AGNEEPATH-FIRST BLOCKBUSTER OF 2012?

The stage is set for the first biggie of 2012. With no significant major release after Don 2 (The multi-starrer Players did release but not many went to see), viewers are dying to watch a full-on masala entertainer staring A-listers and Agneepath rightly fits the bill!

As we all know by now, Agneepath is the remake of the 1990 film of the same name which starred Amitabh Bachchan as the legendary Vijay Dinanath Chauhan. In the remake, it’s Hrithik who’ll essay Amitabh’s role while the role of the villain, Kancha Cheena that was portrayed by Danny Denzongpa in the 1990 film will be done by Sanjay Dutt. Talking of Sanju baba, he looks ferocious in his new bald avatar and there couldn’t have been a better villain for the film. Mithun Chakraborty too starred in the original as the lovable Krishnan Iyer MA. However, in the Agneepath remake, the character has been done away with and a new character, Rauf Lala, has been introduced which is played by Rishi Kapoor. Finally, Hrithik’s love interest is played by Priyanka Chopra which instantly reminds one of her Sweety act in Kaminey.

The first promo of the film was out way back during Eid 2011 and since then, it’s been keenly awaited. One thing is confirmed from the promos – debutant Karan Malhotra knows his job well and has made sure that the revenge saga is grittily but efficiently shot. Action scenes are too good while the film boasts of outstanding cinematography and sets. Music of the film has got thumbs up, especially Chikni Chameli (picturised on Katrina Kaif).

On the flipside, Agneepath is too violent. No wonder all the newspaper ads of the film carry a disclaimer “The film is certified with a U/A. We advise parental guidance due to violence in the film”. Earlier, films like Force and Ghajini were thrashed by many (esp female audiences) for its gory scenes. Will Agneepath also suffer the same? Secondly, the film HAS to be good in order to sustain at the box office. And here’s where my fear lies. Agneepath is basically a revenge saga. The entry of Hrithik and Sanjay has to create a hell lot of impact. Their confrontation towards the finale has to blow the viewers apart! Will the debutant director be able to achieve? And lastly, there are many who have reservations about Hrithik stepping into Big B’s shoes. One of my friends pointed out – Hrithik looks too polished to play someone like VDC. Such comparisons are bound to arise and even SRK had to face it during Don. Will Hrithik be able to impress audiences, even the lovers of old Agneepath?

The advance booking of Agneepath has been phenomenal and is bound to take huge opening at the box office and might surpass the Day 1 collections of the biggest hits of Bollywood. Moreover, since it releases on Thursday, it has the advantage of 4-day weekend. Hence, it has all chances to enter the prestigious ‘100 crore club’. However, audience acceptability is something to look out for and I hope the film makes lot of moolah as well as impresses audiences worldwide!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO WATCH AGNEEPATH AND WHY? DO LET ME KNOW!

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