster, among others contributing to the ensemble of family and recovery group members.

Production

Development

Fatso! marked Anne Bancroft's debut as a and director. The project originated as a Bancroft wrote and directed while a at the (AFI) in 1978. She expanded it into a screenplay inspired by observations of and , blending with dramatic elements of self-improvement and family dynamics. The film was produced by Brooksfilms, the production company founded by , with as producer, as associate producer, and Brooks serving as executive producer. Bancroft cast frequent collaborator in the lead role, drawing on their prior work together. Development occurred in 1979, with a February 10, 1979, Los Angeles Times report noting Bancroft as one of ten active women directors in Hollywood at the time. Brianne Murphy served as cinematographer, making Fatso! the first major studio film to employ a female director of photography.

Filming

took place in , New York, USA, including locations such as 195 Spring Street and in the . Shooting occurred in 1979, capturing the film's Italian-American family settings and urban environments to emphasize themes of personal struggle. The production wrapped prior to its February 1980 release, with a final runtime of 93 minutes.

Release

Theatrical release

Fatso! was released theatrically on February 1, 1980, by 20th Century . The film received a PG rating from the of America and has a runtime of 93 minutes. It premiered in and . Following its theatrical run, the film was released on DVD by on June 13, 2006, and on Blu-ray by Shout! Factory on June 25, 2019. As of November 2025, it is available for streaming on platforms including and .

Box office

Fatso! grossed $7,653,061 at the domestic box office, marking a modest performance for the film.

Reception

Critical reception

Fatso! received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 29% approval rating based on 7 critic reviews, with the consensus noting its uneven tone and ambiguous approach to themes of obesity and addiction. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times awarded it 2 out of 4 stars, praising Dom DeLuise's performance but criticizing the film's uncertainty in balancing comedy and pathos, stating that "the movie itself just doesn't know" how to handle its subject matter effectively. Other reviewers highlighted the heartfelt elements and Bancroft's direction but faulted the repetitive humor and lack of originality in depicting overeating as an addiction. Michael Blowen of The Boston Globe described it as tiresome, suggesting audiences might feel ready for a "movie fast" by the end. Despite the mixed critical response, some contemporary reviews appreciated the film's empathetic portrayal of body image issues and its blend of slapstick with emotional depth, though it was often seen as uneven in execution.

Audience response

Fatso! has garnered a more positive response from audiences over time, developing a cult following for its humorous take on addiction and self-improvement. On IMDb, it holds an average rating of 6.2 out of 10 based on 2,529 user votes as of November 2025. The audience score is 65% based on over 500 ratings, with viewers praising DeLuise's charismatic and relatable performance, the film's lighthearted gags, and its sensitive handling of without excessive mockery. User reviews often note its rewatchability and emotional resonance, with comments describing it as "sad but funny" and an "underrated gem" that captures the struggles of compulsive eating authentically. However, some audience members echoed critics' concerns about pacing and repetitive scenes, finding it dated in parts. The film's cult status has grown in the decades since its release, appreciated for its pre-diet perspective on and family dynamics, though it remains lesser-known compared to other comedies from the era.
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