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By Taran Adarsh, August 7, 2008 -
12:54 IST
 Just
a word of caution before you watch this film: SINGH
IS KINNG is not for the intellectuals or those
pretending to be one. It's not for the hard-nosed
critics either.
Now read on…
Vipul Shah. Anees Bazmee. Akshay Kumar. Katrina
Kaif. Four names for whom success has become a
habit. That makes SINGH IS KINNG the most awaited
movie of the season. Must add, the wait was worth
it!
You know the rules when you watch a hardcore
entertainer: Just don't look for logic. If you do,
too bad for you, for you would never enjoy a film of
this genre and more specifically, SINGH IS KINNG.
Anees Bazmee's films are very high on entertainment.
The plotline may be paper-thin, perhaps ludicrous
and farcical, but when did Bazmee ever promise a
SCHINDLER'S LIST or a SAVING PRIVATE RYAN? SINGH IS
KINNG works because it delivers what it promises:
Full on entertainment!
Bazmee has the knack of making immensely watchable
fares that cater to the aam junta. SINGH IS KINNG
isn't a laughathon in entirety. Comedy, romance,
action and drama, everything is well synchronised in
those 2.10 hours here.
But, wait, SINGH IS KINNG isn't a foolproof product.
It has its share of flaws, the turn of events aren't
captivating at times, but SINGH IS KINNG moves so
fast and packs in so much, there's no time to think
or analyze.
The final word? SINGH IS KINNG is a delicious and
scrumptious pav-bhaji served in the finest cutlery.
Your taste buds are sure to relish it... and ask for
more!
 Lakhan
Singh aka Lucky [Sonu Sood] is the King of the
Australian underworld, accompanied by his associates
[played by Javed Jaffrey, Neha Dhupia, Manoj Pahwa,
Yashpal Sharma, Kamal Chopra and Sudhanshu Pande].
Far away, in a small village in Punjab, where Lucky
was born, there exists someone more notorious than
him - Happy Singh [Akshay Kumar].
The village is fed up of Happy's magnanimity, which
has resulted in a number of hilariously disastrous
situations. Out of desperation, they decide to send
him on a long trip [that will keep him out of the
village for a while!] to bring Lucky back to Punjab,
as his despicable deeds were maligning their image
in Australia.
The happy-go-lucky bumpkin, taking his mission a bit
too seriously, embarks on his journey, accompanied
by his friend, Rangeela [Om Puri], who hates Happy
for dragging him into it.
The high point of his journey is his chance meeting
with Sonia [Katrina Kaif], with whom he falls in
love, but upon reaching his destination, things take
a precarious turn as he runs into a series of comic
misadventures, leaving him penniless. He is
fortunate to find warmth and affection in an elderly
lady [Kirron Kher].
In a strange turn of events, an attempt on Lucky's
life is foiled by a well-intentioned Happy, who
fights off the attackers by risking his own life.
Following the altercation, Lucky lands up in
hospital paralyzed and Happy, unexpectedly, finds
the tables turned on him when he is expected to
assume the role of the new King.
 Few
minutes into the film and you know that SINGH IS
KINNG is a lavish spectacle that's high on
entertainment. Sonu Sood chasing a gora assassin at
the very start or minutes later, Akshay chasing a
hen - SINGH IS KINNG starts with gusto.
And Bazmee doesn't let you wear your thinking caps
all through the first hour. From India to Egypt to
Australia, from the comforts of his home in Punjab,
to the humble abode of a woman selling flowers in
Sydney [Kirron Kher], SINGH IS KINNG involves you in
the journey.
And then Akshay becomes the King. Oh, how he becomes
the King is equally hilarious. The sequence at the
hospital [Sonu Sood is diagnosed with a weird
disorder] is simply hilarious. There's a twist in
the tale at the intermission point and the second
hour, therefore, shifts gears - it changes from
kabhi funny, kabhi drama to a prem kahani.
It's smooth sailing till there's another twist
towards the pre-climax [wouldn't like to reveal it,
since it would act as a spoiler]. But, frankly, the
film could've done without this track. The
narrative, thankfully, is back on tracks soon after.
Anees Bazmee has a flair for writing great
entertainers that work big time with the masala-loving
junta. If you've loved NO ENTRY and WELCOME, you'd
love SINGH IS KINNG too. This time, Bazmee shares
the writing credits with Suresh Nair and the duo
come up with some real wacky episodes. In terms of
production design, this is Bazmee's most lavish fare
so far. It's a grandiose product.
Pritam's music is already popular and it compliments
the goings-on completely. 'Bhootni Ke', 'Jee Karda'
and the title track stand out, while 'Teri Ore' is
easy on the nerves. Ben Nott and Sanjay Gupta's
cinematography is top notch.
 Akshay
Kumar takes rapid strides with SINGH IS KINNG. Sure,
you've seen him in comic fares time and again and
perhaps, there might be a doubt, Will he carry it
off yet again? Oh yes, he does! There's no
saturation point as far as this actor is concerned.
He holds your attention in every sequence,
irrespective of how strong the scene is, and that's
the biggest compliment for any actor. SINGH IS KINNG
without Akki is like an ocean without marine life.
Akshay rules!
The camera loves Katrina Kaif and it shows in SINGH
IS KINNG too. She looks bewitching and enacts her
part with tremendous confidence. Kirron Kher is
superb and so is Om Puri. Terrific performances!
They compliment Akki so well. Ranvir Shorey is
first-rate. Sonu Sood is another actor who's finally
getting his due in Hindi films. Javed Jaffrey's
character works big time till he does a somersault
in the pre-climax. Neha Dhupia is engaging. The
nok-jhonk between Sudhanshu Pandey and Yashpal
Sharma is perfect. Manoj Pahwa is good.
On the whole, SINGH IS KINNG lives up to the hype
and hoopla. Want a joyride without taxing your
brains? Board the SINGH IS KINNG wagon. At the
box-office, the film will fetch a hurricane-like
start. The paid previews, the opening weekend, the
first week business, everything will be
record-shattering. Notwithstanding the new
oppositions in the weeks to come, SINGH IS KINNG
will rule the hearts of the aam junta [whose verdict
matters the most] as also the box-office, proving a
record holder in the final tally. Blockbuster Hit!
Rating * * * *
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