Singham Returns Online Watch

[Arabella Kochanski]

Come August 15, 2014, more cars will be blasted down to pieces, Ajay Devgn's muscles will re-flex, and police officers will have their conscience knocked at once again. Whether it'll be something different from what happened the first time around or not, we'll know soon. But for now the trailer says the story is going to repeat itself.

Only this time, Kareen Kapoor will replace Kajal Agarwal. Hah! Who am I kidding, like it matters! There is so much one can write in anticipation of a film that gives a feeling of cashing in on its predecessor's popularity.

It is always fun to watch branded films like Singham Returns, whether or not you like the film ultimately. The audience is there to enjoy and I always enjoy their enthusiasm. This once, though there was an additional pleasure. First fifteen minutes into the film, and you know there is a serious attempt at developing a plot. Another half an hour or so in, when you hear one or two people clap and cheer and the rest of the audience joins in you realise that the viewers have been uncharacteristically quiet after the initial zeal. They were hooked to what was happening on screen. Unfortunately, this doesn't last through the film. There are dips, especially in the second half and the climax is a simple bummer.

Yet, Singham Returns started with an impact. In fact, it was a pleasant surprise to see subtlety in this form of cinema. There's a remark on an entire generation being responsible for the "anything goes" attitude of the current generation, especially with regard to corruption. Then, the "vote-buying" scene with the backdrop of a city skyline was a nice touch (even if executed tackily). And a few more alond similar lines.

The dialogue writing, especially in the first half is strikingly good. Even if some of it does get "filmy", a lot of it is delivered smoothly to appreciate both the dialogue delivery and the dialogue itself. At most times they are unexpectedly contextual, and at times they are even insightful/profound. But, of course, it loses steam in the second half.

The writer's passion for showing the hard-working, dutiful facet of the Mumbai police shines through. It's almost as if he takes the offense personally, when people try to bribe a policeman on the street. Not a single policeman is corrupt and they are all up in arms to do the right thing, even if it were at the risk of losing their beloved job. It is almost as if they are an official Union that has gone on strike so that people see the good in them.

I'm usually sympathetic towards women's role in films of this genre which have the woman just because there should be a woman, a necessary prop of types. But, while Singham Returns gives Kareena Kapoor more than her share of screen space, the quality her appearance makes you wish it hadn't. She is more like a romantic-cum-comic relief used to elongate the runtime of the film. The romantic track is too long for the theme of the film, is annoying because it is loud and over-done, out-of-place because it doesn't seem to have received the writer's attention when compared to the rest of the film. It felt like a chore that they needed to get out of the way. It is also loud, undoubtedly and unnecessarily. I'd love to see a quieter version of the film without the romance and the comedy for sure.

Somewhere on the top of the list of things that make the film loud is Kareena Kapoor. She is shrill and irritating and over-acting. This seems to rub off on other women characters even in the small bits they get like Constable Mahesh's wife and the woman from the slums who supports taking money from a political party for her vote. In comparison, the men seem to be in control. Even the caricature Godman baba that Amol Gupte plays looks mild in comparison, though by himself is over-the-top. Zakir Hussain too is appropriately arrogant and scared as a politician whose career is dependent upon which way the tide flows. In their midst is Ajay Devgn's soothing presence even if he doesn't emote much. Even so, each one of them has unmissable screen presence, including Ashwini Kalsekar who plays the over-enthusiastic journalist.

Setting aside the stretched romantic track and lame attempt at humor, even the action choreography and CGI seems half-hearted this time around. Except for a flying Ajay Devgn once in the entire film, there is no real attempt at adding an element of oomph to the action sequences. As difficult as I find it to believe, the focus is the story and the point its trying to make.

That brings me to what some of the regular readers here are waiting to read - It is a Rohit Shetty film, that is a little less like a Rohit Shetty film, because it is actually trying to make sense while trying to keep what one expects from a Rohit Shetty film alive. Fortunately, more of the earlier than latter.

Action sequences looked like a video game of incessant gunshots, with no creativity whatsoever. Bodies of all the dead people after the action sequence are on the side of the road as if making way for the cars to come. Songs. In a scene where there is so much chaos and everyone is running around, one police officer knows exactly where Ajay Devgn is and looks at him to give a signal.

Watched it. And my verdict? First real blockbuster of 2014. Lived up to all my sky high expectations. Thus if you would go without any expectations then you should get the time of your life. If you liked the 2011 instalment then you should LOVE this.

@Fan : If that's the case then Singham Returns should go ahead and Dhoom 3 and become the highest grosser ever! Which it won't...calling Ajay D's(with due respect to him) star power at par with that Salman/Aamir/SRK/Hrithik is an absolute joke. H'es struggled all through his career and its just the lat 3-4 years that he's had tasted consistent success all thanks to Rohit Shetty who indeed is a superstar director and is well on his way to become the Manmohan Desai of our generation.

Had it been Salman Khan movie Meetu would have denounced it "Switch channels if it's in cable" or "Even the keen wait for DVD". However i do agree with your review to some extent, i found the film too predicate and routine. It's all usual bash up, punches, nerve chuckles and cars toppling each other in explosion muddled up together to make a film that allows our Hero alias "Singham" to manifest his upright honest benevolent cop. The chemistry between Kareena and Ajay was absolute boredom whilst Amol Gupte as a fraudulent baba was the worst villainous performance i ve seen in years. I don't understand why Rohit Shetty went on to include some much of media references in the film; perhaps he was taking a jibe with critics who usually thrash his work and therefore we had a "Barkha Dutt" type new reporter :P . That said the movie is palatable intermittently, the overall execution is a relentless sequence of events and actions that seems forced in the script. On the contrary it deserves a watch and will successful amass good revenues at the box office.

One of the signs of a good director is his/her ability to reinvent himself/herself. To adapt, to surprise, to offer something different. And that is exactly what Rohit Shetty has done with Singham returns. Other than the cavalcade of identical SUVs cruising on dirt roads there is no other Shetty signature. Yet the film is entertaining and you don't miss the flying cars or flying bad men.

Singham, strengthened with the arrival of Daya, continues his job diligently from part one. Completely incorruptible, extremely human in treatment of innocent culprits, intense looks, and the proud Marathi manoos - Ajay Devgn as Signham is respect personified. Caught up in the dirty electioneering politics of India, fighting allegations of corrupt colleagues, and in between whatever time is available trying to escape marriage (once again) from a Jab We Met pre-interval part Kareena Kapoor.

The story is sufficiently alright to keep the goings on interesting - although it does dip a little bit post interval. Every actor fits quite well in the character they are supposed to portray. Mumbai is shown in some magnificent scenes - the director of photography certainly gets my full marks.

Rohit Shetty and Ajay Devgn combination is shaping up gradually to be a modern day Manmohan Desai and Amitabh Bachhan combination. Manmohan Desai touch is completed with a major portion of the film dedicated to Mahim Dargah's importance and scenes in that locality and community. Of course, they had no bearing (logical or otherwise) to the story - plugged in there in typical MD style for inter-religion integration.

Action sequences, for a Rohit Shetty film, are much calmed down - especially compared to gravity defying rib breaking stunts of Signham. Rohit, it would seem, wants to give a message that he is capable of doing less OTT films - and can be a real entertainer.

Finally, a note of disapproval. A respected and responsible film-maker should portray a good story whilst remaining within the boundaries of established law. Showing extra judicial killings, glorifying them, are not a sign of a responsible film-maker. It gives an extremely incorrect message to the gullible youth that it is cool to bump off people whom you believe are bad and evil. Let us not use films to promote anarchy in our society. Role of police is helping the executive arm of the government, and it should be respected in films too, and at least should not be glorified. Judiciary is best left to the courts, even with their known deficiencies.

Overall: Rohit Shetty has delivered a sure shot hit, at the same time moving away quite a bit from his typical style. He has come up with a reasonably interesting and contemporary plot to keep the youth engaged. On the other hand the story does not have sufficient twists and turns to give you the jaw dropping moments. Action sequences are more down to earth, car explosions are extremely limited, humour sprinkled here and there, songs are alright, Mumbai highlighted in an almost never before seen way. If you liked Singham, then you would certainly like the Return. Although tastes may vary on whether the original was better or the new one is better. Instead of comparing, just enjoy each of the Singhams.

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