Masala reboot gone haywire

 Nonika Singh

Note badal gaye par niyat nahi…And zamana badal gaya but not some of our makers who continue to toe the beaten track. Crusade against corruption in true blue vigilante style… that’s khaalis Bollywood formula which has trailed and marred innumerable Hindi films since ages. Only if you thought the formula was long gone, dead and buried, wake up and watch  bloodshed, gore and more. 

Seriously, the film that begins with John Abraham as Veer Rathore burning a man alive has absolutely nothing new to offer not even old wine in new bottle. The same old homilies, the ceaseless action and endless jumlebaazi…. Patil ho ya Qadri sab ki ek biradri, Daamle aur petrol ke daam dono upar gaye. A la Gabbar is Back and Singham prototype; it is one man against the corrupt system, weeding out dishonest police officers to ensure truth triumphs.

Alas, the title Satyameva Jayate is a travesty here for nothing in the movie sounds true or credible. The false air of propriety, the blaring music, chanting of sholakas as Veer takes on unscrupulous policemen one by one… it’s a collective affront to sense and sensibility. To be fair, till the first half, one is mildly interested in the proceedings. Hopes for a better deal are rekindled when it threatens to turn into a cat and mouse game between the vigilante and the police. Manoj Bajpayee makes his presence, typical hero style, on a fishing spree with his daughter. He, we learn soon, is the one odd good honest cop in a world teeming with scum of the earth. The twist prior to intermission does come as a surprise. 

But hereafter, the film goes into a downward spiral. It’s a free fall into a deep morass and there is no recovery whatsoever. Neither John’s beefy body nor his killing machine act can save the film for you. His back story, his romance with Shikha (Aisha Sharma) and good lord the mind numbing climax, which by the way has a Deewaar moment too, run the same predictable distance with zero entertainment value. Amidst the mayhem, well somehow both lead actors stand their ground. Gifted actor Bajpayee tries his level best to infuse some meaning into his character and despite the incongruity of it all John looks sincere.

But you dear viewer will find it near impossible to bear with this masala reboot sans spice or flavor. Our advice, take cover…this film which comes with adult certification is strictly avoidable fare for both adults and children. Even John’s diehard fans would find nothing to cheer about. If this is truth, falsehood would suffice.