- Movie Name:Baadshaho
- Critics Rating: 2 / 5
- Release Date: September 1, 2017
- Director: Milan Luthria
- Genre: Action thriller
Directed by The Dirty Picture fame Milan Lutharia, Baadshaho marks the fourth collaboration between Lutharia and Ajay Devgn, the first being 1999 movie Kachche Dhaage. Besides Devgn, the flick also stars Emraan Hashmi, Sanjay Mishra, Vidyut Jamwal, Ileana D'cruz and Esha Gupta. The National Award-winning actor is back to action with this heist film after 'Shivaay' which was a 2016 box office turkey. The trio of Ajay, Luthria and Hashmi was earlier seen in Once Upon A Time In Mumbai.
Baadshaho Day 2 Box Office Collection:
Baadshaho is basically a run and chase game between sundry security forces involving army and cops and a bunch of miscreants. Set in the aesthetic location of Rajasthan in the year 1973, stories from past and present run parallel in the movie. It starts with gorgeous Ileana playing the role of Rajput princess Geetanjali who now rules the kingdom after her father's demise. Ajay plays Bhawani Singh, the doughty bodygaurd and confidante of Raj pariwar who mouths dialogue like "Zubaan aur jaan ek hi baar di jaa sake hai, aaj se dono thaare". A shrewd politician Sanjeev a lookalike of Sanjay Gandhi (played by Tum Bin fame Priyanshu) is burning with wrath after Geetanjali refuses to entertain him and since then is looking for the avenge. After the proclaimation of emergency, he instructs army to confiscate priceless treasure of the princely family and put princess behind the bars. Bhawani with a two desperadoes who go by fancy names such as Daliya (Emraan Hashmi), Guruji (Sanjay Mishra) along with Sanjana (Esha Gupta) aims at capturing booty from the army.
Though, the story is set in the backdrop of emergency, there is no scenes in the movie which substantiate the critical period apart from few superficial elements like sterilization poster, people in jail. Action, love, deceit has been poorly packaged in this cops and robbers drama which has all the traits of a masala movie. Dialogues and one-liners in the movie are applause-worthy and this is the only things which gives mileage to this passable film. Baadshaho also has an unnecessary item song by Sunny Leone which marks the entry of Emraan Hashmi. First half runs back and forth with couple of highlights from past. You sit patiencely as Luthria introduces you to his various characters. Ajay Devgn to Vidyut Jamwal who essays the role of Major Seher Singh, everyone is presented with the heroic swagger. However, the movie becomes predictable with the interval. You can deduce the climax but witty banter between Emraan and Mishra keeps you seated post-interval. Second half lacks back-bone and is bathed with shoot-outs across the sand-dunes. In what can be said as an artistic attempt, Luthria completely colours the screen with droplets of gold while showing gold being melted. In a similar manner, the whole frame goes grey with dust during a gunbattle sequence.
What disappoints me the most is failure to make use of Ajay Devgn's skills. He is the protagonist just for the name sake as his character lacks the meat. Besides exchanging fist fight with the antagonist he has nothing to do in the two and half hour long movie. The fault lies in the script which underutilises the potential of such a talented actor. It feels good to see Emraan after almost a year. His character of a lawbreaker has devil-may-care attitude and is a womaniser. To get in touch with him, Bhawani sticks posters stating 'Aakhiri Daanv by director Bhawani Singh' in city's red light areas. Emraan's character wears his personality on his t-shirts as it has quotes like 'free love' and 'night special'. Sanjay Mishra as usual is the most effortless actor in the entire casting. He essays the role of a safe-cracker and boasts of most of the one liners. Brawny Seher flaunts his fearlessness with dialogue ''Aankhon mein khatra dekh kar hi chamak aati hai" and as usual a chase sequence has also been filmed to cash in on Vidyut's acrobatic skills. Ladies in the film are not more than mannequines especially Esha Gupta whose presence hardly makes any significant change. Script provides Ileana ample opportunities to protray myriad emotions but she fails to impress.
Baadshaho doesn't lives upto the expectations from the director who has some note-worthy movies such as Once Upon A Time In Mumbai and The Dirty Picture to his credit. The story fades away as soon as one steps out of the hall.
