Title: Singh is KingYear: 2008
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Om Puri, Sonu Sood, Katrina Kaif, Neha Dhupia, Kirron Kher, Ranvir Shorey.
I am so so conflicted in my opinion on this- primarily because I found it awful in parts and really funny in others! Therefore I am simply going to divide it into timelines....
The 1st half hour: Akshay is Happy Singh, a simple, decent guy in what seems like a village of idiots in Punjab. Strangely, the entire village is Sikh and stupid- maybe the director only intended this to be funny, but I couldn't get a laugh out. I am not Sikh and strangely have no close Sikh friends, but when one sees a entire village of idiots, all of 1 community, it DOES feel that that community is being made fun of. Which is how I felt. The 1st song, featuring Akhshay dancing at a villager's wedding was horrible, but my husband tells me this is a fairly typical Punjabi song- that may be, but should the director have assumed that non-Punjabis and non-Sikhs would see the movie, and believe that this song, that sounds very insulting is meant only in fun? I will stop the rant now and attempt to channel my inner Gandhi.
The remaining 2 hours or so: Akhshay is sent to get Lucky (Sonu Sood) back from Australia, where the latter has turned into a gangster. Now that the script has provided the hero with a real mission, the movie becomes well paced, funny and fun. Too many songs, but that I can accept- it is Bollyland.
In his quest to take back a reluctant Lucky, Akshay befriends Kirron, falls in love with her daughter (Katrina) and becomes the romantic rival of Ranvir (it seems to me that this guy is everywhere! He is doing a lot of work, some of it pretty good). He also attempts to convince Lucky's gang, all consisting of Sikhs into leaving the gangster business, and coming back home to Punjab- this is NOT offensive, and a lot of fun
Sporadically through the movie: Once every 20 minutes or so, we get a little insert of a heart-warming-type incident, which is I guess supposed to give us warm fuzzy feelings about humanity, Sikhism or Akshay- take your pick. None of these little scenes lasted more than 5-10 minutes (at max) but bored me to tears just the same.
Applause to: Akshay Kumar, Kirron, Sonu, Ranvir, Neha and Sonu's "gang"- great job all.
Not so much: Not enough Om Puri. And I am still not impressed by Katrina- very very pretty, but cant speak or act- reminds me of Priyanka Chopra in that regard.
And in Conclusion: Not a bad movie, but of course not a classic for the ages (could we even expect it to be?) But wait for the DVD and watch if you have a spare few hours.
I am so so conflicted in my opinion on this- primarily because I found it awful in parts and really funny in others! Therefore I am simply going to divide it into timelines....
The 1st half hour: Akshay is Happy Singh, a simple, decent guy in what seems like a village of idiots in Punjab. Strangely, the entire village is Sikh and stupid- maybe the director only intended this to be funny, but I couldn't get a laugh out. I am not Sikh and strangely have no close Sikh friends, but when one sees a entire village of idiots, all of 1 community, it DOES feel that that community is being made fun of. Which is how I felt. The 1st song, featuring Akhshay dancing at a villager's wedding was horrible, but my husband tells me this is a fairly typical Punjabi song- that may be, but should the director have assumed that non-Punjabis and non-Sikhs would see the movie, and believe that this song, that sounds very insulting is meant only in fun? I will stop the rant now and attempt to channel my inner Gandhi.
The remaining 2 hours or so: Akhshay is sent to get Lucky (Sonu Sood) back from Australia, where the latter has turned into a gangster. Now that the script has provided the hero with a real mission, the movie becomes well paced, funny and fun. Too many songs, but that I can accept- it is Bollyland.
In his quest to take back a reluctant Lucky, Akshay befriends Kirron, falls in love with her daughter (Katrina) and becomes the romantic rival of Ranvir (it seems to me that this guy is everywhere! He is doing a lot of work, some of it pretty good). He also attempts to convince Lucky's gang, all consisting of Sikhs into leaving the gangster business, and coming back home to Punjab- this is NOT offensive, and a lot of fun
Sporadically through the movie: Once every 20 minutes or so, we get a little insert of a heart-warming-type incident, which is I guess supposed to give us warm fuzzy feelings about humanity, Sikhism or Akshay- take your pick. None of these little scenes lasted more than 5-10 minutes (at max) but bored me to tears just the same.
Applause to: Akshay Kumar, Kirron, Sonu, Ranvir, Neha and Sonu's "gang"- great job all.
Not so much: Not enough Om Puri. And I am still not impressed by Katrina- very very pretty, but cant speak or act- reminds me of Priyanka Chopra in that regard.
And in Conclusion: Not a bad movie, but of course not a classic for the ages (could we even expect it to be?) But wait for the DVD and watch if you have a spare few hours.
12 comments:
"attempt to channel my inner Gandhi". rofl! This movie actually brings it out? Not sure I can watch a movie that requires Gandhian charity and patience! lol
Love your banner - Singh is really King, especially with those legs. :-)
Akki's been in a lot of comedies lately. I don't enjoy all of them but he's entertaining. I'm so sick and tired of seeing him and Katrina in films. Gosh, the only reason why this girl is "Number One" is because she's in good films which she does nothing to contribute. Okay, maybe her gorgeous looks but that's all. I don't dislike her but I find her so overrated. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like that about her...and Priyanka Chopra
OHHHH you have made so conflicted! coz what i've seen, it seems very indulgently punjabi which would erupt in a 'Ballle Balle' from me, but everybody's silly pagadis and Akki's silly stick on beard is turning me off! hmmmmmm!
Bollyviewer: I know! While watching the 1st half hour, I had the strongest urge to walk out- but I perserved, and the next 2 hrs did make up for it :D
Nicki: Seriously- I really beleive that EVERYONE in India who is pretty has decided to become an actor and becos business is booming, they are getting jobs :)
Run: Trust me, if you are OK with the 1st 30 mins of the movie, the outfits and makeup wont bug you at all :)
This movie was ri-gosh-darn ridiculous!
Katrina is so gorgeous, seriously but when she opens her mouth, I want to stab her with a letter-opener! She should quit acting and stick to modelling.
Those preachy parts made me yawn and yawn!
And the twist near the end? *facepalm*
I did like Akshay-Om chemistry,the tragic gangster, but that's about it. The movie moved way too fast for a Hindi flick (in mum's terms) and wasn't half as entertaining as Welcome.
Mimi: What is "facepalm"? You really must keep me up with modern terms :D And do tell- are folks bothered about the first part of the movie- and do they feel that a certain community was being ridiculed? I am afraid I may have become too race sensitive being here.
Ah, lol, 'facepalm' would be something like covering your face with your hand as an act of frustration or embarrassment.
The folks here were bothered before the release of the movie. Even in one of the songs where Katrina wears a mini pink skirt....yeah, caused quite an uproar, lol. Akshay Kumar talked to the Sikh community and only then did they ease up a bit.
To quote you:
I am not Sikh and strangely have no close Sikh friends, but when one sees a entire village of idiots, all of 1 community, it DOES feel that that community is being made fun of.
WORD! I may have to talk to one of my Punjabi friends and ask her how she feels ;)
I haven't seen this movie yet,but good post gives me an idea of what to expect IF I decide to see this movie
Agree about Katrina.....there does not seem to be much there except her looks.........highly overrated.
You have a nice blog...Bye
thebollywoodfan - Your fantasy re-cast of Andaz Apna Apna is interesting, I think Kareena as Karisma would work but Raveena is pretty good as a comedienne.. I'm not sure Katrina is that good with comic timing. Like Shweta said, mostly just a pretty face.
Shweta - I saw this recently and I bought into the "little tales of humanity". I didn't weep or anything but some of them were mildly heart-warming. Mostly it was Akshay who made me believe in them. Some of the film was just plain dumb, though.
Bollywoodfan: How about Lara Dutta as Raveena in AAA? THAT woman is pretty + funny, as we have noted in JBJ, and other misc.
Mimi: Ahhh- I get the facepalm now- biut dont get the Katrina-mini issue- so many actors have worn minis in movies...ah well.
Reviewer: Thank you for your comments- keep visitng!
Veracious: I found most of the heart-warming (h-w) scenes with Kirron definitely h-w-ing enough, but not much more than that- on the subject of Kirron- the first time she changes into millionaire-status, the hair and outfit were plan awful - eegh.
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