Baadshaho

So JHC is passe' and people won't know if a plot, characters and even dialogues are plagiarized from the King of Thrillers' novels? Not quite, sir. Because this film is a straight lift from JHC's novel, "The World in My Pocket."

Now this plot is given the make-over, with a strange mish-mash of 1970s flavor, Rajasthani locales and some pretty good action sequences. But since there is no central plot, the film is disjointed and the actors / actresses are wasted. A fleeting reference is made to the (late) maniacal politician, Sanjay Gandhi. For some strange reason, to grab a local (female) ruler's gold hoard, the army is called in, who are present from the first to the last frame with their incompetent presence. I thought it would be the job of the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department, or at least the local police? The latter are there, bumbling along, without any purpose.

The armored invincible van bearing the loot is of course, from JHC's masterpiece. I could not exactly understand Ajai Devgun's character in the film. Was he a personal body guard, or lover, or villager full of angst? We have Vidyut playing an OTP army major. One almost feels like slapping the character played by him. In real life, majors do not strut about in civvies, direct civil operations or argue with their COs. Or carry on clandestine affairs with royalty. Or maybe few do.. I can't say.

The indeterminate ending is good, because the film itself in indeterminate. The sandstorms have been portrayed nicely. Ileana looks good as usual. Not much is expected from her anywaz. The rest come and go without any purpose.

Certainly worth a watch. But a watch without expectations.

First of all most of the reviews here are fake, fake and fake.

Even kids movies have better stories and screenplays. The story may be related to an actual incident but rest of the movie is just a joke.

The plot is laughable and stupid with so many logical errors that I had to quit watching it part way through.

Action scenes are naive and dialogues are unrealistic. Fights and chases are unimpressive.

A big waste of time!

'Baadshaho' is a typical B-Movie, with a A-list budget, director & cast. And to its luck, it succeeds in being a thoroughly watchable heist flick, that has its own share of pros and cons.

'Baadshaho' Synopsis: An Indian queen (Ileana D'Cruz) asks her bodyguard (Ajay Devgn) to steal back gold taken from her by the Indian government during The Emergency period in 1975, when she is arrested wrongfully.

'Baadshaho' is well-paced & all the stuff revolving around the heist, has moments of fun. Sure, the dialogue are cheesy & done for effect, the Writing is never super-solid (despite a few nice twists) & even has a rather weak climax. But, these minuses don't take away its share of pluses, that are its fast-pace, crackling characters & a genuinely sexy background score, that adds hugely to the narrative.

Rajat Arora's Screenplay has its ups and downs, but luckily, it never runs out of breath. The cheesy dialogue merit a special mention. Milan Luthria's Direction is fair. Cinematography & Editing are alright. Action-Sequences are decent, while The Music has interesting tunes.

Performance-Wise: Ajay Devgn is as usual - macho & committed. Emrran Hashmi does very well in a massy role. Vidyut Jammwal is strictly okay. Ileana D'Cruz is passable, while Esha Gupta has her moments. Sanjay Mishra is first-rate, yet again! Sharad Kelkar is wasted.

On the whole, 'Baadshaho' is a fair watch.

Ever since the trailer release, I had decided to watch the film irrespective of critic reviews (and my review comes with objectivity). I see the increasing trend (by film critics) to sabotage the film on a few grounds; however, this one is definitely not worth missing. Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi and Vidyut Jamwal have delivered powerful performances. Lead ladies, Ileana D'Cruz and Esha Gupta have done their part well. Sunny Leone marks her presence with the item number. Action sequences, thrill and twists in the plot are apt! This genre has always fascinated me; and Milan Luthria has always delivered to his best.

I particularly loved the era that the team has created. It's close to real (although it could have got much better). Costumes, hair styling and make-up does total justice to bring the flavor of the 70s. A few dialogues mouthed by Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi are entertaining. Songs are top class. Choreography is superb.

He collects men with muscles and women with great bodies, and packs them off to the deserts of Rajasthan on the pretext of a thriller. But apart from loading the pack with guns, silly dialogues and twisted personalities, and investing in the celebrated Sunny Leone's raunchy moves along with a ginormous truck, Luthria forgets he needs a story to fit them all in. Instead, he obediently plays to the gallery and glorifies his macho men by parading them in slow-mo shots that are tuned to a blaring background score. High on macho-ism and low on logic or reason, Baadshaho unfortunately remains a BAD SHOW.

Luthria could have taken Baadshaho to a higher level. In addition to some compelling action, also on the plus side is the real-life mystery of the wealth that is intelligently handled; there are no filmy 'usual' resolves to the conflict, which again is a bold move. The boldest is how Luthria and Devgn give screen space for all - Vidyut Jamwal, for example; he often steals the scene. Every actor does justice to his/her roles. Stronger writing with less of the repetitive lines, firmer editing, and more realistic approach to the central narrative without the predictable invincibility of the protagonists could have made Baadshaho a more compelling film. For now, it is strictly time-pass.