Film Review : Bholaa
Bholaa, directed by its hero Ajay Devgan, the Hindi remake of Kaithi, hit screens on March 31st. Dream Warrior Pictures, the original's producers, have co-produced the Hindi project as well.
The film has the essence and the story of the original but with several additions and changes. The story takes place in one night, when Bholaa ( Ajay Devgan), a convict, is released from jail after 10 years, looking forward to meeting his daughter for the first time. But due to unforseen circumstances, he is forced to drive a truck full of cops who have been drugged, to safety.
But on the 2 hour journey, villains are ready to accost the truck and put paid to his plans. There is also a very large stash of drugs, that the villains, are after. Can Bholaa save himself and the cops? Well he ever meet his daughter?
While Ajay Devgan plays the part of the brooding, hard hitting, raw fighter with his usual style, the downside is that too many fighters and villains, keep coming in waves, with Bholaa single handedly attacking them, at some point giving a video game feel to the stunts. Since action is the highlight of the film, this factor takes away your interest after a while.
The way a narrator raves about Bholaa's prowess, takes away from any suspense and gives him a super hero, almost God -like dimesion. Many of the stunts seem like more of the the same after a while. The intermittant 'bholaa' refrain almost feels comical. The vfx leaves a lot to be desired.
The role of Narain in Kaithi has been given to Tabu and she does a fab job of it, packing a punch, with a resolve of steel in the face of danger.
The scenes inside the jail are gripping and Deepak Dobriyal does his best to rise to the occasion as the druggie villain. But constant din and waves of emerging thugs from all sides, don't work in favor of the film.
The, talented Amala Paul in a cameo looks good in the flashback montage song. Raai Laxmi sizzles in an item song.
Ravi Basrur's bgm is loud and in keeping with the film's tone and tenor.
Bholaa does a decent job of sticking to the original story, but the over- the- top stunts and poor vfx are a downer. Watch out for the sequel peek at the end.
However, the epic scale of the film and good performances all round, the added presence of Tabu and a novel storyline, are some of the pluses of the film. Kudos to Dream Warriors for stepping into new territory as a production house.
