‘Shehzada’: a missed shot at remakes

Rohit Dhawan's "Shehzada'' is a remake of the Telugu film ''Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo''. Like most Bollywood adaptations, this film is a more commercial and blockbuster-themed version of the main plot, which is quite generic in this case. 

Released theatrically in February this year, the film arrived on OTT platform Netflix earlier this month and is still trending on #1. The plot revolves around Bantu (played by Kartik Aaryan) who grows up under his father Valmiki's scathing remarks. He later discovers that he was actually exchanged at birth and is the heir to a very influential family, which turns out to be Valmiki's employer. Following a very predictable script, he then moves into their luxurious mansion to safeguard his family from a drug lord's onslaught while assisting them to resolve their internal problems.

The film opens on a very promising note, with great emphasis on the child exchange, and allows viewers to understand the background of the two families in great detail. As the story progresses, however, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep track of everything that has been going on. Instead of adding layers to the main plot, the makers decided to play it safe by adding a little bit of everything and this is where the story loses its charm. From a third wheel romance to strained parental relationships, and dangerous goons, the story has a lot to offer but lacks the time to focus on each nuance properly.

Performance wise, Kartik Aaryan single-handedly makes the plot come to life and his charms help viewers remain hooked to the predictable plot. Kriti Sanon looks spectacular in each frame, but has little to offer to the story. At one point, it almost looks like a forceful inclusion to the cast. There is a small cameo by Rajpal Yadav which could be thoroughly enjoyed for a moment of laughter, but lacks the substance a viewer could have expected. One could particularly mention Ronit Roy as a star performer, with very limited screen time to exhibit his skills. The same applies to Manisha Koirala, who plays his wife in the film. The film relied heavily on the star-studded cast and they did not disappoint playing their parts. 

Shot across several scenic locations, which are too good to be true, the cinematography is top-notch and helps in elevating the plot. The stark differences between the upbringing of the exchanged children were well explored, and helped in laying the foundation for the plot to tread on. Other than that, the songs deserve a special mention, even more for the visual aesthetics they add to the screen.

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Long story short, "Shehzada" could be worth your appeal if watching a fun film is your jam. Despite the sub-par script, the mass entertainer manages to leave a mark simply due to Kartik Aryan's humorous antics, and the second-hand jokes we grew up hearing in Bollywood films.