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Review: In Dilwale, Shahrukh Khan is crippled by his own talent

Review: In Dilwale, Shahrukh Khan is crippled by his own talent

We expect so much from the star. Wasn't it inevitable that he was going to fall short?
Updated 22 Dec, 2015

There are a lot of cars in Dilwale. For anyone who knows this film is directed by Rohit Shetty, this won't come as a big surprise.

What is disconcerting, though, is the way this car fetish threatens to overpower the rest of the movie, undermining the actual story and almost drawing the viewers’ attention away from the main protagonists. I say almost because such a feat is impossible; actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol have such a strong screen presence that nothing short of a hurricane in the movie theater could possibly take our focus away from them. The screen lights up with their presence, they give depth and meaning to the flimsiest script and never fail to command the audience’s attention.

Kajol in particular is luminous and Shah Rukh proves that he still knows how to hold the audience in the palm of his hand.

Dilwale relies on the lure of the Bollywood's IT couple, SRK-Kajol
Dilwale relies on the lure of the Bollywood's IT couple, SRK-Kajol

In Dilwale, Raj and Meera belong to rival crime families and the tragic cycle of love and revenge they're trapped in becomes the main obstacle to the love affair that their respective younger siblings Ishita and Veer inadvertently strike up.

This is Bollywood after all, not cinema verite, so these coincidences are expected from the first frame. In fact, the entire film wallows in indulgent clichés and nostalgic references to Khan’s most successful films.


SRK fans are always a little disappointed these days because we want to recreate a magic our favourite star is just not interested in making again.


We are shown Raj and Meera’s story in flashback and here is where the edge of intrigue holds the audience’s attention: in the first dream sequence Raj is shot, then there's a sudden betrayal, and then the slow unravelling of the secrets which keep him and Meera apart for 15 years.

Kriti Sanon as Ishita cuts a mostly decorative figure, but Varun Dhawan’s perfect turn as Veer, a ’not the sharpest tool in the box’ younger brother stands out. Veer is one of the highlights of the movie. Varun has the kind of charisma Govinda was once famous for: the ability to play the kind of mischievous charmer that can reduce the fiercest, most bloodthirsty killer/international gold smuggler to 'Tiger bhaiya'. There is also plenty of humour provided by Johnny Lever as Money Bhai and Pankaj Mishra as Oscar Bhai but Boman Irani falls short in both the comedy and villainy departments.

While the script didn't give Kriti Sanon a meaty role, it allowed Varun Dhawan to shine
While the script didn't give Kriti Sanon a meaty role, it allowed Varun Dhawan to shine

While the Shah Rukh –Kajol jodi does its magic the rest of the film falls short because of a weak script, a lot of unnecessary action sequences and a dire lack of editing. What made Chennai Express, Rohit Shetty’s previous outing with Shah Rukh, a lot smoother to watch was the fast-paced action, shorter scenes and a script someone had actually worked on. Like a lot of Bollywood movies these days some of the running gags and much of the main character’s dialogues are passable but there is a lack of continuity with the main story that makes it all seem ad hoc at times.


Just as It would be a mistake to look for a Picasso in a junk yard, if anyone expected a DDLJ sequel they should have waited for Aditya Chopra to direct it.


After watching the brilliant Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, perhaps Bollywood would do well to outsource a few scriptwriting jobs to the likes of Vasay Chaudhry who knows how to keep an audience enthralled.

The songs in Dilwale are perhaps the biggest disappointment. Though the song 'Gerua' is catchy and melodious enough to stay with you after leaving the cinema hall, the way it and the other songs have been picturised has quite rightly been mocked as backdrops from Windows 8, suffering from a complete lack of originality or imagination.

The filming of songs like 'Gerua' (pictured here) lacked imagination
The filming of songs like 'Gerua' (pictured here) lacked imagination

With a talented cast most directors would literally kill for and an awe-inspiring budget combined with every facility known to modern filmmaking, one wonders why Rohit Shetty couldn’t make something better.

The title Dilwale was an obvious ploy to pull in audiences still in love with the Raj and Simran from Dilwale Dulhaniya Ley Jayege. However, just as It would be a mistake to look for a Picasso in a junk yard or order steak at a vegetarian restaurant, if anyone expected a DDLJ sequel they should have waited for Aditya Chopra to direct it. Rohit Shetty is not known for making films with subtlety, depth or emotional nuance, but what he can make seems to please enough people to keep the cash registers ringing.

For all its faults, Dilwale is pulling in the crowds because it’s a great way to pass a few hours, especially if you are a diehard Shah Rukh–Kajol fan. It manages to provide a lot of family-friendly fun and lots of entertainment, but it could have been so much more.

And a special note on Shahrukh Khan: SRK fans are always a little disappointed these days because we want to recreate a magic our favourite star is just not interested in making again. While cinema goers don’t have any particularly high expectations of, let's say, Salman Khan, whose unique presence is usually deemed enough for his fans, Shahrukh is handicapped by his own talent. People just expect more from one of the most talented actors in Bollywood.

Comments

wellwisher Dec 22, 2015 11:51am
Mother India,Mughale Ajham, Shlole could not be created again by their producer/director/stars.How did any one expect DDLJ to be exception.
Recommend
Maheen Dec 22, 2015 11:57am
I think Salman in bajrangi bhaijaan is far better than shahrukh khan in Dilwale....
Recommend
Ahmed USA Dec 22, 2015 12:06pm
Shahrukh, AAmir and Salman Khan's mojo is exceptional, incomparable and inimitable... God bless them and their families...
Recommend
AkhandBharat Dec 22, 2015 12:11pm
Bajirao Mastani is far better than Dilwale. This media only creates hype without knowing about facts & reality.
Recommend
Komal S Dec 22, 2015 12:26pm
Wow Shahrukh Khan is one of the most talented actors! I never heard that before. He has always been an average actor.
Recommend
irfan Dec 22, 2015 12:48pm
Why going in the past to recreate the same things again and again ? Why not try to have some original ideas ? We all know India tries too hard to copy scenes from the Hollywood. BUT their scripts writing is not par with the industry standard either.
Recommend
Truth Serum Dec 22, 2015 01:07pm
It's a boring tasteless film. I wonder if any Dimagwala would ever see pathetic Dilwale.
Recommend
oracle Dec 22, 2015 01:40pm
The movie was excellent entertainment value! Script wise 99% movies are average in India!
Recommend
Waseem Dec 22, 2015 01:53pm
Thanks for this review. Haven't seen the movie yet but I didn't expect much of it hich is now confirmed. One side note: JPNA was a fun movie but brilliant is an exaggeration. The movie had some serious storyline flaws.
Recommend
The Master Dec 22, 2015 03:05pm
Waste of time and money, no story, no good acting, no different, rating 1;10
Recommend
A. A. Dec 22, 2015 03:16pm
My wife saw the movie last night. Says it has been the worst movie she has ever seen in her life. Enough said.
Recommend
Pakistani Dec 22, 2015 03:52pm
Funny that people here are giving bad reviews. My family went and saw it and they loved it. People have different likes and dislikes, please do not impose your views on others. You did not like it. Fair enough.
Recommend
Ijaz Ahmad Hassaan Dec 22, 2015 05:58pm
@Maheen Everyone is best in their own way...we can't make comparison.
Recommend
TANDi Dec 22, 2015 06:13pm
Most Talented... No I dont agree. He is an average lucky actor. Best actors are Irfan, Manoj Bajpai, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Johnny Lever and so many.
Recommend
Sharn Dec 22, 2015 07:03pm
@AkhandBharat I agree
Recommend
Ajay vikram Singh Dec 22, 2015 07:32pm
Few good movies SRK did were - Swades, Chak de India, Paheli, Asoka and Veer Zara. Except Veer zara which was a Yash chopra movie, rest all good movies he did even after not liking them. Just because he was having a back problem and was not possible to do standard commercial movies. Now tell me any good SRK movie? You call Chennai Express or Dilwale some sort of great cinema? I cant even believe...how low our subcontinent can get.
Recommend
Mona Dec 22, 2015 07:33pm
Wonderful review, thanks. I loved the movie. Being an SRK die hard fan I was expecting a lot more, but was still happily satisfied. The direction, story & editing could've been better, but SRK &'Kajol were fab.
Recommend
Bupi Dec 22, 2015 10:34pm
Everything has an end.
Recommend
Himanshu Dec 23, 2015 01:10am
Bajirao Mastani is way better than Dilwale
Recommend
Ady Dec 23, 2015 01:19am
Won't watch it. Worst movie of SRK!!!
Recommend
fahad Dec 23, 2015 01:49am
Don't understand why media is giving soo much importance to Mr Shahrukh kahn his acting is 1 % rest is over re acting. Commercial actor not a real one.
Recommend
Naima Dec 23, 2015 08:57am
Don't like that movie
Recommend
Logic Talker Dec 23, 2015 11:31am
Bajirao Mastani got 9 awards and Dilwale Zero
Recommend
rick Dec 23, 2015 07:28pm
watched DILWALE yesterday such a boring movie guys please save ur money...its veryyy NONSENSE MOVIE
Recommend
Absano Dec 25, 2015 01:31am
Wah! The catchiest, brightest headline of 2015. The movie may be dull, the review and headline don't have to be this mournful. Had been avoiding reading it for the headline so far.
Recommend
Kai Dec 25, 2015 02:34am
Awesome movie ❤️
Recommend
heena Dec 25, 2015 04:02pm
i live in karachi and i have seen many ppl loving dilwale including my family its entertaining film bajrangi bhaijaan and dilwale are diff from each other they are many good points in movie emotional brother scenes between srk and varun
Recommend
Arun Dec 26, 2015 11:39pm
@Ajay vikram Singh I think you never got a chance to watch kal ho na ho, my name is khan, ddlj, devdas. But if evn after watching these film you are saying that he is another average actor then God Bless You!
Recommend
aditta Dec 27, 2015 08:13pm
I saw the movie and found it a well balanced movie. Commet Writers should not be biased. Use your pen or fingers wisely.
Recommend
Piyush Dec 28, 2015 12:18am
Shahrukh is probably a good entertainer at the best. Don't call him talented. If you want to know what talent is, watch Farhan's Bhag Milkha Bhag, Ranveer's Bajirao Mastani, or in classic era Rajesh Khanna's Anand.
Recommend