BOLLYWOOD | Film Review
Beware, Only for the Brave: Himmatwala
Directed by: Sajid Khan
Produced by: Vashu Bhagnani and Siddharth Roy Kapur
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tamannaah Bhatia, Paresh Rawal, Mahesh Manjrekar, Adhyayan Suman, Zarina Wahab and Sonakshi Sinha (item number)
Music by: Sajid-Wajid
Review by: Joginder Tuteja
Rating: * (Awful)
(Above): Tamannaah Bhatia and Ajay Devgn in “Himmatwala.”
When the remake of Himmatwala was announced there were obvious questions on how the film would be presented in the current times. After all, the Jeetendra-starrer was a melodramatic affair and for today’s audience, it may have been difficult to digest in an as-is format.
As it was said that the film would be presented in a new avatar to cater to today’s audience, there were expectations of something interesting in the offering. As it turns out, a major part of it is just like the original. Also, it does not grab your attention entirely. The very core of Himmatwala isn’t striking enough to make one expect anything extraordinary.
A son (Ajay Devgn) taking on the village lord (Mahesh Manjrekar) as he has scores to settle for the death of his father, the poor state of his mother (Zarina Wahab) and sister, is a storyline that was over explored multiple times in the 80s.
(Above): Sonakshi Sinha appears only in an item number in “Himmatwala.”
The 80s version worked but in current times, one would have expected something a tad bit more striking.
Whether it is when Ajay takes on the tiger or later when the latter comes back, or the fight sequence on the truck where Ajay beats the pulp out of a goon, there are moments of some thrills.
The last twenty minutes of the film where Zareena Wahab indulges in some dialogbaazi is also okay, more so due to the fact that it makes you feel nostalgic about films of yore. However, this isn’t really something that holds the entire film together.
As a core storyline, Himmatwala doesn’t have much to offer. The plots around Ajay’s sister being tortured and later Tamannaah coming to Ajay’s rescue don’t engage. The dramatic aspect isn’t as striking either while the flashback sequence is ordinary.
(Above): Ajay Devgn (c) with other co-actors in “Himmatwala.”
Thankfully, Kadar Khan’s track from the original is very well brought back with Paresh Rawal not just emulating the character but also the actor himself.
Watch out for the way he communicates with the camera, a la Kadar Khan. His dialogs might find acceptance from the masses.
Mahesh Manjrekar plays his part well, though Amjad Khan’s menace in the original film is still missed. Adhyayan Suman, reprising Shakti Kapoor’s role, is okay and so are other supporting actors.
As the Himmatwala, Ajay appears convincing. He bashes up the goons, teases the heroine and also indulges in comedy. The role doesn’t require him to turn overly intense. Tamannaah is decent though one waits to see how she performs in a character that comes with some more meat. She is a good dancer, an added plus.
Music goes well with the film’s narrative.
(Above): Ajay Devgn in Tamannaah Bhatia in “Himmatwala.”
Himmatwala is a film that could have been a lot better had the director envisaged the intelligence of his audience, which he clearly seems to have either misjudged or deliberately ignored.
In short, this film does not warrant your time if you have limited resources and know how valuable that can be.
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