“Hey, you want to watch ‘Shehzada’?” She asked me.
“No!!!! I have already seen ‘Ala Vaikuntapuramlo’ and Bollywood can never do a plus on that.” I replied.
“Hmm!!! Ok, It's either that or Varisu?” (A Tamil movie from Vijay, I had been actively avoiding him ever since Beast)
“Khaai aur Kuuan? Chal Shehzada dekhte hain.” (Let's go with the lesser of two evils.)
The title of the review should give away how much of a disappointment this movie was. Simply put, this movie is the answer to the question of what I hate about Bollywood. Before I go all ballistic on this piece of crap, here's a spoiler warning.
SPOILER - I am a little upset by this movie. And would keep the discussion of the plot very minimal.
The movie is a remake of the 2019 Telugu blockbuster ‘Ala Vaikuntapuramlo’ by Trivikiram. A renowned director who is known for his dialogues and direction. I was a fan of his work even before having any understanding of movies. (I still don't have much, But I learned a few things and the amount of work that goes into making a movie)
A remake means you already have a movie at your hand which can be analysed, studied and can be improved. And Bollywood choose not to do any of that instead they managed to make a movie very uninteresting even for the first-time viewer. As for me who has already seen the original in the theatre and experienced the magic of Trivikram dialogues and character interaction this was a ride through the chamber of torture. I was numb by the time movie ended
The movie revolves around the plot where the jealous person swaps the baby at birth so that his son can grow up in a rich house and has a chance to grow up to be a wealthy person and he can treat the baby of his competition in whatever way he deems fit. The plot itself is very old and doesn't excite anyone and what makes the original work is the dialogue and the character interactions and design. The original one was a serious action-drama with comedy sprinkled over. This turned out to be a forced comedy trying to be a drama with constipated actions. Sigh.
I mean.. Dammmmmmn It. Arrrrgh.
While the Actors did try their best to make the movie work the entire thing crumbled because of the changes done. You cannot just cut/ remove a scene that will be referenced again later in the movie. A character who was supposed to be timid/introverted and given almost a cartoonish personality and the villain was just a cardboard cutout. Their justification for acting out would probably be “ Rawwweerr, I am bad. I am villain.. Raawwweeerrr..” (Inuke facepalming himself)
Why have a character you are not going to use and why cut scenes which could have added to the character's depth? I don't know maybe these should be the question the direction team ask themselves.
Another way the movie disappoints is that it fails to copy or elevate the action. The action scene from Ala Vaikuntapuramlo was just stylish. There were smooth and nicely executed. Also the dance choreography and the song selection to appeal the mass. They were massive worldwide hits from crickets to movie stars doing tiktoks on those songs. If you still are not able to understand what I am trying to say, maybe this scene from Ala Vaikuntapuramlo help.
(Context - A damsel in distress needs rescue and a hero steps in. )
[Disclaimer - I don't own this video, All rights are reserved by the Aditya music company, and the production house.]
They attempted to create something like this and give up mid-way.
Overall, The movie was a drag and I had a hard time just sitting and waiting for it to end. I am glad that it's over.
I am inuke
See you around. Cheers...
And special thanks to the IndiaUnited and BeAwesome community.
