Singh Saab The Great by Taran Adarsh!

There's a spate of desi entertainers of late. All starring top league actors and helmed by reputable names. Now Anil Sharma, whose body of work consists of desi entertainers like HUKUMAT, ELAAN-E-JUNG, FARISHTAY, TEHELKA, GADAR - EK PREM KATHA, APNE and VEER, helms yet another big ticket film with a desi angle to it -- SINGH SAAB THE GREAT.

When Anil Sharma joins hands with Sunny Deol -- the jodi has delivered one of the biggest hits of Hindi cinema in GADAR - EK PREM KATHA -- one expects the duo to recreate the epic success in their new outing. Clapworthy dialogue, fiery confrontations, hi-octane drama and of course, Sunny's dhaai kilo ka haath to vanquish the oppressors... the mandatory requirements have to be in place. And SINGH SAAB THE GREAT has it all in trademark Anil Sharma style.

SINGH SAAB THE GREAT narrates the story of Singh Saab [Sunny Deol], an honest Collector, who believes in carrying out his duties diligently. However, the crooked and shady Bhoodev [Prakash Raj] falsely implicates him in a case of bribery and gets him imprisoned. Even though Singh Saab is seething with anger, he decides to settle scores with Bhoodev differently, by bringing about change instead of revenge [badla nahin badlaav]. The ground is set for a confrontation between the honest and corrupt forces…

With not much to look to forward to in the storyline, the challenge lies in making the screenplay captivating and spellbinding and Anil Sharma and writer Shaktimaan attempt to package the film with ingredients that connect instantly with the masses. The character portrayed by Sunny is like any other character we may have witnessed in several films, but when Sunny roars, bashes the villain black and blue or pulls a tree with its roots, it appears bona fide. The larger than life character suits him and Anil Sharma and Shaktimaan make sure they capitalize on this actuality.

Anil Sharma's movies, generally, have an undercurrent of emotions. In fact, his biggest victories have stressed on emotions [his directorial debut SHRADDHANJALI, GADAR and APNE in particular] and SINGH SAAB THE GREAT too maintains an iron grip on emotions and sentiments. Like GADAR, the emotional chord is between the couple [Sunny-Urvashi Rautela] and also between the brother-sister [Sunny-Anjali Abrol] this time. But what weighs the film down is the conflict with the antagonist. It's predictable and one feels that the issue of an honest citizen waging a war against the corrupt has been done to death. Sure, a few confrontations are fiery, especially the one when Sunny and Prakash Raj meet for the first time or the one when Sunny throws Prakash Raj in the fire, but the sting operation and the fight to finish towards the climax tend to get monotonous. Besides, the intimate scenes between Sunny and Urvashi look odd after a point.

SINGH SAAB THE GREAT overstays its welcome by a good 10/15 minutes. A crisp, concise edit would've only facilitated a solid punch. The soundtrack tilts heavily towards the Punjabi flavor, with the theme song staying on your lips. It's full of vigour and vivacity. 'Daaru Bandh Kal Se' [which has surprise cameos by Dharmendra and Bobby Deol] is hummable and gels well in the context of things. Dialogue are sure to be loved by the strata of audience they are targeted at [the masses]. In fact, the single screen audience in particular will relish and applaud the jibes and retorts for certain.

Sunny Deol looks most fitting for the part. Also, the certainty and conviction with which he interprets his character is worthy of note. In addition, like I stated earlier, he looks most apt for roles where he has to illustrate muscle power. The masses should go into raptures as he delivers dynamic dialogue in his distinctive trademark style. Enacting the role of a news reporter, Amrita Rao manages to leave a strong impact, despite the fact that the film belongs to Sunny. Urvashi Rautela looks photogenic and though she's a first-timer, she seems confident in several sequences. Post WANTED and SINGHAM, Prakash Raj seems to be getting typecast in similar roles. Not his fault, but I wish to add that the gifted actor enacts his part with gusto and fervor. He matches Sunny at every step. Anjali Abrol does well.

Johny Lever is as lively as ever. Rajit Kapoor, Sanjay Mishra, Yashpal Sharma and Manoj Pahwa don't get much scope to put across their talent. Shahbaaz Khan appears in a cameo. The kid enacting the part of Sunny's nephew is cute.

On the whole, SINGH SAAB THE GREAT is atypical Sunny Deol film that a section of the audience still enjoys. The clapworthy dialogue, the raw appeal, the undercurrent of emotions and of course, the dhaai kilo ka haath should appeal to those who relish desi fares, especially the single screen audience.

Rating:***1/2

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/549451 

Singh Saab The Great Reviews.

Rating:**

Let's get one thing straight. If you haven't been a fan of Sunny Deol superhits like Ghatak, Ghayal, Gaddar and more, if you don't have his famous dialogues right from dhai kilo ka haath or tareek pe tareek memorized or if you don't like the high-octane raw, brawny action drama then Singh Saab The Great isn't a film for you.
The movie revolves around the morally upright government official Saranjeet Singh (Sunny Deol) who works as a collector in a small town of UP. Being a proponent of good deeds, Saranjeet Singh always stands in the way of corruption and takes on corrupt officials who are plaguing the nation. He goes to all lengths to restore truth and honesty even if it means putting his and his family's life at stake.

Singh Saab The Great Pictures   32 Pictures

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Singh Saab The Great scores purely for rooting for our desi hero. Instead of adapting or being inspired by the Hollywood action flicks, the movie brings back the times of an underdog rising to fight for his, his family and his nation's pride.
There couldn't have been another actor more befitting to this story than Sunny Deol. His comeback to the action mode is brilliant. But the actor fails in emoting romantic sequences as endearingly as he used to in the past. The rust on his acting prowess, owing to the gap that came about, can easily be seen. Having a teenage debutante (Urvashi Rautela) opposite him only makes matters worse for the gap in age makes for a bad cinematic experience.
It's after long that one finds Prakash Raj playing a negative role menacingly and not making it appear like the million others he has played in the formula films of Bollywood. The battle between both Deol and Raj has its gripping moments.
Amrita Rao as a journalist who is chronicling the life of Singh Saab is average at best and doesn't add any value to the story.
SSTG has it all going for it except that the film (treatment-wise) comes a few years delayed for its time. Despite having its moments, there are portions in the film which remind you of '80s cinema. Even the production quality is jaded and gives the film a tripe feeling. Filmmaker Anil Sharma takes a very old school approach in story-telling which is decorated garishly with loud background score and melodramatic sequences.
To sum it up, Singh Saab The Great is a complete single screen film for Sunny Deol fans who are yearning to see him back in action. For the others it's just another masala entertainer.

http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/10910/bollywood.hindi/singh-saab-the-great/4472/review.htm

Singh Saab The Great Rediff Review.

Sunny Deol is reason enough for most of us to watch Singh Saab The Great, writes Paloma Sharma.

It must be understood that Singh Saab The Great is Sunny Deol's comeback vehicle. So if you're not a fan of the dhai kilo ka haath, this film is not for you.

However, if you (much like myself) have the entire tareek pe tareek dialogue memorised, then you will regret missing out on Singh Saab the Great. It was nice to watch a Bollywood film that's not a Hollywood film in disguise, starring an Indian star cast. One can appreciate that the director of the film, Anil Sharma, at least had a vision for his film -- even if it was a confused one. Singh Saab The Great attempts to tell the tale of a collector, who valued his honesty, integrity and pride more than anything else, and the price he had to pay for telling the truth.

The film starts off quite well. Amrita Rao, who plays a pesky, truth-seeking journalist, documents her experiences with Singh Saab (Sunny Deol).

Singh Saab is a social worker of sorts, who is spearheading an Anna Hazare style movement called People's Beat and trying to change things at a grassroot level.

While touring villages in North India, Singh Saab comes to a quaint little hamlet ruled by the ruthless Bhudev, where some dark secrets of Singh Saab's past are buried.

Singh Saab's character finds strong roots in Sardar Shivsingh from Premchand's Sajjanta ka Dand and Deol brings great intensity to the role. However, it becomes a tad awkward to watch him romance his teenage bride Minnie (played by Urvashi Rautela).

Rautela, on her part, does nothing but glance seductively, laugh at her husband's silly attempts to woo her and get mad at him for pretty much everything. She also makes sure she's showing enough back for Deol to kiss every two minutes in the first half of the film. Although she's the motivation behind all of Singh Saab's trials, she gets reduced to a glamourized prop.

Amrita Rao's Hindi heartland accent is downright annoying.

For the first time since Singham, Prakash Raj has shown that evil spark. Although his character Bhudev is very similar to Jaykant Shikre, he brings a different flavour to it. Bhudev is absolutely despicable but you soften up to him when you see his attachment to his daughter.

The first half of Singh Saab the Great is enjoyable but overshadowed by the loud, sometimes nonsensical music. The other half is unnecessarily gory and overshadowed by even louder and more nonsensical music.

Although I appreciate that the makers of Singh Saab the Great tried to make a socially conscious and relevant film, they got pulled into giving a sermon instead.

Singh Saab the Great's tragic flaw is that it preaches against crimes that stem out of the two things out of which its morals stem -- religion and patriarchy.

On one hand, Singh Saab beats the living daylights out of villains who adulterate food, and on the other, he tells a man who was about to disfigure a girl's face with acid to woo her with love if he truly loves her. So your friendly neighbourhood acid attacker goes scot free.

Meanwhile, Singh Saab who slaps Bhudev for suggesting that Singh Saab's sister, Guddi/Simar, go into prostitution, Singh Saab has no issues dancing with (and how I hate to use the word) an item girl to a song with lyrics that go something like 'khaike palang tod paan tune le li meri jaan'.

But it's not over yet.

Brace yourselves for a long-ish soliloquy about religion and righteousness as the hero slays the villain.

Singh Saab the Great has its moments. But more importantly, it has Sunny Deol and that is reason enough for most of us to watch this film.

Rediff Rating: **

Actual Review

Singh Saab The Great Movie Review from NDTV!

Rating: ***1/2

Cast:Sunny Deol, Urvashi Rautela, Amrita Rao and Prakash Raj
Director: Anil Sharma 

SPOILERS ALERT

There is something to be said about that 'dhaai kilo ka haath' which Sunny Deol patented in well-made action films like Ghatak, Ghayal and Gadar - Ek Prem Katha. Lately, his career was eclipsed by wrong choices. Maybe, the 'haath' (hand) was not in the right place.

Back in form with a bang in Singh Saab The Great, Sunny delivers a wallop. Looking every inch the Sardar in-charge, he furnishes the film with a flair that is quite engaging. No, he doesn't wrench off a hand-pump to thrash the goon. But yes, he does turn a static jeep from back to the front with his bare hands.

And guess what? He looks every bit convincing doing the heroic hijinks in a country certainly not meant for the weak and the infirm.

When we first meet Singh Saab (The Great) in this non-stop actioner, we are told by his on-screen aides that Singh has formed a political party called Aam People's Party. Now, if that reminds you of a certain Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, then I am sure the resemblance is not coincidental.

God knows, we do need a change in governance and in the rampant corruption in the country. Anil Sharma's over-zealous though never-misplaced passion to put across Sunny in a messianic mould works to a large extent. The film is an old-fashioned, very simply written morality tale between an idealistic hero and a villain who rules a backwater town with an arrogant ruthlessness that romances decadence and debauchery.

What works well for the film are the powerfully executed confrontational sequences between Sunny and the arch-villain Prakash Raj. While Sunny shows exemplary control in the inherently melodramatic milieu, Prakash Raj tries a variation on his stereotypical villainy. He comes up with a character who's a Bihari goon who can at the drop of a hat, break into a song and dance while executing the sleaziest of deeds and dialogues.

God knows, we need a bit of humour in the decadence.

It's a murky world of compromised morals out there made bearable by larger-than-life heroes who know they are up against impossible odds, and yet find a kind of subverted comfort in making their unbelievable hero-giri credible by dint of their powerful screen images.

Sunny Deol has that kind of a presence. While romancing the mean, he is also capable of infusing moments of goofy tenderness in his scenes with his screen wife, played by a pretty and reasonably watchable debutante Urvashi Rautela. Their glaring age difference is also brought to chuckling notice by a script whose USP is its determination to not act over-clever while executing an old-fashioned revenge tale.

Amrita Rao struggles to give substance to an under-written role of the narrator and journalist who seems to have only one assignment, to trail Singh Saab (The Great) through his crusade against corruption. Clearly, she's ready to fall in love with the Missionary Man, if only the script would allow her.

You've seen the noble bureaucratic hero in different uniforms,take on the corrupt villain in numerous films. What works in Singh Saab The Great is the way the action scenes flow in motions of choreographed contemplation. Action directors Tinu Verma and Kanal Kannan lend a rigour to the narrative.

While the plot tends to sag under the weight of italicized cliches, the twists and turns are negotiated by the technicians with ample aplomb. The sound design is deliberately exaggerated and meant to manipulate moments of machismo. S Gopinath's cinematography captures the feverish flourish of men on a rampage with gusto. The art director makes innovative use of rusty-brown colours that lend a bronzed hue to the brawn festival.

It would be the easiest thing in the world to dismiss Sunny's pronounced heroism as archaic and 'loud'.But don't be hasty in your judgement.

Anil Sharma and Sunny Deol's combustive force earlier yielded the powerful Gadar - Ek Prem Katha. This time they aspire to the same level of dramatic velocity, and succeed to an extent.

There is a virility and fluency to the storytelling. Singh Saab The Great is a homage to the cinema of the 1980s when Sunny was the daredevil determined to bring on a social reform. Somewhere, that hero lost his way. It's good to have him back.

http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/singh-saab-the-great-movie-review-897?fb