Movie review: Watch Singham Returns for the action, not comedy

Bajirao Singham (Ajay Devgn) takes on a corrupt politician (Zakir Hussain) and a godman (Amol Gupte) who are involved in black money racket and divisive politics. The film tracks Singham's fight against the system and the villains.  

Rohit Shetty is back with the sequel of his 2011 hit Singham. Ajay Devgn reprises his role of the good cop, Bajirao Singham, while Kareena steps into the shoes of Kajal Aggarwal, Singham's lady love.Rohit Shetty has often said that he does not make movies for critics and entertaining the audience is his sole motto. While Singham was a fun-filled entertaining movie, Singham Returns does not really match up to the standards set by it. 

Rohit has aimed his guns at black money and racketeering in elections and politics. The screenplay smartly takes digs at leaders who bank on divisive politics and the poverty of the people. The film highlights cash distribution for getting votes and stacking of black money. 

Sadly, the issue-based plot is not executed well. In the whole political backdrop, Anupam Kher (Guruji, the good-hearted politician who gets murdered) and Zakir Hussain (Swamiji's political aide) perfectly bring the malice of our political system on screen. Amol Gupte, who plays the corrupt holyman -- Swamiji is too much over-the-top with his acting and is not convincing enough. 

Ajay Devgn is back as the one-man army, Singham. Kareena's role is minimal but she also brings some comic respite to the film. Rohit does not fully employ the skills of Mahesh Manjrekar and Pankaj Tripathi (Gangs of Wasseypur fame) and that leaves the audience asking for more. 

Singham Returns does not even blow up enough vehicles to qualify for a Rohit Shetty film -- perhaps Salman Khan's Kick blew up more vehicles than this one!

CID-fame inspector Daya plays one of the main aides of Singham. After waiting for almost the whole movie, Singham orders him: 'Daya darwaza tod do!' 

The action sequences, one of the major attractions of Shetty's films, are well shot. In typical Rohit Shetty-style, you are treated with lavish aerial shots and picturesque views.  

Interestingly, Singham Returns has several gems of wisdom in the form of dialogues. Sample a few: 

'Aam aadmi ki takleef darr paida karti hai, darr se andhvishwas aur andhvishaaw se main banta hun,' says Swamiji, who rules millions of hearts with sheer blind faith of the people. 

'Sher atank machata hai, ghayal sher tabaahi,' Singham tells one of the goons. 

'Jab ek ke baad ek darwaaze band hone lagein, to khidki khol deni chahiye.' 

'Politics me sahi galat ka koi barometer nahi hota.' 

The audience mostly wants action as well as comedy in a Rohit Shetty film. Sadly, Singham did not return with a bang. 

Source : http://www.hindustantimes.com/