Tevar

If one wishes to list the negative features associated with this first biggie of 2015, then TEVAR has got many. Beginning with once again being an official remake of a south hit titled OKKADU (Telugu – 2003) revolving around the same old repetitive plot seen many times before with a much longer length than required due to many below average unwanted songs thrown just at the wrong timings slowing its otherwise racy pace quite severely. Full of fights, swords, guns, goons and murder it has all clichéd characters ranging from a carefree boy-hero, his group of friends, a police officer father, a caring mother, a bubbly sister, an active politician with his cunning brother and a heroine who is the center of attraction as always in a typical Bollywood film.

But despite all the above mentioned flaws, I am still not willing to ridicule the film completely since it does give you many decent masala moments within this fixed format and has many technical merits in its favour too ranging from a pulsating background score, excellent camera-work and some well-conceived long action/chase sequences shot on actual locations, providing the much required exciting moments throughout along with some fine performance delivered by the known names.

Starting with an enjoyable local feel of a small town TEVAR opens energetically featuring Kabaddi, an introductory fight and a well- choreographed song "Superman" in the first 15 minutes. But then goes back to all formula twists as Sonakshi and other major characters enter the screen with some entertaining dialogues. Its major plot gets revealed just after the dragging "Radha" song and the film becomes entirely predictable post that sequence unarguably. The poor songs keep hindering the pace one after another adding to the over-length of the film making it more than 150 minutes long. And then, though the film keeps coming up with some engaging moments at a regular basis both before and after the interval, it sadly all ends with a pretty poor, obvious and over the top climax that should have been altered.

However what still makes TEVAR a fairly entertaining film for the masses is the sum of few well written dialogues, superbly conceived action as well as confrontation sequences and Manoj Bajpai alone to be straight. Arjun Kapoor gives an honestly worked out performance (particularly in the action sequences) justifying his banal lead character making a visible effort but his overall impact still lacks the punch probably due to the thin voice texture and a bit of over-confidence. Astonishingly Sonakshi Sinhaonce again does a similar 'seen before' kind of role as if she is doing it in a sleep walk whereas the supporting cast efficiently lift up the film featuring the impressive Raj Babbar (as the father), Deepti Naval (mother), Subrat Dutt (as Bajpai's sidekick),Rajesh Sharma (as the politician) and the girl playing Arjun's younger sister.

Returning to Manoj Bajpai, the main savior of the film, its really amazing how he manages to add a lot of newness in a character that he has already played in a few films before. And that's exactly the reason why he is considered one of the most gifted actors of our present times unanimously. In other words TEVAR majorly survives due to Manoj Bajpai ruling the scenes in particular along with the worth watching action, dialogues and cinematography capturing the local feel effectively. Having said that, its editing taking out at least 3 songs and few sequences could have resulted in much better film for sure.

Directed by the talented Amit Ravindernath Shar as his debut film, it does give you glimpses of an experienced man who knows his job well. And I hope he chooses a fresh theme next time coming up with a complete entertainer surprising both the masses as well as the classes together. The man has got the eye and probably an ear too as he aptly uses a soft sad number "Main Nahin Jaana Khereyan De Naal" towards the end that is an original song sung by the maestro Tufail Niyazi from Pakistan.

Ending on a nostalgic note, whenever there is a film like TEVAR solely made for the masses and smaller centers, I prefer to watch it in a single screen theater if possible as that remains the best place to watch such movies with the energetic roaring crowd instead of the silent, sophisticated audience of a multiplex. And all readers above the age of 35 would readily agree with the fact that watching a Bollywood masala movie in a single screen theater makes a major difference in your viewing and enjoying the film altogether without any doubt.

In short, nothing can beat the experience of watching a typical masala Hindi film at a single screen and its really sad that the coming generations are going to miss it. So if you love watching these movies specifically made for the masses and are a fan of Manoj Bajpai too then TEVAR can be tried as a one-time watch for the exceptionally talented actor alone, preferably at a single screen.

Fifteen years into the millennium, Bollywood still hasn't learned to clip off bad elements from a film. It continues to sample tried and tested components so as to rake in the moolah, without caring a tick for "cinema as an art." Since the start of this decade, we have been served with loads of remakes and sequels, and Tevar is nothing different. Only, it regards its audience as rocks.

Tevar tells a story (for the what time now? After Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, fifth?) about a real-life superman (Arjun Kapoor) who doesn't bear any superpowers yet makes his life-purpose to help a damsel (actually a derogatory word for Miss Sonakshi) in distress out of the clutches of a ruffian (Manoj Bajpayee) by making her stay in his own house without the knowledge of his family members including his father who is a cop. As stupid as the story sounds, one will jump out of the hall in exasperation. Unfortunately, there is no improvement in the story, the narration, the screenplay, the action, or at least the humor by the time it reaches its climax. Then the climax happens and I almost smothered myself to death with the corn buds in the basket that didn't actually pop.

The makers have welcomed new year with a bombastic escapade of amateur characters that look strange even in its fictional milieu. While one gets excited with Arjun Kapoor's hot bod and stylistic stunts, the dialogs come and wreak havoc with the whole play. They are both obscene and substandard to even relish. Manoj Bajpayee is good enough as the villain, but a film about heroism will definitely take the plunge if its villain is smarter than the hero. Just what happens with the 150 minute long drama that shows no hint of stopping.

Five songs fit through the drama is like adding chili flakes in a chocolate ice-cream. Most of the story unfolds or folds in these songs which help in the combined torture.

It is true when people say that the first major Bollywood release of any year is part of a jinx and will bomb at the box office. Arjun Kapoor's opening film of the year, thus qualifies, and once again confirms that the jinx is, after all, for real.

BOTTOM LINE: If you can handle tedious stories that are more dramatic and foolish than our own year-long Television soaps, Tevar is definitely made for you.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Tevar is another remake of Telugu blockbuster 'Okkadu' starring Mahesh babu. Watch it only for Manoj Bajpai's acting, otherwise I would recommend to watch the original version instead. Arjun kapoor's acting is no way match with Mahesh, the real deal is comparing Prakash raj(villain's role in Telugu version) vs Manoj bajpai, Manoj really impressed me again with his terrific acting. Sonakshi is a big let down along with supporting actors, old formula repeated again in 2015. Most of Bollywood guys are busy with remakes of south films, trying for commercial hits rather trying something new and original. I give it 5/10.

'Tevar' meaning attitude is filled with macho-ism, routine action sequences and cheesy romance. Never expected some class cinema going through it, tried having an open-mind to enjoy anything it offers but still it failed terribly. Very bad start to new year for Bollywood. 'Tevar' has nothing new using regular formula of masala drama in Indian Cinema.

Main hero here played by Arjun Kapoor is Pintu Shukla a local kabbadi player of Agra, capable of winning matches single-handedly. Apart from that he is also a human-superman always ready to help people in danger using his strength. While Arjun tries his best to give a decent act but the character of Pintu lacks motivation and direction. His one-dimensional motive of helping out anybody no matter what lacks substance. At the same time we are introduced to the villain in Mathura, Gajendra Singh (Manoj Bajpai) a crime lord and the brother of Home minister. He falls for Radhika (Sonakshi Sinha) while watching her dance and straightaway starts pressurizing her to marry him. Both Pintu's and Radhika's road cross while Pintu was visiting Mathura and sees Gajendra forcibly dragging away Radhika who was trying to escape to U.S. As always our Superman needs to save the damsel, and here on the story is very predictable and seldom engaging.

While the first hour of character development was very bland and boring, but suddenly film gets engaging in the middle with some chase sequences and interactions between the villain and hero. Manoj Bajpai is always dependable but his talents are wasted here. Even though he was great to watch in many scenes yet the character of Gajendra also like the hero is quite one-dimensional. On the opposite side, Sonakshi Sinha gives another bad performance.She was unable bring forth her romance on the screen which is the only thing her character does starring clueless at Pintu. Surprises me she gave such a wonderful act in 'Lootera', her only film I liked so far. While Pintu's family was more likable though especially his sister. The film was not pathetic until the last half-an-hour of prolonged and tiring climax with lame predictable ending.

The film is shot nicely though, its always wonderful to have Taj Mahal in the backdrop.Debut director Amit Sharma shows a lot inconsistency. All the songs do not fit into screenplay nicely and feel forced. There is also romance and song in a chase sequence in second half which completely ruins the thrill and atmosphere built up. The dialogues are unremarkable plus the action is senseless and dumb. The length of 150 plus minutes is deterrent and mind-numbing. The production value is high, but even with lots of promotion I think this film will simply fail to entertain the audience. Overall, 'Tevar' was not only a terrible piece cinema but falls hugely short even as routine Bollywood action-flick.

RATING: [1/5]

Tevar is remake of a Okkadu a Telugu film released in 2003. Okkadu was remade into Tamil called Ghilli in 2004 and then also into Kannada a year or two later.

I have watched Ghilli and I enjoyed it. It worked because of two reasons - one Vijay who played the hero and two was Prakash Raj who played the villain. Prakash had also played villain in original as well as in Kannada remake.

However, the Hindi remake has come a decade too late. Hindi audiences have moved on from watching simple masala movies which the 80s doled out regularly. They want some thing new and different.

Unfortunately, Tevar cannot offer anything new. To make matters worse, Arjun Kapoor doesn't have the charisma need to make a mediocre movie into a watchable film. He fails miserably. Unlike the original and Tamil remake where the respective superstars donned the role, Arjun is still trying to make his impression in Bollywood.

However, if there is one reason to watch this film and thats Manoj Bajpai. This man is brilliant as the villain. He plays a ruthless man, killing people with ease and also of a crazy awe struck lover who will go any distance to make the girl fall in love with him.

Manoj had done a similar role in Road, a decade back. However, Manoj ensures that the characters are different. Check out the scenes when he 1st sees Sonakshi or when he goes to college to propose to her. Mind blowing stuff which left me in splits.

Wish Tevar was made a decade ago with Salman Khan as hero and Manoj Bajpai the villain...it would have been a rocking film.