BOTTOM LINE
Dreadfully Dull
OUR RATING
2/5
CENSOR
‘U/A’Certified, 2 hrs 45 mins
What Is the Film About?
Azaad is a rebellion force which fights against the British to save Indians from their oppression. The head of the British East India Company, John Clive plans to capture rebel leader by sending an infiltrator Firangi (Aamir Khan). What happens when Firangi interacts with rebel leader and how his relationship progresses with the Britishers is what the film is all about?
How Is Aamir Khan’s Performance?
Aamir Khan has played his part with great sincerity and conviction like always. There are a few moments where he goes overboard, but that is alright and can be overlooked. The character is well etched out and written and the act makes it likeable.
Direction by Vijay Krishna Acharya
Thugs Of Hindostan is the third film from director Vijay Krishna Acharya. The first one was a dud, and the second one a blockbuster. But, let’s not get fooled by the blockbuster is all we have to say.
The direction by Vijay Krishna Acharya aka Victor is lacklustre. The problem more than the script is his direction. Victor fails to provide momentum to the proceedings throughout. He executes the scenes with precision and classy aura, but they entirely lack the energy required for a masala moment to work. The action scenes and dialogues fail to leave an impact due to his inept directorial skills. The narrative is outright dull and boring.
What makes Thugs Of Hindostan suffer further is the director allows the predictability to stand out. It sticks out so much that whatever little scope for engagement the movie had is also lost. Two powerhouse talents coming together for the first time deserved a better director.
Thugs Of Hindostan can be shown as a prime example to highlight how difficult it is to get proper elevation ‘felt’ in a masala setting. The handling of commercial masala movie in Indian cinema is an art and not everyone is equipped to handle it even though they may have the right idea.
Overall, Thugs Of Hindostan is neatly made and mounted on a grand scale. But, there is zero soul in it, absolutely zero. It is like a beautiful, but lifeless painting.
Katrina Kaif and Others?
Although Aamir Khan has more screentime and dialogues, it is Amitabh Bachchan who is symbolically the central protagonist. It is after him that the entire film rests. The veteran still has enough of a towering presence to make things work. He is superb in his part, but, sadly it is not a memorable one. Among the two female leads Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Sheik, the former is just a mere prop in the movie appearing in songs. Fatima is actually the pivot regarding the story, but she does not have enough moments to make an impression. The English actors are alright for their parts. They don’t induce a cringe-worthy reaction, though.
Music and Other Departments?
Music by Ajay Atul is a disappointment when heard as a standalone audio. In the movie they are alright. The background score by John Stewart Eduri is good. Technically the movie is superior and well polished. The cinematography is fabulous. The editing is neat but could have been ruthless considering the overall pacing. The visual effects looked tacky in the trailer which isn’t the case in the actual film. They are managed well to not affect the narrative visually. It’s not stunning but not terrible either. The action scenes lack the wow factor.
Highlights?
Grand Production Values
Casting
Few Masala Moments
Drawbacks?
Direction
Predictability
Second Half
Zero Emotional Connect
Alternative Take
It is simple, get a director who can handle larger than life mass movies.
Did I Enjoy It?
Very few parts
Will You Recommend It?
No
Thugs Of Hindostan Review by Siddartha
