Not in the commanding position

Nonika Singh

Early in the film comes a line Kahani mein twist kya hai.... and rest assured twists are plenty. So what’s the hitch? Well, there are so many curves and bends that by the time the ride finishes, you not only lose account of what’s happening and why but also interest. Taking a cue from the recent demonetization drive, the film follows the black money trail to foreign lands and delivers what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has failed to. 

For jaanbaaz commando Karanveer Singh Dogra (Vidyut Jammwal) of the prequel is now in a special cell and in search of money launderer Vicky Chadda who has many disguises. When the real face of Vicky appears you are taken aback for a moment. But apart from this revelation, there are no ‘oh my god’ or ‘heart in your mouth’ moments in this actioner that tries oh-so-hard to be an intelligent thriller. 

Criticising an actioner for its mindless action would not be fair, more so since the action sequences aren’t bad. 

But certainly the film can be critiqued for its thoughtless meandering and additional seasoning that tries to pack in humour. Adah Sharma as dabang- style corrupt police inspector Bhavana Reddy with sunglasses in place is the supposed comic and romantic relief.   She, along with Esha Gupta, as the film’s fulcrum point gets enough screen time. Kudos to women power…but only on paper. If Adah’s south Indian Hindi and in your face mannerism fails to tickle, Esha’s seductive dangerous act too can’t quite make an impact. In between a battery of actors: Adil Husain( wasted) and  Shefali Shah (competent), stands Chandigarh boy Vansh  Bhardwaj who does get to flex a few acting muscles. However, neither his character nor his efforts add up to anything substantial outcome which could be said of the film too. Every time the narrative turns a new leaf it turns the plot on its head. All possible contrivances are put to use and while Jamwal’s gravity defying stunts are credible the logic defying plot certainly isn’t.

Yes there is a plus, the movie moves rather fast, as fast as Vidyut’s rippling muscles on which the camera zooms before it can focus on his face. In fact, in the opening sequence laden with action itself you know where the film’s real heart is going to be. The point is does it have a heart? Modi and his men are likely to think that it has a purpose too and likely to applaud wholeheartedly at the final finish.  Oops…did we give away the climax...but fret not, surprises are dime a dozen, only are worth a dime too and certainly not your hard-earned money.

Indeed, if you really feel strongly about black money better read the newspapers to know how the government plans to tackle the menace, rather than watch this simplistic and warped tale of getting black money back into the country.