Film Review: Here's why Bang Bang doesn't get it bang-on
Film: Bang Bang **
Director: Siddharth Anand
Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Danny Denzongpa, Javed Jaffrey and Jimmy Shergill
What it's about: The film begins with Viren Nanda (Jimmy Shergil) who arrives in London to take back wanted criminal Omar (Danny Denzongpa) back to India. However, he gets killed but not before telling Omar that his days are numbered as well. Meanwhile, Omar wants the Kohinoor diamond and wants only an Indian to steal it. Enter Rajveer Nanda (Hrithik Roshan), an international thief who manages to do it, but the deal goes bad and he refuses to part with it. Now he is on the run, and is being chased by the Indian intelligence as well as Omar's men. While on the run, he meets Harleen (Katrina Kaif), a receptionist in a bank who joins him in the chase.
What's good: Hrithik Roshan. Shirtless. Whether he is chopping wood, stitching his wound or simply cooking in some exotic location, he's a treat. He's just as good in a suit and gelled hair too. The role requires him to dance, surf, sail a boat, ride a chopper and even beat up goons while eating parathas - and he does it all with panache. His eyes do as much talking as his biceps. He runs on top of buildings, into speeding cars, off cliffs and buildings, even gets shot at a million times and survives it all. Another superhero film? But why question it? He is in every frame of the film - and that is good enough. Katrina has to match up, and she looks ultra glam too. Always. Whether she is in the shower, or waking up from a drug-induced sleep, the lipstick is intact.
What's not: Right from the moment go, the film gets predictable. And oh-so-filmy, including a loud villain (thank God for Javed Jaffrey). The connection between Viren and Rajveer is exposed right at the start so the motive of the lead protagonist is clear. It ruins the whole premise of Rajveer being an international terrorist. You know exactly who he is and what is his plan. The entire angle of stealing the Kohinoor diamond is exaggerated and unreal. When you're specifying a diamond of that stature, at least throw in an iota of logic too. The writers believe the audience is too dumb to question any of this. The dadi who made you fall in love with her in Vicky Donor gets on your nerves this time. Director Siddharth Anand just didn't know what to do with actors and a budget of this magnitude. The worthwhile parts in the film are the action and the songs - we need to thank the stunt team and the respective choreographers for that. The least expected from Anand was to tell a story right, and he fails there.
What to do: Carry your ipod, put on your ear phones, enjoy the music and simply let your eyes feast on the Greek God on screen.