“Rowdy Rathore” races on the premise that heroes are made by circumstances, not design. That’s how the street-smart Shiva ends up in a town run by garish goons, where homes, humans and hopes are burnt in effigies mocking human rights.
It is an old-fashioned good-versus-evil comedy-action-drama with paisa-vasool written in every frame.
Prabhu Deva (returns as director after Wanted) brings to the table the look and feel of a South Indian film, while setting it in Bihar. Shiva (Akshay Kumar) is a smalltime conman in Mumbai, assisted by S2 (Paresh Ganatra). A BMC bench, hospital beds, postbox, railway clocks, donation box, cab door and a security entry are embellishments in their modest home in a Malad locality. Meanwhile, in Bihar’s Devgarh town, a gang of local goons is readying to kill Assistant Superintendant of Police Vikram Rathore (Akshay again), Shiva’s doppelganger. Shiva hates kids and when he finds himself stuck with a little girl Chinky is when the real ‘story’ unfolds.
Akshay is cast in a double role — one as a cop and the second one as a petty thief — and both the roles are custom-made for the endearing actor. As Shiva, he entertains the masses, whereas as Vikram Rathod, he aims at serious movie lovers. The movie bestows Akshay with abundant opportunity to flaunt each shade of his skill. Sonakshi plays a lovable, charming yet impish character very well. You will see the voluptuous side of Sonakshi in this film and the character she portrays has tremendous mass appeal. Also, the desi girl image suits her impeccably.
According to DNA, Rowdy Rathore has some very well-executed action scenes. There’s no doubting that the fun in these remakes of South films is directly proportional to how many and for long a hero can beat up rogues. To be rolling on the floor laughing would be asking for too much. A lot of the comedy seems forced and Akshay tends to ham too. In terms of acting, two years on and Sonakshi’s Dabangg hangover is still on. She does nothing much except for some deadly pelvic thrusts in the song Dhadang Dhadang. Hers is more of an ornamental role, while Akshay steals the show. The one-liners aren’t supremely impressive, but ASP Rathore’s screen presence is. Sanjay Sankla’s editing screams for attention, so do Akshay’s multi-coloured pants.
Chinta Ta Ta is the best track in the film. Prabhu Deva who has directed the film is also seen playing a small cameo as himself in the song. He decides to give up thieving and do his girl proud but if only life was that easy! His last con is one that cons him out of his thieving wits – Shiva is stranded with a little girl claiming she’s his daughter and he, her Papa, a very mysterious turn in the plot. It becomes even more baffling when he’s chased down by an angry mob of people trying to kill him. The chase is relentless even though the reason is still not quite known at this point in the film. The screenplay is replete with a number of unexpected turns and predictable come backs, but not without some terrific action scenes and brilliant cinematography by Santosh Thundiyil. Thundiyil’s work makes the rural setting of Devigarh come alive with the vibrant hues as does Mumbai’s commotion and chaos.
The thing about “Rowdy Rathore” is it never takes itself seriously. The cop and his double won’t kow-tow to the powers-that-be. Ironically, the film grandly bows its head to the Great Bollywood Formula. The dialogues are bombastic, bordering on the corny, nevertheless fun in their intended ideological inferences.
A profound reverence for every trick in the book of filmic formulas sees the accelerated narration to its breathless finale. Even when the going gets gory, there is a tongue-in-cheek humour in the violence.
It’s not the arrogant aggression of Salman in “Dabangg” or “Wanted”. In “Rowdy Rathore”, Akshay creates a new language of heroic aggression. He is goofy, wonky, clumsy and oafish. He has no respect for the rules of the office. But his character loves doing what he does, because a man has got to do what he has to do, and really someone has to do the dirty job of cleaning up the mess we’ve created.
Metal rods from rickety machines are wrenched out and used to teach the anti-socials a lesson. The ‘ouch’ is never unwelcome. Akshay creates a ‘no wince’ situation.
Whether its wooing a Patna girl (Sonakshi Sinha) all over Mumbai streets and right into a wedding venue, or in the second half, taking on the vile villainy of a self-appointed lord of diabolism named Baapji (Nasser), who is so uncouth, unwashed and unmannered that he is downright funny in his obscene rowdyism.
On the whole, ‘Rowdy Rathore’ is designed to magnetize the masses in hordes. The accurate blend of action, emotions, drama and humor, besides a superlative performance by Akshay Kumar, makes this motion picture an immensely pleasurable and delightful movie watching experience. If you savor typical masaledaar fares, this one should be on your have-to-watch listing for certain. Dhamaal entertainer!