Movie review: Shootout at Wadala, John Abraham excels in a negative role

Mumbai: The brutal killings portrayed in the prequel of Shootout at Wadala shook every hard hearted movie-goer. Nothing associated with the Lokhandwala shootout, Sanjay Gupta has weaved a fresh encounter plot which Mumbai cops delivered at Wadala in January, 1982 but it isn't that brutal. Uncertainly, Sanjay Gupta's sensitive yet hardcore Shootout wins points on many facets. Be it bringing back the commanding Nayak actor Anil Kapoor as an honest cop, picking up John Abraham into a role which fits him best, reinventing the 80's era with perfect craft or portraying the protagonist sailing over the slaughter game, Sanjay proves his class of direction in the genre.He hits bang from the opening scene and assures that he is here for pure business. With bloodsheds ubiquitously surrounding John Abraham in a Police van he clears his intention that there is more to come.The story unveils in Mumbai, where a college going student Manya Surve (John Abraham) is trapped into a murder and is locked up in a cell. He befriends Sheikh Munir (Tusshar Kapoor) and conspires to escape from custody. Now it's a twisted world outside and Manya wants to curb the city with the help of his newly created gang's terror which is a direct challenge to another active gang which has Dilawar Imtiyaz Haskar (Sonu Sood) and his brother Zubair Imtiyaz Haskar (Manoj Bajpayee).To flush off the entire dirt, we are introduced to Aafaque Bargaan (Anil Kapoor) who is hungry for the flesh of Manya Surve. To put it succinctly, it's a two versus one game leaving Manya battling alone.Mumbai is portrayed vivaciously as a metro where cops and gangsters fight for domination. Though Shootout at Wadala doesn't have that gruesome assassination which was carried in Lokhandwala but you tend to believe despite of the few potholes in it.In old Bollywood Ishtyle, the bullets noise are drowned by the three mesmerizing item songs, in one of which Sunny Leone dims the light over the other danseuses with her over revealing number but all those numbers are uninvited and looks inserted to cover the damage. With viewers frozen in their seats in numb disbelief but just clapping at most of the dialogues (by Milap Zaveri), which are mostly uncouth lingo, you get to know where the vigour lies in. Dialogues here are partially impressive while at most of the time are unwontedly laughable.Intricate care has been taken about every bit of detailing- from clothes, to lighting, to sound, to action scenes. Special mention has to be given about the camera work which is very well implemented. Above all it's a performance oriented flick. Starring John Abraham, what I or any admirer has to agree with is that the actor is best suited for negative roles. Recall Dhoom, Zinda or Race 2, he is mostly praised in these appearances. John reinvents himself and Manya Surve which he plays it better than anybody. He puts his straight forward attitude and his body language speaks more in volumes.Anil Kapoor, the man is command is back, leaving behind his mimic acts in the past and carries a magnetic persona here. His target is clear and he doesn't bat on eyelid while showering bullets over the gangsters or chasing down the baddies in the Mumbai slums.Sonu Sood is great as Dilawar. After his Dabangg appearance, he wins our heart by creating terror.Manoj Bajpai, is effortlessly pleasing. Tusshar Kapoor, the only cast brought forward to this franchisee has done a commendable job. Kapoor does a mature performance compared with his previous ones.Kangana Ranaut doesn't get too much screen space but her uncontrollable lustful chemistry with John claims a certain focus.Ronit Roy and Mahesh Manjrekar playing the supporting role as other cops are equally good. Jackie Shroff is in guest appearance.Music by Anu Malik, Mustafa Zahid, Anand Raj Anand is great. The three item songs are already chartbuster hits, the background score plays a major role in the flick.I'll go with three stars for Shootout at Wadala. You won't find it as appealing as its prequel but Shootout at Wadala has some intelligently crafted performances with a befitting climax.