The BIG BLOCKBUSTER movie for a Diwali release on 5th November was Rohit Shetty’s Sooryvanshi starring Akshay Kumar (COVID-19 postponed the originally slated for March 2020 release & once again in April 2021).
I thoroughly enjoyed this Fourth Cop Universe (the First three being Ajay Devgn’s Singham 2011 & 2014 and Ranveer Singh’s Simmba 2018)
Similar to Simmba, even this cop action saga is narrated by Ajay Devgn, who reminds us of the several terrors attacks which Mumbai has encountered since the 1993 serial blasts to the 2008 terror attack on several landmark locations in Mumbai, including The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The story in film unfolds as the biggest attack is yet to happen in the city, as some sleeper cells from Lashkar have been activated and it is found that 600 kilos of RDX left over from ’93 serial attacks is being used for the purpose. Sooryvanshi (Akshay Kumar) & Dr.Rhea’s (Katrina Kaif) Son- Aryan(Aha, a name in the news since 2 months now !) adds the confusion & chaos of being at the right place at the wrong time with his mother & father (who keeps messing up with names throughout the movie).
On the surface, Rohit Shetty lives up to his strengths. The action is top class, jokes connect and there is no limp in the pacy narrative. Flaunting grey sideburns, and aviators, Akshay, in the Tom Cruise mode, performs a series of whistle-inducing stunts, and his comic timing hasn’t aged. The self-reference jokes reminding him of his age consistently hit the target.
However, Sooryavanshi is riddled with clichés and the length could do with a good edit, especially in the first half. Post interval, it gets gripping with loaded action and dhamaka.
The best part of Sooryavanshi is the extended cameo by Simmba Bhalerao (Ranveer Singh) and Bajirao Singham (Ajay Devgn) join Veer Sooryavanshi (Akshay Kumar) in a high-octane clash against terrorists. The final 15-20 minutes is fun as the trio revels in slick action and whacky comedy.
This movie is reviving cinema halls & entire hindi film industry single handed when intellectuals said the sector is dead & OTT is the only way forward.
Singham and Simmba add both muscle and merriment to the climax and till then a robust support cast brings out the layers in the narrative. Gulshan Grover shines as the evil Usmani and Kumud Mishra makes us empathise with the dilemmas of Bilal Khan. Jackie Shroff, Javed Jafferi and Abhimanyu Singh are not found wanting either. But it is Katrina Kaif who surprises in what seems like a typical two-songs, three scenes kind of role.
Given Katrina and Akshay have been cast together, a few mandatory song-and-dance sequences had to be added. The pair have always sizzled on screen, therefore a recreation of Tip Tip Barsa Pani toh banta hai. It is another story that despite Katrina slithering with the utmost earnestness, you will be reminded of Raveena Tandon’s yet-unmatched oomph. Another song, Najaa, was also put in to – what we can imagine – give you the chance to check your phones and answer essential texts, for once the songs are over, and the punches – and cars – begin to fly, you will not be able to take your eyes off the screen.
Again similar to Simmba,where we get to know about Veer Sooryanvanshi coming soon,here also the conversation with Jackie Shroff & Ajay Devgn in the climax,you get to know there is one more Singham coming soon(may be next year?)
Overall, it is a Deepawali cracker that lights up the sky & is worth once a watch & it will surely cross 100+ Crores of Box Office Collection this week itself.
Waiting for the movie… wonderful article.
Good luck for entire team.