BULLETT RAJA - Movie Review

There were 4 questions which sprang up in my head within the first 10 minutes of the runtime of Bullet Raja.

1) Did Tigmanshu Dhulia direct Paan Singh, Haasil, Sahib Biwi aur Gangster?

2) If yes, then was it really Dhulia who directed Bullett Raja?

3) What has Sonakshi Sinha got to do in every film now days? 

4) Why isn't Jimmy Shergil seen in more films and meatier roles?

Bullett Raja is a serious headache. The characters, well you've seen them all. The dialogues, you've heard them all. The set up too is familiar. The script, beyond a point would make you irritable as you'd just watch everyone kill everyone, with logics best suited to the scriptwriter's sense.

The relation between the characters here isn't complex or nowhere near being intriguing, but is plain nonsensical. You cannot sell anything in the name of a film set in Uttar Pradesh’s political backdrop. 

Not that I went along with any expectations from BR but the sole reason of it being a Tigmanshu Dhulia's product had me interested to look out for some surprise element. And yes I was surprised as I found none.

The story is not as much about Saif's and Sonakshi's romance, instead it is about Saif's and Jimmy's bromance! Acceptable. But Saif thinking of Jimmy in a sequence that has him sing love odes to Sonakshi is a bit too much I guess!

The plot has been done to death. Dhulia tries to make his commercial attempt look realistic but he succeeds only partially. The first half has some moments for sure but the opening sequence had an item number of Mahie Gill dancing to don’t touch my BODY and it made me scratch my head off! Even rubbish isn't capable of describing that song.

The premise is established in a haphazard manner with no proper reasoning. Of the second half, all I could comprehend was that everyone was trying to kill Saif for their own merry reasons. Alliances were formed and forged. And amidst all Saif soared. For of course he is the RAJA. 

There is Tamanche pe disco as well. You could see an elephant dance to the tunes of RDB in a red dress along with a Nawab. Rare sight.

Saif, who blew my mind away when he donned the hat of the brutal Langda Tyagi struggles to sail through Bullett Raja. His accent sounds forced, dialogue delivery is pathetic but it is somehow his persona that makes him watchable.

I DO NOT FIND MYSELF COMPETENT ENOUGH TO REVIEW SONKASHI SINHA'S ACTING ABILITIES. DID LOOTERA REALLY HAVE HER PLAYING THE LEAD? WAS IT A DREAM?

Jimmy Shergil is a fantastic actor. He is the only saving grace of Bullett Raja. Come-on! Give him more chances. He is one hell of an actor. From dialogue delivery to nuances, he gets them bang on.

To conclude, it was beyond my understanding as to what made Tigmanshu Dhulia make such a film. To call it even mediocre is an over statement. All I hope is to see Dhulia get back to making what he is good at, gritty hard hitting cinema, Saif getting back to his suave avatar, Jimmy getting more roles and Sonakshi appearing in lesser films. Oh she already has another release lined up for next Friday!

*1.5 STARS*