This Eid Salman Khan wants to do something in the “Dhoom” space but he can’t go all out to embrace evil because he has to polish his off-screen image. When such considerations come into storytelling, the film is bound to go flaccid. Known for his lavish productions, here Sajid Nadiadwala dons the director’s hat and recycles the good old good vs. evil story but despite the presence of four writers, including author Chetan Bhagat, the narrative reeks of a lack of imagination. Despite some high octane chase sequences on the streets of Warsaw, the film appears a wannabe. Kabir Khan did a better job with Salman in a similar space in “Ek Tha Tiger”.
The problem is, the romantic and action tracks don’t assimilate organically, as for the makers Salman’s image is more important than the nuances in the storytelling. It has worked for him in the past and 5000 prints and well-orchestrated hype could do it for him again, but the film marks a sad state of affairs in mainstream Bollywood where crores are spent on the look and the teasers to take the audience for a ride in the name of a star.
Salman plays Devi Singh, a genius who keeps looking for a kick in life. He comes across as a headache to psychiatrist Shaina (Jacqueline Fernandez) but as always his charisma works on the heroine and the galleries alike. After all, he is an entity whose antics strike the heart and not the mind. However, Sajid spends so much time on the romantic track that even the most dedicated of Salman fans will be tested. The icy Jacqueline fails to add emotional heft and ultimately the romance leaves you cold, and the constant repetition of the title makes you sick.
The film gathers pace in the second half when police officer Himanshu Tyagi (Randeep Hooda) goes after Devi, but logic is a casualty in the process. We don’t usually ask for it in a Salman Khan adventure, but when Sajid projects the hunt for Devi/Devil as serious business, expectations rise only to be dashed by limp execution. In fact the promos give more kick than the film. By the time the noble cause behind Devi’s transformation to Devil unfolds, it is too late.
Sajid gives space to supporting actors to blossom and this works in the narrative’s favour. Randeep Hooda proves an interesting counterpoint to Salman as he manages to hold his own against his kicks and Nawaz brings alive the old school villain who chews the scenery and bursts into devious laughter after every punchline. In the presence of actors who are nimble on their feet and spontaneous in their wisecracks, Salman’s acting chops are found out. He seems to be living in the hangover of his success. He has worked on his physique but his performance looks dated in a film that aspires to explore his dark shades but ends up playing the same tune all over again.
