Film: Singham Returns
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Kareena
Kapoor, Amole Gupte
Directed by: Rohit Shetty
Duration: 2 hrs 22 mins
Rating: * * 1 / 2
Basking on the success of
Singham, Rohit Shetty returns with the sequel that is solely aimed at pleasing
the masses. There is action, romance, at times it is preachy but above all, it
gives the audience what they've come to see - the hero kicking the baddies ass.
In one scene, bullets are fired literally on the either buttock of the
villains. The crowd is happy, it is their moment of catharsis.
Hopefully one day, Rohit
Shetty will make a film with a screenplay that doesn’t play to the gallery all
the way. He has the talent and flair to make a taut action thriller but why
bother with all that when the cash register keeps ringing and rings so loud
with stories that cater to the lowest common denominator?
The film is a tribute to
the police force, we are told how such few number of policemen looks after millions
of citizens in Mumbai, where the story is situated. Bajirao Singham (Ajay
Devgn) is now a senior police officer working with a thoroughly dedicated team,
including inspector Daya. A scene involving the inspector in the climax is a
hoot.
When he is not catching
the bad guys or shooting them with an aim that will make our Common Wealth
Games shooters proud, he spends time with Avni (Kareena Kapoor), they don't
want to get married to each other but there is parental pressure. You know the
drill. Avni's character is purely to fulfill the glamour quotient.
The villain here is a
godman (Amole Gupte, over the top but highly effective) who is also a conman
and his dirty deeds are done dirt cheap. He is hand in glove with a politician
(Zakir Hussain) who is trying to counter the principled and noble Guruji
(Anupam Kher).
The stage is set for
jeeps and cars to be blown, tankers to be rammed and bullets to be sprayed in
this no expense barred enterprise. In between, Shetty also evokes some emotions
- the plight of the widows of police constables or the scene where a mother
from a slum challenges talks about their plight and challenges Singham.
The film is not devoid of
humor either, in fact it is fun when it doesn’t take itself seriously. The
problem lies with the basic story and screenplay writer Yunus Sajawal's
filmography with endless duds boggles the mind yet he continues to find
favor.
Shetty knows how the
manipulate the feelings of the viewer, given the grievances with regards to
corruption and apathy to problems, the audience is more than happy to see a
revolt on the screen. For good measure, an episode of communal harmony is also
thrown in.
The action is always
something to look forward to in a Rohit Shetty's film, it is in genes after all
(his father was the legendary fight master Shetty). While there is no money
shot action in the climax, a shoot-out near the railway track is well
executed.
While Kareena does her
best to infuse life in her otherwise dull character, Ajay Devgn plays his role with
conviction. On the whole Singham Returns has its moment and those who know what
to expect from it won't be disappointed.
Published in The Navhind Times on 17th August 2014
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