IBTimes India Rating: 3
One doesn't really need to evaluate a script for a film such as "Singham Returns". The title itself is suggestive of the mind-blowing (quite literally) action sequences, along with an entertaining experience.
DCP Bajirao Singham (Ajay Devgn) is a people's hero and is ready to fight all things corrupt. Avni (Kareena Kapoor Khan) plays his ladylove and supports him in his endeavours. His mission begins when a corrupt godman Swami Ji (Amole Gupte) and his wily side-kick Prakash Rao (Zakir Hussain) kills Guruji (Anupam Kher).
Keeping in mind the release date (15 August), a healthy dose of protests, candle light vigils, divisive politics, black money, corrupt politicians and helpless citizens have been added to the 'masala' script to ignite patriotism.
Director Rohit Shetty, unlike his last film "Chennai Express", consciously avoids comedy as it runs the risk of diluting the seriousness of the centre plot. The choice of plot device isn't novel as it resorts to the age-old good vs evil scheme. It makes the hero lose a few links prior to half-time, only to join them back to form a chain.
Edge-of-the-seat action sequences and chases put a vulnerable hero on the forefront. Singham isn't a superhero to fight an army of goons without getting himself injured. So he isn't the quintessential Bollywood cop.
Over-dramatic dialogues pushed into action scenes were more of a deliberate attempt and annoying in parts. In an effort to remind the audience of the prequel, Shetty has overdone with the "Aata Majhi Satakli" hymn.
Devgn delivers a controlled performance and makes you believe in his righteousness, while Kapoor does a Marathi version of Geet from "Jab We Met". Kher and Mahesh Manjerakar as determined politicians are genuine. Gupte is a cunning-yet-convincing godman but Hussain's Prakash Rao is a funny evil man.
Background score generates thrills but at times is a little too loud to handle. Screenplay is interesting and well crafted as it never fails to create the needed suspense. Dialogues, like mentioned earlier, are dramatic in a few scenes but mostly relatable. Yo Yo Honey Singh's end credit song "Aata Majhi Satakli" is the only saving grace in the film's near-average album.
In a nutshell, it's a full-on entertainer and expect it to break a few box offic records.
