Hrithik Roshan’s much awaited Bang Bang had created quite an interest among the audiences right from the time the trailer was released. Also starring Katrina Kaif, this film is directed by Siddharth Anand and has been released in over 5000 screens worldwide today. Let’s see how this action entertainer turns out to be.
Story
Omar Zafar (Danny Denzongpa), the most wanted criminal for the Interpol, is jailed in London and then one fine day, Omar manages to escapes from the high security jail. In order to teach everybody a lesson, he assigns Rajvir (Hrithik) to rob the world famous Kohinoor diamond which is kept in London.
Rajvir successfully steals the diamond and when Omar sends his people to collect the diamond from him, Rajvir escapes from them with the help of Harleen (Katrina Kaif). Who is Harleen? Why does Rajvir refuse to give the diamond back to Omar? What is his connection with Omar? For answers to all these questions, you need to watch ‘Bang Bang’ on the big screen.
Performance
Hrithik Roshan might quiver in his emotional scenes but hell when someone is that good looking, it is hard to notice. Roshan fans will spend half the film ogling at his Greek God looks. But as Rajvir, thankfully Hrithik seems to be enjoying himself. He is casual and breezes through his part brilliantly. He is pitch perfect as Rajvir making his character an extension of his image from Dhoom 2, just better.
Katrina Kaif too is fluent in the role of Harleen. She is innocent and charming and does quite well what is expected of her. Though really low on action, I am glad the script did not serve her another measly, thankless part and gives it a shade different from Cameron’s in the original.
Danny Denzongpa is not even half as menacing as you expect the villain to be. He is an absent character from the frame and when he makes an entry in the climax, he is left unused.
The same goes for Javed Jaffrey who is good as long as he is there but barely has much to do.
In a limited cameo, it is Jimmy Shergill who is terrific and such a pleasant surprise.
Plus Points
This is a start to finish Hrithik Roshan film and his fans will get to see their matinee idol in his true spirit. Right from his dances, fights and bulked up body, Hrithik shows it all. Katrina Kaif ably supports Hrithik in his act and their chemistry certainly sizzles.
All the so called action sequences that are shown look stunning. Production values are quite good and take the film to another level. The climax of the film is quite interesting and the car chase sequences specially that have been designed is in Hollywood style.
Minus Points
As we all know, that this film is an official remake of the Hollywood film ‘Kinght And Day’. Sadly, this flick is nowhere close to the original. There is absolute no logic or flow to the narration and this film has a water-thin storyline which is only covered up with thrills and stunts.
For the entire first half, it is only Hrithik’s heroics and his so called show off that takes the center stage. The way Katrina’s character travels with Hrithik is sometimes unjustifiable. The first half is filled with songs which are unnecessary. A simple line and an even simpler mission is just stretched for three long hours and this tests the patience of the audience.
Technical
Technically Bang Bang is quite good. All the locations are stunning and quite new for Bollywood flicks. The camerawork is awesome and showcases the locales in a superb manner. The production values are quite rich as the makers have not compromised on giving this flick a grand look.
Another major drawback of the film is the music since Vishal-Shekhar’s music score is below par and none of the songs fail to register. Coming to the director, Siddharth Anand who has made films like Salaam Namaste and Anjaana Anjaani in the past has given the flick just a stylish and grand look. Except for the stunts, he has lost out on every other department.
Analysis
I believe the script is as much to be blamed in the lack of energy in the film as the direction. Sujoy Ghosh, Abbas Tyrewala and Suresh Nair did not bother stretching the contours of Knight and Day. They limited the film to Bollywood frills making it a potboiler not above than the regular ones we frequently watch these days. As it is the film’s story in the first place isn’t a work of genius and in their attempt to translate it for Bollywood, the writers have garnished it with judicious helpings of bhai ka pyaar story, estranged family melodrama, nani Ki yaad and a bunch of regular stuff that fails to fit in with the film.
For the whole first hour, the film meanders in speed as a car show. As Hrithik and Katrina slip from one car to another, it is a shoot out fest. The songs and dances are too frequent. In fact I could have easily watched Hrithik dance for the whole while, it would have been more value for money!
I can point out the basic logic lapses as well. In one of the earlier scenes in the film, Hrithik is seen meeting a bunch of people in an open air Dhaba. Later, a CCTV footage of his was sent to the Delhi Headquarters. CCTV in a Dhaba in Shimla, really? Could creative liberty get more ridiculous than this?
If I manage to forgive the endorsement of Mountain Dew, Pizza Hut and Micromax, I will still stand by the fact that I hated the script. It is a blatant, scene by scene, a more desi illustration of Knight and Day. Those oblivious of the original will find this spectacular but frankly the slim story fails to inject emotions, chemistry or anything that will remain with you after the Film is over. This one is a glammed up version of Knight and Day and Siddharth has extracted Hrithik from Dhoom 2, gave him better toys (read guns, pistols and exotic cars) and asked him to go have fun. Anything that makes you like this film, give it to Hrithik and even Katrina and if you get bored blame the writer trio!
Final Word
As the saying goes ‘All that glitters is not gold’, this stands true in the case of Bang Bang. Excepts for the high octane action scenes shown in the trailers, there is nothing interesting in this flick. However, keeping Hrithik and Katrina’s huge fan following in mind and a 5 day long weekend, this film might rake in good figures at the box office!
