BOTTOM LINE
Unbearably Loud And Senseless
OUR RATING
1.5/5
CENSOR
‘UA’ Certified, 2h 16m
What Is the Film About?
Arkeshwara (Upendra) is a law-abiding citizen of a deceased patriot. When his brother is brutally murdered for standing up to the right, Arkeshwara takes the law into his own hands. How a pilot trainee Arkeshwara turns into a dreaded underworld Don in the post-Independence era of India is Kabzaa’s core plot.
While so much drama is happening, Arkeshwara also has a childhood friend turned lover, Madhumati (Shriya). How the two aspects of Arkeshwara’s life collide forms the overall story.
Performances
Upendra, known for his powerful acts, gets a Don role in typical commercial style in Kabzaa. He has the intensity to pull off the action, but the same can’t be said about the rest.
The love story doesn’t work due to Upendra’s age, even though there is age-appropriate casting. Apart from that, there is the issue of styling and attitude. The latter is always there, but it could have been better when it comes to the former.
The larger-than-life persona works despite the hiccups. But, the overall impact necessary for the part is missing due to the technical issues related to the script, direction and editing. Therefore, what could have been a memorable outing turns out to be another act for the Real Star.
Shriya plays Upendra’s love interest. Since it is presented in a mature way age-wise, and also the period set in place, she doesn’t look odd. However, her track does look out of place in the whole gangster drama and action that takes place. The old-world dialogues add to the agony. It takes away any little sheen the part possesses or the way Shriya carries it.
Analysis
R Chandra writes and directs Kabzaa. It is a gangster drama set in post-Independence India with a strong hangover of the blockbuster KGF.
The opening happens on an ordinary note, but we get a hint at the movie’s many problems within those few minutes. The first thing that instantly registers is the dubbing quality. It is terrible. The second thing is the dialogue. The combined effect never lets one be immersed in the world created by the director.
The narrative further highlights the immediately visible issue. Kabazaa is one of the worst movies dubbing-wise in recent years, and it can’t be emphasised enough. It doesn’t allow the momentum to be built even in stretches where something engaging is happening.
Once we aren’t engaged with the proceedings, all sorts of issues with the story and the proceedings come to the fore. The editing, again heavily inspired by KGF movies, is an eyesore. The black fades are overdone. The action cutting from one sequence to other doesn’t add any excitement to the proceeding.
And finally, the story comes across as a mishmash of gangster movies made recently by Prashanth Neel (especially to outsiders). The various gangs, a single location, and a hero rising amidst them, followed by his rise and then threats from internal (police and political) and external forces (mafia heads), are all the elements that are seen recently and etched in people’s minds.
Resuing the same tropes as above, the colour scheme and background score make Kabzaa look like a second-hand embarrassment.
The second half is one long action block (until the end) accompanied by a loud background score. It is the quintessential senseless mass that has become a genre of its own off-late. However, the problem here is the senselessness is so much that it dominates the mass and drowns it. By the time of the climax, one is exhausted. There is an end indicating a sequel soon, but one hardly cares for it at that time and looks for the exit.
Overall, Kabzaa comes with a massive KGF movie hangover in style, making, background score and editing, so much so that it looks like a poor man’s version of it. But, it fails to engage and provide a clean narrative making it difficult to sit through. An easily avoidable fare even for action movie lovers.
Performances by Others Actors
Kiccha Sudeep appears in a brief appearance and is alright. Shiva Rajkumar is seen in a cameo. His introduction is excellently done, but it comes a little too late to have any impact. Murali Sharma is the biggest casualty of the Telugu dubbed Kabzaa. He appears non-sync from the start, and it grows until the end. The rest of the cast has bits and pieces role, and they are adequate as it mostly requires showing the body, standing tall, staring and shouting. Sudha, seen after a long time, is okay.
Music and Other Departments?
Ravi Basrur’s music is highly repetitive. The song’s failure to make an impression doesn’t come as a surprise, but the background score disappoints. It is too loud and bears a strong KGF hangover. The cinematography is decent, even if the resemblances can’t be ignored. The editing, too, follows a visual style that makes Kabzaa look like a clone. The writing is poor from the start and has nothing remarkable anywhere.
Highlights?
Upendra
Cinematography
Drawbacks?
Writing
Messy Narrative
KGF Hangover
BGM
Unnecessary Black Fades
Alternative Take
Revisit KGF movies and Ugramm!
Did I Enjoy It?
No
Will You Recommend It?
No
Kabzaa Movie Review by Mirchi9 |Kabzaa|Kabzaa Review|Kabzaa Telugu Movie Review|
