Don’t expect a creative or modern day cinema from this one. Ek - The Power of One works despite its many drawbacks simply because it is an entertainer. It has good amount of chilling action, a lot of family drama, crude comedy, suspense, Romance, love, betrayal, politics, underworld…yes! That’s right. The film is a masala entertainer.
Nandu (BobbyDeol) was an orphan who had a sharp view and excellent focus got the training from a contract killer (Jackie Shroff) and now a sharp shooter who fetch crores for a killing. Election is approaching and the political parties were in search of a sharp shooter to make a mock murder attempt so that the election can be won on sympathy wave. Nandu been hired for the job. However, just before Nandu fires the bullet some body else’s bullet kill the politician. Police now chase Nandu. He escaped from the scene in a train to Punjab. In the train, he meets an excited youngster, Puran who is returning home after 18 years. The police chasing Nandu fire at him, but accidentally Puran got killed. Nandu proceed to Puran’s family where everybody thought he is Puran. The murder case is now with CBI and the flirting CBI Officer (NanaPatekar) reach to Punjab chasing Nandu. Watch the film to know the full story.
The story is decades old and told zillions of time. Thankfully, the director packaged it with a good wrapper. The starting of the movie was very promising, but sooner we realize that not to expect great things from this masala film. Sangeeth Sivan who directed Kya Kool Hai Hum attempts action and family drama this time. Except to the fault that he didn’t opted for a novel subject the director did a good job in all other departments which made the film an entertainer for one reason or other. Brilliantly shot action scenes and witty dialogues (some brilliant and some crude) are well mixed and the audience is engaged in the onscreen proceedings all the time. However, have to admit that there are some blunders did by the director as well. One sure such disaster is the depiction of ’Hanuman’, the friend of Puran. The character was shown as a joker for some time and a wise on the other. When the writers fit highly emotional dialogues to the character at one point and when the director permitted the character to be a joker in the same scene, the director didn’t do justice to the actor, to the situation and to the audience. Also, wondering the name of the movie which is not attractive and does not match to the product carrying it.
Bobby Deol is brilliant in the movie. He did complete justice to the character assigned to him and lived the character to his best. Good job. Nana Patekar is fully in form. Nana with his natural mannerisms got a comedy filled character, perfected the role and the audience only wish the director give a bit more length to his character. Shreya Saran looks beautiful in the film but the character didn’t demand anything else from her. Kulbushan Kharbanda was ok, but his costumes could have been better. Rest of the cast did an ok job, of course, except the actor who played the friend of Puran who has been failed by the director miserably.
Cinematography of the movie was very good. Some of the shots in the film are simply superb!! The scenes from the past, Scene where birds fly on the sunset etc. are examples that the cinematographer is trying creativity and is successful in the attempt. The camera well captured the action scenes well. The art design was very much amateurish. When we see a wall in an action scene, we can clearly identify the area where the hero will hitthe villain with the wall etc.
Songs were average plus. The Pritam stamp was there only in one song, otherwise the music was ordinary. Background music was better. Choreography was again average to good. Colourful and bright but lack any kind of creativity.
Action scenes were very good. Editor did a good job inmost part of the movie, though there had some areas where a sharp scissor should have been used.
The movie is a good watch for:
Nana Patekar & Bobby Deol Fans.
People who like witty (some crude) dialogues & comedy.
Who don’t mind watching 70s, 80s or even 90s movies again.
Who likes action movies.
The movie is not recommended for:
Who look for modern environment, foreign landscapes, glamour & skin show.
Who look for a new story, young faces, and creativity.
Who try to get some message from a movie from individual scenes or in its totality.
Who think that this movie will get next Oscar if made in hollywood. (Jokes aside, the initial scenes were as good as SDM)
So, if you are looking for a light entertainer for the weekend this film is an option - as a light action filled masala thriller. Nothing more, nothing less.
My rating: 3.25 stars