Movie Review - Dabangg

The Good- Almost everything. There is never a dull moment in the entire movie

The Bad - The opening sequence, it would have been better off as a flashback.

The Marketing - Before I talk about the plot or the technicals or the acting, I think it's more important to talk about the marketing of this movie. Very honestly, I don't think Salman Khan has done anything drastically different from what he has been doing for the last many movies of his. Just that this one has been very smartly positioned and established as a fun and light movie, and somehow Salman's one liners or gimmicks no longer look cheap or vulgar. And every possible effort has been made to connect Salman with his traditional fan base, be it through him donning the 'Gamchcha' or the extras wearing the 'Taqiyah' (traditional Muslim cap). I think what Abhinav Kashyap has done for Salman in this movie is equal (if not more) to what Barjatya did through 'Maine Pyaar Kiya' and 'Hum Aapke Hai Kaun'. Suddenly Salman is no longer the hero of the masses, he is much bigger, a true entertainer who makes light hearted movies for wholesome entertainment of the classes as well.

The Plot - Well, to clear a few things upfront, this movie definitely won't win the Oscar for the plot, but then the makers of the movie never wanted it that way. To the credit of the writers and the screenwriters there is never a dull moment in the entire movie, and I mean it, the ENTIRE movie. At places it does gives you the feeling as if things are running a bit too fast, but then that's the idea, to keep the movie short so as to keep the urbane audience happy with the short and light hearted stuff and give the 'Masala' punch for the audience of the heartlands. One must really give it to the director and the scriptwriter that the very same elements that have been used for time immemorial in Bollywood movies have been used again without the audience even realizing that they are being dished out similar stuff.

The Technicals - I think this is one place where the movie is nothing short of brilliant. Be it in the 'Action Sequences' which do give the impression of being a bit 'Rajnikant-esque' in their execution, or the background score where it seems the director has tried to put in a bit of the Scorsese element in his movie, all of it has been used in the ideal manner without giving the impression that it has been overdone or over the top.

The Acting - Well as I said earlier, what Salman has done in this movie is pretty much similar to what he has been doing for a long time, but somehow he just looks more likable in this one. And how can any review of this movie be complete without a mention of Sonakshi Sinha. I would be the first one to acknowledge that she doesn't pack in the oomph (no pun intended) unlike other current hotties in Bollywood, but there is something about her presence on the screen that makes her a treat to watch.

Verdict - I have never seen a movie twice, not on the big screen atleast, but this one is going to be an exception.

P.S.- It is not as if the entire movie is a light hearted 'leave your brains at home' stuff. There is a bit of political commentary in it as well if you listen closely to Anupam Kher's speech. And those familiar with politics of Uttar Pradesh will find that his character bears uncanny resemblance to Lalji Tandon.