Movie Review - Gabbar Singh (Telugu) - A Touch of Class, err, Mass!!

The new "Five Point Someone" in Gabbar Singh style!!

1) eclectic (adj): selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles.

The director synthesized some familiar and not-so-familiar scenes into enticingly enjoyable film. The way he spun a perfect yarn to please "Power Star" fans, who are earnestly waiting for a hit film, is commendable. He found his groove and his muse in Spaghetti Westerns and created the wild wild west aura in the opening scene and the composer complements with western-style guitar strums. Both should be fans of Clint Eastwood and his definitive westerns. Needless to say, anyone coming out of RGV stable pays homage to Sholay and Classic Hollywood. The dialogues for Pawan Kalyan's role of a comical yet powerful police officer are written with utmost care and perfection. Harish Shankar, take a bow.

2) analogous (adj): similar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar.

The film is less of a remake and more of an original. Although the key elements and characters are taken from "Dabbang," the movie went through major metamorphosis. Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Arbaaz Khan and Sonu Sood were four pillars in the original but in the Telugufied version it's only Pawan Kalyan who's donned the role of foundation, pillars, roof and everything else. Excessive emotions, unwanted scenes, love story of Arbaaz (in the original) are curtailed to present a tailor-made platter for Pawan fans that's heavy on witty dialogue and "expect the unexpected" punches. On the flip side, unlike the original version, the hero fails to establish an emotional bond with the audience. 

3) hilarious (adj): characterized by or causing great merriment.

Surprisingly, Ali gets more screen presence than Brahmanandam. Both got well written comic roles and their dialogues shine as always, and there are umpteen references to Pawan's earlier films that add the much needed fun element to the movie. Harish Shankar retained most of the supporting cast of "Mirapakaya" and they surprise with their performances. In the second half, the "Antakshari" scene with mockery of Dr. Rajasekhar (the actor) becomes the nerve center of the film's comedy. Jayaprakash Reddy's cameo, Samba (Ali) writing the punch lines, Brahmandam carrying larger than life cut-out of Pawan Kalyan, etc., are some rib-tickling moments that linger for long time.

4) misfit (n): something that does not fit or fits badly.

Pawan's earlier film and this one had a common problem - the choice of the female leads Sarah Jane Dias (in Panjaa) and Sruthi Hassan (in this film). Both look uber cool as urban lasses but lose their sheen when they drape themselves in half-sarees. Sruthi could not ooze the villagish aura that's required for the role and was a definite misfit. You can't relate her to Sonakshi Sinha who's perfectly fit in the jar of a village belle and can be preserved till eternity. Another misfit is Nagineedu, the villain who's been adored for his towering presence in his earlier films, is given a miniature role. Ohhh my gosh what they expected from Happy Days 'Appu/Gayatri Rao' by making her an oversexed village gal is still indecipherable. 

5) verdict (n): an expressed conclusion; a judgment or opinion.

Power Star's powerful/comical/emotional/entertaining/energetic/enigmatic/playful performance in the title role will be revered till next life. Devi Sri Prasad's music is already on top of the charts and his formulaic use of Baba Sehgal for the title track came out well. The background score is bland and in typical Devi Sri style, the theme and the signature tune were stretched till their death. Watch out for "Pilla" and "Kevvu Keka," I bet you can't hold your feet together. We jumped from our seats and joined loads of dancing gangs in the theatre. The film is a peculiar example of an old wine in a new bottle where you like both the wine and the bottle. Naa anchana prakaaramu ee cinema kona oopiri tho vunna Telugu cine parisramaku oxygen cylinder laantidi. 


The movie trailer says, "He is coming"

I say, "He came, He saw, He conquered!!"

My rating - Expectation: 7/10; Reality: 7/10