Movie Review: Bachchhan Panndey
Rating: 2 of 5
Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Kriti Sanon, Arshad Warsi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sanjay Mishra, Pankaj Tripathi.
Director: Farhad Samji
Akshay Kumar’s caricature gangster, Kriti Sanon trying hard to make sense of it all, and a poor Jacqueline Fernandez playing the most haphazard character.
Karthik Subbaraj who wrote and directed the original film Jigarthanda on which this Kumar Starrer is based on, has a sense of capturing the gangsters. The panache, even flipping hair has its own screentime in Subbaraj’s world and no one is allowed to interfere. The Hindi remake forgets the very style that the movie is known for. It is just a montage of interlinking plots and over stuffing the screen with surplus things.
Adapted in Hindi by Sajid Nadiadwala (who makes a funny cameo too) and screenplay enhanced by Sparsh Khetarpal and Farhad Samji is an addition to the list of weak remakes without the essence of the original sold as ‘masala entertainer’. It took three people to adapt this is in itself a surprising part.
Akshay Kumar as Bachchhan Paandey is Akshay Kumar with prosthetics and a confusing dressing style. The actor’s real persona has become so synonymous with his characters, that it over powers them. The forced accent adds more to the dismay. It is the action where the star manages to draw some attention, but it’s just a small part of the movie.
Kriti Sanon tries to make sense of it all. Having done a good job at whatever she is given, her character after point becomes just a medium so Bachchhan can shine (which he doesn’t, so clearly mission failed). Jacqueline Fernandez comes and dies without creating any impact. I wish Farhad Samji someday realises the worth of a female character in a movie and doesn’t sketch them just to uplift his hero or heroes.
Arshad Warsi is a saving grace, can’t lie. The actor with his amazing comic timing and effortless acting manages blow some life. Pankaj Tripathi can turn anything into gold and is the funniest even when playing a caricature.
