Film: Baaghi
Starring: Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor, Sudheer Babu
Directed by: Sabbir Khan
What's It About:
In the age of sensible, realistic and unconventional cinema, here comes a massy, masala entertainer. Sabbir Khan's Baaghi is a commercial cinema to the core. There is nothing new in the story; and the makers aren't apologetic about it. Baaghi is about a young boy Ronnie (Tiger) who joins a martial arts school headed by his father's friend. During the journey, he encounters Sia (Shraddha) and they fall in love. But there's someone else too who's besotted by the same girl - his teacher's son and ace student of the school, Raghav. When Raghav's attempts to win over Sia fail, he kidnaps her to Bangkok. Now it's up to Ronnie to save her from his clutches. And for that, he will have to face and fight a building full of Raghav's deadly fighters.
Whats Good:
Director Sabbir Khan sticks to the old-school formula of filmmaking when it comes to his storytelling - emotions and dialoguebaazi galore. He takes a new-age stance only where his action is concerned. The love story has its endearing moments but that's mostly due to the inherent charm of the lead performers. But the two main highlights of the film are undoubtedly the film's action and Tiger Shroff. In a tailor-made role for him, Tiger is dynamite on screen. He makes the toughest of stunts look like child's play. Add to that a distinctive charisma and attitude, he is pure star material. He makes it look unique also because none of his contemporaries have ever dabbled in this form of action, and even if they did, they'd be no match as he's set the bar high. Ceetees guaranteed when he beats up a Chinese guy and says, "China ka maal zyaada tikta nahin hai." Shraddha Kapoor has pleasing screen presence. Debut-making Sudheer Babu as the baddie is outstanding.
What's Not:
The screenplay is predictable and leaves behind an incomplete mark as the film progresses. Portions of Ronnie's action sequences are taken straight out of 36 Chambers Of Shaolin and The Karate Kid but they're too hurried and scattered to even register. Secondary characters are sketchy, incoherent and irritating (Sunil Grover and Sanjay Mishra). The music is a major letdown and hampers the pace.
What To Do:
Baaghi is a high-octane masala feast. Watch it for Tiger Shroff - India's best young action hero by far.
Rating: *** (Three stars)
