Ruslaan

Ruslaan is like a masterclass in how not to make a movie in 2024. Aayush Sharma tries to flex his "mass hero" muscles again, but instead of delivering something entertaining, we're gifted with a mess that feels like it time-traveled from a 90s reject bin. Honestly, the filmmakers seem blissfully unaware that Indian cinema has moved on. They've also hilariously attempted to push the absurd narrative that all Muslim officers are shining examples of patriotism, while the Hindu cop? Yep, you guessed it-he's a traitor. Bold storytelling or just lazy stereotyping?

The film's plot is a worn-out cliché: a terrorist's son proving his loyalty to the country. Groundbreaking stuff, right? Wrong. If they thought the twist in the climax was something new, someone should have told them it was last seen in a Saas-Bahu serial circa 2002. The action scenes are drenched in unnecessary slow motion-seriously, how many angles of Aayush walking in slo-mo do we need? By the third one, I felt like I was stuck in a loop of boredom. The filmmakers seem to think that slow motion equals tension. Spoiler: It doesn't.

Speaking of the cast, Aayush's performance is as forgettable as the plot. The "mass avatar" they've tried to push just doesn't fit. It's like putting a superhero cape on a bored office worker and expecting him to fly. Sushrii Mishraa is there for nothing more than eye candy, because, of course, a film from the 1960s rulebook mandates a bikini scene-even in 2024. Vidya Malvade is supposed to be a tough intelligence officer, but she feels more like a cardboard cutout, and Jagapathi Babu, trying his best to add a pan-India flavor, looks painfully out of place.

The editing? Abysmal. Ruslaan manages to stretch a two-hour runtime into an experience that feels three times longer. The songs are so forgettable, you might wonder if you dreamed them. But honestly, why were they even there? It's like the editor gave up halfway through and thought, "Eh, let's just leave it all in." The production design is so low-budget it feels like the crew raided a discount store five minutes before shooting. At least that would explain why the film looks so shoddy.

Director Karan Butani seems to be living in a parallel universe where outdated masala flicks are still a thing. If this was his attempt to bring that era back, he failed. Spectacularly. Ruslaan is nothing but a torturous ride into mediocrity, and for those who manage to sit through it, congratulations-you've earned a medal for endurance.

"They prioritize flash over substance, thinking a hero's muscles suffice. Neglecting a compelling face and story, they fill screen time without depth. Balance visual appeal with narrative for genuine impact. Character development and engaging storytelling elevate a hero's physicality, investing audiences emotionally and intellectually.

Substance transcends superficiality, fostering connection and resonance. Meaningful narratives explore complexities, motivations, and growth. Investing in story enriches the cinematic experience, leaving a lasting impression.

Audiences crave authenticity, relatability, and emotional investment. Shallow storytelling alienates viewers, undermining potential. Well-crafted narratives weave themes, symbolism, and subtext, rewarding attention and reflection.

Visual spectacle complements, rather than replaces, narrative depth. Iconic films master this balance, resonating with audiences worldwide. Let's prioritize storytelling substance, crafting memorable, impactful cinematic experiences that linger long after credits roll."

A next attempt for Salman's brother in law, Aayush to redeem his career and this vanished in thin air. Right from theatrical release to OTT drop, hardly anyone had a clue about it.

A son of terrorist is adopted by a police officer and he wants to be part of RAW. He is given an assignment to be part of RAW to track most wanted terrorist as he is plotting something big against India.

Aayush Sharma when he did debut he showed potential but in this one, he turns out to be amateur and acted just like Salman which is single expression. Guess he is getting inspired from very wrong place. Shushrii Shreya Mishraa as female lead is decent but hardly any chemistry with Aayush. Vidya Malvade and Jagapathi Babu is the saving grace of this movie who handles their part with perfection.

The story is as cliche as it can get. Logic goes out of window and you just watch any random things happening. Aayush's character uses no proper tech or creative ways to reach the terrorist. The whole story to screenplay is outdated and executed poorly. The final suspense is good and comes as a shocker but it can't save the already sinking ship.

The action blocks are decent and it gives a chance for Aayush to showcase his 6 pack abs. The music and choreography is dud making no impact in that department as well.

Overall, it is a mess you would like to avoid. Either you are fan of Aayush or want to support Salman's relatives, you can give it a try.

#pranureviews #Ruslaan #RuslaanReview.

If you really want to see a well paced and well directed movie then Ruslaan is the one. Every frame and every scene is perfectly executed by the team. Kudos to the team for that. Very hard to predict the movie and the story line is top notch. I personally enjoyed the second part of the movie more. Very good picturization done in Azarbyjan. Aayush looks very promising and has definitely come a long way from his previous movie. Jagatpati Bapu, what can we say is and has always been a legend. Flawless acting by him. Overall, if you're a thrill buff and fancy watching some really cool fight scenes then a must watch !

ATS Officer Sameer Singh (Jagapathi Babu) finds Ruslaan during an undercover mission to eliminate suspected terrorists. Sameer saves Ruslaan and eventually adopts him after seeing his state at the orphanage. The grown up Ruslaan (Aayush Sharma) is forced to prove his identity and loyalty all his life, which has made him firm in his decision to join the forces which Sameer objects. This doesn't stop Ruslaan as he willingly becomes the asset of Mantra, his handler and way for joining RAW. On his mission, he uncovers the involvement of China and eventually falls into a trap which makes him the target with his father Sameer leading the team to capture him. How does Ruslaan prove his innocence and also stop an impending attack in Mumbai, forms rest of the story.

The plus is obviously Aayush Sharma's committed performance which does feel too much considering how the film turned out in second half. The delayed production with the change of director, one can clearly notice how basic the writing is and it is designed as a star vehicle to glorify Aayush Sharma on screen. It is watchable as far as the first half goes with the only major minus being the overdose of slow motion shots and forgettable songs. It has enough melodrama and establishes the clear motive for the hero to join the forces. It's a straight forward story with predictable twists.

The problem lies in the second half entirely where the film stops taking itself seriously while Aayush remains committed. In one scene, he provides his phone, having a video and asks his partner to check the co-ordinates for which she literally zooms in the video and swipes right continuously to claim she has found the co-ordinates. The major scenes lack impact and things fall in place rather too conveniently. The final twist was again quite predictable and definitely not well handled. The actors can only do so much when the writing lacks the fizz. I am going with a lenient rating for Aayush Sharma's commitment and Ruslaan offers nothing else.