Krrish

Krrish has been pitched as an Indian superhero. The biggest problem with the film, then, is that the stranger in the mask appears way too late, much after the interval. Most of the time is spent on the build-up to the superhero with Hrithik running, leaping and flying by turns. Yes, there are some wonderfully choreographed action sequences but they seem too little in the long film and they certainly won’t set your pulse racing if you have been feeding on Superman, Batman, Spiderman. A reason why kids—Krrish’s biggest patrons—might feel hugely let down.

Clearly, Rakesh Roshan is not willing to let go of his style. He wants to pack in romance, comedy, emotions, songs, besides a bit of action—to create a one-size-fits-all movie. The stupendous first week collections indicate he might have just got his concoction right but that still can’t compensate for the disappointment. The screenplay has been credited to six people. No wonder, there are way too many plotholes to deserve attention. Initially, I looked at the cheesiness and the juvenilia with indulgence and nostalgia for the old Bollywood thrillers. But it soon started giving way to irritation, more so, with those in-your-face product placements—Tide, Bournvita, Singapore anyone?

Hrithik, expectedly, steals the show. Unlike Salman Khan, those bulging muscles are nicely balanced with a vulnerability and softness of the persona. Priyanka, as the giddy love interest, is made to play silly and cute. The lady, who is being seen as the dark horse for the position of heroine number 1, still has miles to go. She may be confident but the sheer magic and connect with audiences is sorely lacking. Naseer plays the mad scientist, a throwback to the cartoonish villains of old Bollywood. He parodies it, clearly enjoying the inanity. The worst for me was Rekha as the plodding grandmother. She is so supremely cultivated in her chalked streaks of grey and glycerine tears that you feel like teaching her the true meaning of acting natural.

If the USP of the film are the stunts (Tony Ching Siu Tung) and SFX (Mark Kolbe and Craig Mumma), then can we as Indians feel proud? Have we taken over a Hollywood genre? Or are we just another platform for global exchange of cinematic talent?

High Fives

Bollywood
1. Krrish
2. Phir Hera Pheri
3. Fanaa
4. Chup Chup Ke
5. Gangster

Hollywood
1. Click
2. Cars
3. Nacho Libre
4. The Fast and the Furious III
5. Waist Deep

Easy Listening
1. Triniti
2. Bande Part
3. 12 Songs
4. Platinum Collection
5. Nouvella Vague Vol 1

Courtesy: Film Information