Bodyguard – Rajni redefined?

From the-flexing-biceps move in the title song, to the jump from train to another train to an overhead bridge; to the way the his boss at “Tiger Securities” introduces his credentials – within the first ten minutes of the movie, there is a sense of cockiness that one has learnt to associate with Rajnikant’s (and now Salman’s) movies. The tone is set for what you expect to be an out and out action film, with action sequences ranging from incredulous to well-choreographed to downright hilarious.

Was it with “Wanted” that Salman learnt he had a untapped and unexplored Rajni Quotient within him? That combination of cheeky humor, super heroic stuntability (and looks and body that take him beyond Rajni in a way) makes him a big hit with his already mad fan base. So let’s make it clear – irrespective of what I or the critics or Salman (or even Rajnikant thinks) thinks of this film, it is bound to be a hit. The formula works for sure – even if the same formula comes from the same guy not as rarely as Eid ka chaand ;) (Speaking of cockiness).

Is a good film? That’s a new thread all together:

Well, It is not a pathetic film at all - I speak from using that phrase for the other big hit of the year “Ready”. This one has a plot – however ludicrously dependent on creative liberties it may be – it does have a plot that is Bollywood. The problem for me, is that there are 2 (or is it 3) plots and subplots running in parallel.

First of course is the bodyguard plot who is trying to save Kareena Kapoor whose life is in danger for reasons beyond the script writers realm – and in true Scary Movie style, given a choice to run towards danger or safety, the heroine will choose Danger again and again, creating templates for Bodyguard action – who takes it very personally if anyone does him a favour. LOL.

Then there is the love story between Kareena and Salman, which is cute for sure, filled with songs and dance(s). And a unrequired comedy track, a silly friendship/betrayal track, a loyalty and identity track, so on and so forth. The BIG problem is that each of these plot seems to run in silos and the it never comes together as film. The action is too strong to call it a love story, the love story too shallow to pass of as a romantic film. So in the end, after the action sequence in the climax, one wonders why there a new (and forced) Kuch Kuch Hota Hai twist to the film – to drive this to the quintessential “Happy Ending”.

Performances? It’s a Salman film and Kareena is just a bit more than an arm candy. The rest of the cast and acting is incidental. Music? We’ve heard better but not to say this isn’t Impressive – a case in point that Himesh Reshamiya should stick to what he is good at –Composing Music. Shreya Ghoshal and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan lend their voices to the most haunting melody of the year (so far) - Teri Meri Prem Kahani.

To sum it up. It is better than Ready and makes Dabanng look like a great film J. Does that say it all?

2.5 stars