Rowdy Rathore

Akshay Kumar plays two characters here, each with his own half each side of the interval to accommodate the stories of ACP Vikram Rathore the fearless cop, and of Shiva the cunning thief, whom we get introduced having as glib a tongue as he has silky smooth hands every ready to pinch any valuable from anyone. We get up close to Shiva first, and his unlikely romance with Paro (Sonakshi Sinha, whose breakthrough performance was Dabangg). Vowing to give up his thieving ways to gain the acceptance of Neeraja, his henchman 2G (Paresh Ganatra) and he commits one last heist, only to find a six year old girl Chinki in the trunk of supposed valuables they stole, and compelled to have to adopt her in the meantime when she is adamant that Shiva is her dad. All these confusion will get straightened out by the time the interval rolls by, but until then, the narrative is relatively choppy, flitting between Shiva's pursuit of Paro, and his disdain for Chinki.

But it's after the interval where things got a little bit more interesting with the story of Vikram Rathore coming into the picture, and making Rowdy Rathore pretty much worthwhile. Fans of many South Indian cop films will find this Hindi remake of Vikramarkudu in familiar territory, and films of the same genre will probably tote the same narrative structure as well, with honest cop blessed with super human strength (as part of the fun) going up against corrupt officials and thugs who rule villages with iron fists. In some ways it's almost serving a cathartic function of sorts, when films offer escapism to those who feel oppressed, and find an outlet to cheer for the unlikely coming of a hero, if only on screen. With anyone challenging oppressive authority, schemes will soon be in place to remove the thorn in any corrupt side, but I must say witnessing Vikram Rathore tear through evil like hot knife through butter, was really something that anyone can cheer to after a hard day's work, especially if one has one's fair share of injustice experienced during the day.

It was publicized that Akshay Kumar hasn't played an all out action role since, well 7 years ago, but I thought Tashan wasn't that far behind although he had to share the limelight with his co-stars. Here he owned both characters he played, with the only distinguishing factor between Shiva and Vikram being the subtleness in the design of the mustache he wore for each character. Action sequences are naturally over the top in any Masala film, and this one has its fair share of incredible stunts topped with countless of explosions. There's something a little bit disturbing though in the action choreography, in its effort to follow Hollywood yet again, that slow-motion techniques favored by the likes of Zack Snyder, found its way to this Bollywood film, and in a pivotal sequence, looked very much inspired by Stephen Chow's Kungfu Hustle, even after so long.

But the best parts of Rowdy Rathore isn't the action, but the characterization and the Indian- English dialogues they're made to express. In Vikram Rathore he stands by his fearlessness of death, and threats to anyone daring to put his daughter in harm's way, with that twirl of his handle-bar mustache and smile, capped with his mantra that he does whatever he says. Shiva on the other hand, although of less brawn but equally, if not more cunning, continues Vikram's good work as Rowdy Rathore, only to add a new flavour to Vikram's threat that he now also does what he doesn't say, sending his enemies into a frenzy only because they cannot fathom what Shiva has up his sleeves.

The song and dance sequences got largely limited to when Shiva and Paro get to express their love for each other, inclusive of spatial travel to far flungs of India, and it's a little bit surprising as to the numbers of songs, and frequency the narrative got interrupted. With the second half intensely gripping, it got abruptly paused for a rock-song sequence that not only brought both actors out of character, but ruined the mood it so carefully set out to craft and instill a forthcoming brooding sense of revenge. Still, it managed to pull in more star power especially in its title track of Chinta Ta Ta Chita Chita with Kareena Kapoor and Superstar Vijay as cameo Item performers.

There's a third story arc squeezed in at the end that came too rushed and was on overdrive to deliver the Rowdy Rathore portion. It was fun to see how the corrupt get their just desserts when having to go up against one of their own - the mantra it takes a thief to catch a thief - and the finale was a pretty much long drawn out affair that started off out of the blue with a sudden kidnapping of sorts. It's true that one can always fall back that a Masala film gets license to do whatever it wants to, but I just felt that if it could have been a little bit more disciplined with its structure, rather than to throw in curveballs on locales and characters, it had potential to become a cult classic. Still, for those of us who crave the quintessential Masala film in a long while, then Rowdy Rathore promises a rocking rowdy time!

A sizzling first half, aided in no mean part by Sonakshi's sensuousness, Akshay's comic timing and some really good laugh out loud moments changes into a fairly ordinary story of revenge, poor villagers and cruel dons & goons in the second half.

Akshay is a small time crook aided by his sidekick, Paresh. A deo ad moment when he is caught by a lady cop, smartly stealing two mobiles from the same guy in the same day and a shot of jewellery walking by itself are the standout funny moments of the first half. Things change when he meets Sonakshi, who's visiting from Bihar. Romance happens smoothly, with humour and without a hitch. And then a little girl curiously starts calling him 'Papa' and life changes completely.

The action in the second half shifts from Mumbai to a village called Devgarh in Bihar. Flashbacks, fights and crass item numbers happen in a plot seen a thousand times before. Nassar plays the long time ruling villain and Yashpal Sharma plays the long suffering honest cop.

I wish the tempo of the first half was maintained in the second. Couple of unnecessary songs add to the general pain, lots of which is inflicted upon the villains and their henchmen and a little reserved for the audience. The daughter is only brought in to attempt to wring a few tears out of the cast and us. The movie is over the top in any case and not amenable to logic but even then there are some ozone layer size loopholes in the story. Also, apart from the 'Chinta Ta Ta Chita Chita' tune there is very little musically to offer in the film

Akshay proves once again that if he is given a half decent plot and dialogue he is very good at comedy. Sonakshi is super, though her dialogue delivery needs to improve and I'm sure it will over time. However, there is something about her, her screen presence and charm papering over any acting loopholes. The sequence where Akshay presses an imaginary record player in his head to make her repeat her actions was fun and nicely done.

The fights are gory, lots of ketchup. The dialogues / story has a touch of 'Dabangg' about it and is enjoyable to an extent. Its not bad as a loud, mindless time pass, don't go in expecting anything else and you may not be disappointed. More at www.apurvbollywood.blogspot.in

Rowdy Rathore directed by Prabhu Deva is a brainless film(story-wise) but a high-leveled entertainer with a new king Akshay Kumar!

Akshay Kumar has been having a no. of flops right from Chandni Chowk To China to Desi Boys.Housefull 2 was a major flop among critics but somehow managed to be a blockbuster.But Rowdy Rathore is something different.Although,it has no story still entertains and captivates you!

Story:

Shiva (Akshay Kumar) is a small time conman in love with Priya (Sonakshi Sinha), a pretty girl whom he met at a wedding he wasn't invited to. Into this picture perfect world enters six year old Neha who inexplicably believes Shiva to be her dad! And if this wasn't bad enough, Shiva also becomes the object of a series of life threatening attacks by a gang of deadly criminals who seem to know something he doesn't. While trying desperately to save his life and love, Shiva stumbles upon a deadly secret. A secret that will take him to a small town in Bihar; a town terrorized by a ruthless politician and the mafia he controls; a town whose inhabitants only hope for redemption is ... Shiva!

Several sequences work out in Rowdy Rathore,these are:

i)The entry of Akshay Kumar as Shiva.The sequence where one could not help but cheer with whistles,claps!

ii)The introduction of Sonakshi Sinha.

iii)The entry of Vikram Rathore(Akshay Kumar) and the fight sequences following it.

iv)The scene when a police officer's wife slams the chair of the villain.

v)The start when Akshay and his colleague 2G share the money among each other.Truly hilarious.

vi)The climax.Brilliant!

The movie also has its share of flaws.The movie could have had a better story,even the,'Chinta Ta' step makes you irritated after a point.Even there are some scenes which preferably cannot be watched with family,like the one when Akshay Kumar stares at Sonakshi's stomach.Its humiliating.

The direction is brilliant.Prabhu Deva does a good job after Wanted.

The music is fine.

The dialogs are clap-worthy.

The action sequences are classy.Although they get a bit-violent but its a treat to watch how the hero beats the more than 100 goons in a slow-motion.

Performances:

Another thing of Rowdy Rathore is the excellent performances.Akshay Kumar is excellent.Be it action,romance or comedy,the actor has an awesome skill each type of role.He is the real Khiladi! Sonakshi Sinha is good too.She has acted very well and is much better than how she acted in Dabangg.Nassar is efficient.He rocks!Yashpal Sharma is fine.Paresh Ganatra is funny as 2G.Kareena Kapoor is so-so in a cameo.Shakti Mohan.Maryam Zakaria and Mumait Khan sizzle in the item song.

All in all,Rowdy Rathore is a perfect movie for the weekend.I am giving it a seven on ten.Akshay Kumar is Rowdy,Don't ANGRY him!

Rowdy Rathore - the immensely hyped return of Akshay Kumar as Action BAAP - delivers what it promised - a Mass Action fiesta with a heavy dose of South Indian which now loved in Noth as well Masalas.

The story is about Shiva (Akshay Kumar), a small 'Rowdy' who charms & steals not only wealth but also every ladies heart in a blink. Shiva falls in love with Priya (Sonakshi Sinha), a pretty and smart girl from Patna. Into this enters six year old Neha who believes Shiva to be her father -Vikram Rathore . The further movie deals with what changes and responsibilities does this little girl brings to his life and how he becomes the only hope for people of a small town in Bihar to get rid of a ruthless MLA Nasser and his mafia goons.

Those who have seen the original either Vikramarkudu or Siruthai may find this one less appealing provided you are not an Akshay Fan. But for the majority of its core target audience this will be a perfect entertainment treat post IPL season that everyone was looking for.Its the perfect blend of comedy,over the top action, songs, dance, dialogues etc., everything that we were expecting from such a movie

Writing this review almost a week after Rowdy Rathore has released.So i suppose most of you would have caught up with the flick!But im writing it none the less. Before starting off with the review i must confess i have watched both the telugu as well as the tamil versions,Ravi Teja's Vikramarkudu and Karthi's Siruthai respectively.

I suppose comparing the three wouldn't be of much use,as all three of them have their distinct style.But i would give Karthi a slight edge over the other two(But i maybe biased though):P Rowdy Rathore starring Akshay Kumar , Sonakshi Sinha and directed by our desi-Michael Jackson(aka) Prabhu Deva packs quite a punch i must admit!Rowdy Rathore as most of us know..is another remake from down south.And by and large most southern remakes have worked wonders(case in point gajini,wanted,singham). Now back to the review. The story goes about like this…Shiva (Akshay Kumar), a small-time thief in Mumbai, falls in love with Priya (Sonakshi Sinha), a girl from Patna, who is in Mumbai to attend a marriage. Its love at first sight between the two. Shiva tells her the truth about him being a thief and resolves to give up crime forever.Enter a young girl called Chinki who thinks that Shiva is her father.Shiva is forced by circumstances to keep the girl.Shiva slowly starts loving the innocent child.Priya finds out about the girl and decides to leave for Patna.Shiva is heart-broken.All of a sudden a bunch of goons start chasing him and the girl…and another Akshay(Vikram Rathore) steps in to save them and ends up giving his life for the same. Cut back to the past.Vikram Rathore (Akshay) is a brave and honest cop who wages war against the evil ganglord (Nasser) of the village(Now where have we heard that before??:P) Now here..comes the twist in the tale…Shiva needs to take up the place of the slain Vikram Singh and what happens next for you to guess(or rather watch..but i suppose its easier to guess). To know what works and what doesn't with the movie...