Film Review: 'Tevar' is pure and unapologetic commercial cinema served on a glossy platter

Film: Tevar 
Directed by: Amit Sharma
Starring: Arjun Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Manoj Bajpai, Raj Babbar and Deepti Naval

What it's about:

The film is about a boy from Agra named Pintoo (Arjun Kapoor) who is a self-styled Superman. He is always ready to help anyone in distress, mostly damsels. While on a trip out in Mathura with his friends, he spots Radhika (Sonakshi) being dragged by into a car by Gajender Singh (Manoj Bajpai). His intervention leads to a fight in which he slaps Gajender, not knowing that the man he has hit is the most feared man in the vicinity. Seconds later, there is a rain of bullets on him from Gajender's men and he is forced to flee with Radhika. He then finds out that Radhika is running away from home, as Gajender is forcing her to marry him. What follows next is a cat-and-mouse chase across Agra and Mathura in the midst of which Pintoo and Radhika fall in love. 

What's good:

It is Amit Sharma's first film as a feature film director (he’s made some remarkable ad films earlier – the most notable being the Google commercial) and whatever the fate of the film, it looks like the director is here to stay. He gets all the Bollywood notes right. The story is thin but Sharma keeps you absorbed with his stylish treatment and quick narrative. He understands the limitations of the story so he focuses intricately on the entire ambience and characters. Tevar is a classic example of a not-so-novel story told in the most stylish manner. Added to that, the director displays his finesse in all the clap-tracks, which form the crux of the film. From the glossy songs to the larger-than-life introductions to the power-packed dialogues, Sharma plays to the gallery knowing fully well where he’s going to get the ceetees and the taalis. Sharma’s biggest triumph is his casting – even when it comes to the smallest of characters. That itself makes the film look fresh. For Arjun, this is easily a film that could’ve been his launch pad. You would’ve thought that a film like Tevar and a character like Pintoo could’ve been carried off only by a superstar. But Arjun delivers big time. Tevar establishes his star persona like no other film has done before. Sonakshi Sinha makes a big impression and gets all her nuances right. The ‘Joganiyaa’ song is a perfect showcase of what the actress is capable of (shot wonderfully by Sharma). Manoj Bajpai is an absolute delight. He is mad (watch him making the most unusual proposal in the history of the world) and menacing (even in boxer shorts) in equal doses. Camerawork by Laxman Utekar is simply stunning and perhaps the best in recent times. The dialogues are perfectly in sync with the mood of the film. 

What's not:

The problem with Tevar is that it is a remake of a south film from 2003 and the story, at times, not only seems dated but you can predict almost every scene. The film gets too violent after a point. And though Sharma manages to keep the action real in almost the entire film, one wonders why he had to succumb to the ‘cable action’ in the climax that spoils the fun. A more real, more earthy and more effective climax would’ve made a world of difference. The screenplay, at times, challenges your sensibilities and that’s sacrilege coming from a new-age director. 

What to do:

Tevar is pure and unapologetic commercial cinema served on a glossy platter. If that’s your cup of tea, this one is a treat.