“Dabangg 2” has come right on the day the world is supposed to end according to Mayan calendar. It didn't end, the world is as bad as before and “Dabangg 2” is as boisterous and larger-than-life as “Dabanng”. Salman Khan comes with another paisa vasool film that will give the year the smooth velvet touch that has given him the megastar boost. Dileep Shukla, the writer who collaborated in the first film with Anurag Kashyap’s brother once again penned the story with better emotional appeal. Arbaaz Khan a.k.a Makkhi Pandey is also the director as the original director has fallen out with the House of Khans.
The movie’s length is a miracle for a Superstar film. In 128 minutes (and this includes the four minute statutory tobacco warning insertions), “Dabangg2” sizzles well especially in the first half. The story takes off just where Chulbul Pandey polishes off Chedhi Singh at Lalbagh after Chedi kills the former’s mother. Now, father Vinod Khanna and Makkhi Arbaaz Khan stay together with Chulbul Pandey (Salman) and Sonakshi. This time, its Kanpur, the Hindi heartland and the new villain is “Baccha Bhaiyya” (Prakash Raj). Chulbul being the eccentric cop with a “Dabangg” attitude, he needles the Baccha party gang of brothers enough to pick up spurs. Friction between Chulbul and Baccha builds upto bloody fights and finally the triumph of the supercop. And of course, lots of queer comedy, Machiavellian punch lines by Chulbul, sweet romance with Sonakshi Sinha and atleast four to five incredulous fights – fights that define the superhero grade in Bollywood. On the whole, a watchable film except for a weaker second half where the climax wears off weak and soon.
Salman Khan is undoubtedly a treat to watch and has to be credited with the hugely successful characterization of Chulbul Pandey as the uber cool, super fit, wisecracking, omnipotent supercop that appeals to the rustics and the metrosexuals in multiplexes. Salman Khan has hit a purple patch in making hit films that are airlifting him into dizzy orbits out of the reach of other Khans and Kapoors. He acts in about three films every year of which most of them are remakes of Tollywood/Kollywood superhits. And then came this homegrown lovable characterization of Robin Hood Pandey of “Dabanng” with a classic three-act model but told with an uncanny appeal intermixed with elements that the Hindi heartland folks go bonkers over. Whether it is twisting the belt buckle around the abodomen or whistling on the streets or dancing in satin shirts sans police uniform in the middle of the road, or giving cavalier repartees to the villains who try to bully you – Salman Khan has created a body language unique and machismo-enhancing of “Dabanng”. It has all the unique elements of a super brand that has entered the second edition so far but valued at the most ever – Rs.180 crores. That’s still a bit closer to what an average Animation movie in Hollywood budgets at but still “Dabanng 2” sizzles most of the time and doesn’t disappoint overall. When it doesn’t is when Prakash Raj looks less menacing because he hasn’t used his original voice, when the fights are too many and too long and when producer Arbaaz Khan tries to kick-ass himself. We have to realize that all homegrown brands eventually come into their own making despite shortcomings in logic, pattern, capabilities and characterization.
“Dabanng 2” also has got some great star cast and solid performances by almost everybody. Vinod Khanna tries to redeem his characterization with some comedy, and then there are junior and senior police colleagues to Chulbul who impress with their comedy timing. Sonakshi Sinha doesn’t dither a bit from her self-contented homemaker looks, her role is neither extra large nor refreshing as in the prequel. “Gabbar Singh” was a successful remake of “Dabanng” but had few scenes which were reportedly bought by the makers of “Dabanng 2”. One was the Anthakshari scene which was a rage in Telugu and the other was a short scene where the policeman asks his wife not to pick up stuff for him because he believes she is not a doormat or a maid servant. As if to answer some of Salman’s strongest critics who label him as a chauvinist, Salman picks this scene straight fromj “Gabbar Singh” but drops the Anthakshari scene of singing with the criminals in Thane. That could have made a difference in second half where entertainment almost falls flat. What redeems is the breezy item song with Kareena Kapoor “Fevicol”. Thats one heck of a number and the “Bodyguard” girl decks it up well.
Music by Sajid-Wajid and BGM by Sandeep Shirodkar are good and suiting the grammar of “Dabanng”. Music played a big part in the first part and here too, the BGM score must be a case study on how to elevate a superhero’s antics into a cult status. Dialogues are the most exceptional since whoever wrote for “The Dirty Picture” or “Gangs of Wasseypur”. Only those who understand Hindi well can make out except for the simple ones like “Kungfu Pandey” etc. Maybe that’s why Prakash Raj who created a laugh riot in “Singham” with his inimitable voice did not dub his own voice. On the whole, Bollywood has got its own brand of franchisees which are surpassing Box-office takings while encashing on the mounting global appeal – “Dhoom”, “Gol Maal” and so on. “Dabangg 2” is a worthy sequel to a delightful homegrown superbrand because it has redefined Box office magic. First time, it was a sensation but this time it left a lot to be desired though, especially in the second half. For that and for the reduction of the villain to being just another piece in the Salman Khan police story from Khadi to shirtless stage in 128 minutes, it deserves 3 out of 5 – but not a point more.
