GABBAR IS BACK

Director: Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi

Writers: A.R. Murugadoss, Rajat Arora

Stars: Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Shruti K. Haasan

Strength: Akshay's performance 

Weakness: Lacklustre performances from supporting artists 

Runtime: 128 minutes

Rating: 2/5

Plot: A grief-stricken man takes the law into his own hands when he begins to kidnap and murder corrupt public servants.

Review: The film has five principal characters - the crusading protagonist Aditya/Gabbar (Akshay Kumar), a lawyer's assistant and the hero's romantic interest Shruti (Shruti Haasan), a lowly but ambitious constable Sadhuram (Sunil Grover), a swaggering CBI officer Kuldeep Pahwa (Jaideep Ahlawat) and a villainous real estate tycoon Digvijay Patil (Suman Talwar).

The hero's disillusionment with the system stems from a tragic personal experience revealed in a flashback featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan in a special appearance. It is, however, difficult to fathom whether Gabbar's subsequent actions are a result of all-consuming anger or overpowering grief, so stoical and stone-faced is the protagonist.

Gabbar Is Back is crammed from end to end with crushing clichés about corruption and its ugly ramifications. So he goes about fixing the leaks by kidnapping dishonest bureaucrats and summarily executing them. The film reminds the audience repeatedly that the protagonist is a villain only by name. By disposition, he is a hero committed to ridding the nation of corruption. His means may be questionable, his mission isn't. So the audience is supposed to egg him on. 

Unfortunately, quite apart from the disturbing fact that the film glorifies a dangerous brand of mobocracy. 

The only saving grace of this film is Akshay Kumar, who not only looks great with a beard, but does try giving a convincing performance in this not at all convincing film. But then he should have chosen better. Don't be fooled by the premise, as this movie doesn't live much live up to the hype it generated. 

Reviewed by S.M. Intisab Shahriyar