Movie Review : Dabang

Beginning of a review is most difficult when you are in a dilemma. When your thoughts are stretched between the extremes of pure value adding cinema and pure commercial but entertaining cinema. Let me try.

Since I first saw the preview of Dabang a few weeks back I could easily make out that this film would be WANTED (Part-2). And after watching the movie I would not say that I was totally wrong. 'Wanted' was a huge success without any story to flaunt of. It stood its ground only on one thing, Salman Khan; his attitude, his dialogues. I am sure 'Ek baar jab main commitment kar deta hoon to phir to apni bhi nahin sunta' is already in the history books and would be remembered through decades. Taking the tip from the same, Arbaz Khan has done one and foremost thing correct which is to create a character which is Salman himself and write a story on that. Do I fell that a SRK or an Aamir Khan can pull off this role? I don't think so. I feel that in a parallel universe in which Salman is not an actor, he surely can be Chulbul 'Robinhood' Pandey, the lead character of this movie.

The story is based in a small town in UP where Chulbul Pandey is a corrupt but intelligent and good-at-heart cop. He thrives on his care-free and courageous attitute. He has a troubled relationship with his step-father (Vinod Khanna) & step-younger-brother (Arbaz Khan). The only thing keeping him in the house is his mother (Dimple Kapadia).

Because of his attitude Chulbul on many occassions seems to be cornered by his enemies but barges out clear and un-hurt. But at one point the professional hazards of a maverick cop take a toll on his personal life and the so the story moves on.

The first half of the movie is more entertaining but the actual story doesn't even start to shape-up up till the half hour passed after the interval. The whole movie keeps a smile on your face. Salman's dialogues and the sequences funny created there by just keep the movie rolling.

The only tip that will come in handy before you enter the show of Dabang; leave your logics and laws of science in your vehicle that you have parked outside and get ready for some Dabang action. Please don't try to understand how a human punch can make another person fly like being weightless or how a face smash can break a concrete floor in to pieces. No Sir, No Ma'am, this is not a physics class. Please enjoy the mindless action that Dabang has to offer to you. It does go with the whole theme of the movie and Chulbul Pandey's character.

About the villain, Sonu Sood; I personally feel that he is not good enough an actor to play the main villain. He should be happy with a role of a side-hero or a villain’s not so important son or something. He has toned up his body really nice but his acting doesn't do any justice to his role.

The main miss in the movie would be the 2 master actors, Anupam Kher and Om Puri, being wasted on trifle roles. Any small time character-actor could have filled the roles. Then again the movie's focus is nothing else but on Salman's character.

Last but not the least, the lead lady, Sunakshi Sinha, seemed comfortable and did more than justice to the not-so-important role. She even made her presence felt in the movie when her character is not a part of the main story line. Her character is the only person in the whole movie who could make Chubul Pandey make a run for the money; meaning she is the female Chubul Pandey. Jokes apart, her acting was fine, dialogue delivery was great and we sure should be ready to see her in more movies soon.

The music is really good and all the songs are in tendum with the story and keep you engaged. My personal favorite 'Tere mast mast do nain'. To download the songs Click here.

In accordance to the start of this review, I will be giving 2 different ratings to Dabang. First one for the any normal moviegoer, I rate it 2.5 on 5. Second one special for diehard Salman Fans, 3.5 on 5.

Go and watch it for Salman. Enjoy the movie and have a great weekend.