I am not sure why I am so elated as neither Sanjay Bhansali nor UTV have agreed to share the profits with me after a huge opening it has taken, but then there are few things from the heart which defy logic! Though Akshay Kumar had witnessed few successful outings after Singh is King, I firmly believe he had not got that one Huge Masala film with right genre & hype to woo the masses in hoards as he missed the bus in picking action projects which are ruling roost for last few years. This was his best chance to score, with right genre, music, & promotions : & he along with the team of Rowdy Rathore seem to have scored Big by delivering what they had promised : Entertainment for the Masses :)
There are few films which are meant for mass audiences & there are others which are targeted at elite intellects. Right from the conceptualization of this film, the producers, actors & the director were very clear that they were making this one for the mass Indian audiences on the lines of Dabangg & Singham. The same was depicted in the trailers & when one sees the movie, he would realize that the people will get what was promised: Doses of Action, comedy, romance, songs: a Complete Entertainment package. Critics & pseudo intellects can stay away as this outing was not meant for their sharp brains.
When you try and copy a successful product with some alterations, there are two possibilities. One is that you might end up cooking a Khichdi which is intolerable to eat. The other possibility is that you end up making an equally compelling product if not better than the original. It is here Prabhu Deva scores big time. He was trudging a high risk zone of mass entertainers where comparisons with Dabangg, Singham & Agneepath could have hurt his fortunes badly in case he would have faltered, but he has executed his dish pretty well to ensure a successful product.
The movie is however not free from minuses. There are sections in the middle which seem totally unwanted. Then some songs seem to pop up from nowhere, either to increase the length of film or give some required footage to Sonakshi. Few scenes & dialogues look over the top and actually filmi…
Story is about 2 look a likes and the way their lives intersect and impact each other. One is an honest cop fighting the goons in Bihar & the other is a thief in Mumbai who comes across surprising incedents where he gets attacked for mistaken identity. Akki is the soul of the movie and plays double role with ease: One of the super cop Vikram Rathore which would remind you of Salman & Ajay in their successful outings earlier. But it is as thief Shiva, he brings the house down! He seems to be in his element to the hilt, be it body language in action scenes, or the comedy where he has again excelled. Even critics who would bash the movie will find it difficult avoiding crediting him for being the bright spot. He should thank Prabhu (Both God & director!) as he couldn’t have asked for a better return to action genre.. Sonakshi has limited screen time but looks good the time she is there with good chemistry with the actor. Other actors playing negative roles have done full justice to their roles of being the modern Gabbar’s in the new age Sholay Sajid Wajid’s music is in sync with the entertainment quotient though they could have given few compositions better. Cinematography is of high grade covering the landscape well. A very special mention to the dialogue writer: He has done wonders to the film by striking a chord with audience prerelease & even a bigger chord post release by creating a roaring impact , people are certain to cherish & take home “Jo mai bolta hu vo mai karta hu, jo main nahin bolta, vo mai definitely karta hu”
The Mass audience of B & C grade centers will certainly like Rowdy more than their counterparts in metros. The class audience of metros who seek entertainment will also like the venture. But the intellect section which may not have liked potboilers like Bodyguard earlier should stay away from this one.
At the box office this will work, & work big time. Smaller centers would see records tumbling; bigger ones will also see descent business. This will certainly help Akshay consolidate his position after Housefull 2 as the star of masses and give Salman Khan Company in that segment. As for producers, they have kept their all promises: Promise of entertaining audiences & make distributors & themselves go all the way smiling to the bank. In one of my previous articles I had mentioned, the result for Akki's biggest test this year would be out by 3rd June, yes it is out & he has scored HUGE! As for Akki fans, we can only tell the critics: “Don’t Angrryyyyyy Us” & let us celebrate the Rowdiness :D :D
