Bullet Raja Reviews from Times of India!

Bullett Raja, Delivery Man: The zoOm review show

Trailer

Saamne Hai Savera

Tamanche Pe Disco

Photogallery

Story: Simple Raja Mishra turns into deadly Bullett Raja - who goes bang and who whimpers?

Review: Straight up, Bullett Raja (BR) is zany and funny, an Uttar Pradesh take on Sholay's Jai and Veeru, 'twice-born' in Lucknow as Raja Mishra (Khan) and Rudra Pratap (Shergill). Educated Raja and Rudra are reluctant gangsters, turned by violent, caste-ridden UP politics into what political advisor Srivastava (who Skypes from jail) calls "political commandos." These 'commandos' work at the command of minister Ram Babu Shukla (Babbar), finishing his enemies and finessing his friends. But there's a big bang when Raja and Rudra meet Bajaj (Grover), powerful financier who's rude to the dynamite duo - and gets kidnapped by them. Revenge follows with conspiracies, lots more bang-bang and some LOL jokes.

Hence, opponents are shot during a 'Bak the Talk' shoot, gangster Sumer Yadav (Ravi Kishan, in good form) is told, "Aap jail ke superstar hain, fan following toh hogi", Raja tells girlfriend Mitali (Sinha) how he prefers 'noose' and 'jaanwaron ka channel' to serials - and says 'I love you' in a precious scene. All along, the bang-bang cascades and ace cop Arun Singh (Jamwal) is dispatched to kill Raja.

BR scores with its tight performances, Saif terrific with his clenched-jaw comedy, Shergill intense and growlingly funny, Jamwal's flying kicks and wavy hair making the landscape even hotter. Sonakshi's pleasant if unsurprising while Babbar and Grover infuse their roles with oily, kachori-like spice. UP comes alive too as Bullett Raja leaps from Gomti to gaus, sex to sex pistols, Hollywood to Hazratganj, its imagery somewhere between Omkara and Dabangg.

Where the film misses a bulls-eye is an excess 20 minutes, music that, despite Tamanche Pe Disco, remains average and direction that sometimes - don't miss the guy flagellating himself as Saif makes a momentous decision - wavers. Still, BR is a racy ride, cynical, yet sweet, dark, yet bright. Go watch - you'll enjoy those bangs in the dark.

Note: You may not like this film if you avoid violent political tales.

Rating:***1/2

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/bullett-raja/movie-review/26534040.cms

Bullet Raja Review Rediff!

Rating:1/2

Bullett Raja is more ego trip than cinema, according to Paloma Sharma.In order to enjoy Bullett Raja, it is important to remember that this is not cinema -- it is simply an ego trip. 

Unless you can relate to the characters, Bullet Raja will bore you to death. 

Saif Ali Khan stars as Raja Mishra (pronounced: Miss-raa), a well-meaning yet trigger-happy local boy with a fiery temper. 

Raja is being chased by goons when he sees a wedding procession and joins it in order to escape. The wedding procession turns out to be headed for the local strongman's daughter's wedding.

Raja immediately befriends the bride's cousin, Rudra Tripathi (Jimmy Shergill).

After a day of dancing, leeching and drinking, Raja sneaks into the forest for some sexytime with the unnamed item girl (Mahie Gill) when he overhears a plan to assassinate his new BFF and the rest of his family. 

Raja decides to pick up arms for protection but unbeknownst to him, this decision gets him sucked into the dark, murky world of Uttar Pradesh politics. 

Saif Ali Khan's Raja Mishra is the less sophisticated country cousin of Agent Vinod. Aside from the diction and the tikka, they're both basically the same guy. All that Khan does in the film is look angry. 

Even his hair has more range than him.

Between him and Jimmy Shergill, the latter seems to be the more seasoned actor. Shergill's Rudra Tripathi is the right blend of slick and believable. 

Sonakshi Sinha is back to being the typical middle class, homely Bengali girl with big dreams -- dreams which she gives up at the drop of a hat to run away with her beloved Raja.

Ravi Kishan was handed an amazingly interesting character but unfortunately, the film chose to not explore its potential.

Also, it must be noted that the true star of the film is not Saif Ali Khan but Vidyut Jamwal despite him appearing only in the last half hour or so of the film.

Bullett Raja claims to be an action flick but despite the desi guttas firing almost non-stop throughout the film, Jamwal is the only one who can pull off the tough guy act with ease.

The soundtrack is mediocre and the background score inappropriate at times, almost in contrast with the emotions that the actors are trying to portray.

Bullett Raja is rife with predictable scenes, bad editing and a lack of control over the script, which spirals into an unending loop of absurdity. The pseudo-patriotism blends into personal enmity with the corrupt without much warning, leaving the viewers confused. 

While no two people can like the same kind of films or even agree on the definition of a good film, it is difficult to judge if even hardcore Saif Ali Khan fans should go for this one.

Bullet Raja Review Taran Adarsh!

Rating:****

In this fast-changing scenario, a majority of stars as well as film-makers are experimenting with characters/plots they haven't embarked upon earlier. Trudging around the unexplored trail seems to be the new mantra for the dream merchants. Spanking new combinations are getting formed. Innovative and ground-breaking concepts are being attempted. The intention is to offer wide-ranging, all-encompassing entertainment to the up to date, insightful viewer. Reaching out to the pan-India audience and magnetizing the Indian diaspora globally also appears to be the objective.

Post SHAGIRD [which was disregarded by cineastes, despite strong merits!], PAAN SINGH TOMAR and SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER franchise, Tigmanshu Dhulia has shaped an indelible impression on the viewer's psyche. Consequently, Tigmanshu's cinema is now anticipated with gusto and zeal by movie aficionados and enthusiasts. However, what raises eyebrows -- and logically so -- is Tigmanshu's teaming with mainstream actors [Saif Ali Khan, Sonakshi Sinha] in his new outing. Furthermore, the gifted director goes all 'commercial' to entice that fragment of audience [masses] that enormously add to the big booty. 

The promos of BULLETT RAJA compel you to visualize that this is yet another gangster film with hi-octane drama and power-packed dialogues designed for the masses. The question is, is it one? If true, can Tigmanshu pull it off? Besides, is BULLETT RAJA Tigmanshu's big ticket break? 

BULLETT RAJA narrates the story of Raja Mishra [Saif Ali Khan], a commoner, who gets transformed into a notorious, care-a-damn attitude gangster. A faithful friend and a loyal lover, living life on his own terms, setting his own rules, commanding respect and fearing no one, Raja, in his true inimitable style, takes on the system that creates people like him. 

BULLETT RAJA takes you back to the cinema of yore. A commoner revolts against the system and sets his own rules, shaking the law makers and entrepreneurs in the process. As he gets more and more commanding and authoritative, the powers that be decide on clipping his wings... and eliminate him. Like several films made in 1980s and 1990s, BULLETT RAJA talks of a commoner who revolts against the very system he once devotedly followed. This is Tigmanshu's take on camaraderie, matters of the heart and sacrifice. 

Tigmanshu's cinema has often existed in the pragmatic zone, besides being entrenched in the heartland/interiors, and BULLETT RAJA is no exception. It's raw, unrefined and harsh, much like Tigmanshu's earlier endeavors. Sure, the protagonist may bring back memories of the characters we've watched over and over again on the big screen, but the fact remains that everything happens for a legitimate, justifiable reason here. Notwithstanding the oft-repeated premise, the screenplay has ample twists and turns and leaves you wondering, what's gonna happen next? In fact, the games people play -- not just the politicians -- only envelopes you into the proceedings. The icing on the cake is the twist towards the penultimate moments. 

BULLETT RAJA also works thanks to the dialogue [brilliant; also penned by Tigmanshu] and of course, the casting. Saif has often stolen the thunder from his contemporaries in varied films [recall OMKARA] and the actor, known for stylish, metro-centric characters, is sure to surprise you yet again. More on that later! 

Hiccups? The film stagnates after a brilliant start. The portions in Mumbai and the song that ensues ['Tamanche Pe Disco'] is a put-off. Also, while the songs match the tone of the film, the soundtrack is plain ordinary. 

Technically, this is amongst Tigmanshu's polished and genteel efforts. The background score is effectual, enhancing the drama at key points. Action sequences are realistic. Thankfully, there are no South-style stunts here! 

Saif slips into the unconventional zone without a glitch. The actor delivers an unblemished performance, dominating every scene he appears in. He seems to have worked hard on getting the diction right, while the body language is impeccable as well. It's a seamless leap to look the character. Jimmy Sheirgill is admirable, essaying his part with absolute understanding. The bonding between Saif and Jimmy is simply splendid. Sonakshi Sinha is charismatic and does very well in the required space. 

BULLETT RAJA is embellished with an exceptional supporting cast and each of them adjoin immense credibility to their respective characters. Vidyut Jammwal is luminous in a cameo. He adds solid muscle to the post-interval portions. Raj Babbar plays the scheming politician with incredible ease. Gulshan Grover is first-rate. Ravi Kissen is in terrific form, enacting the negative part with gusto. Chunkey Pandey leaves an impression in a brief role. Vipin Sharma is super. Deepraj Rana, Vishwajeet Pradhan and Sharat Saxena are perfect. Mahie Gill sizzles in the song and sequence. 

On the whole, BULLETT RAJA is Tigmanshu Dhulia's most 'commercial', mass appealing film thus far. One more superior endeavor after the immeasurably acknowledged PAAN SINGH TOMAR and the vastly admired SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER franchise, all of which belong to completely diverse genres of cinema. Enjoyable, engaging and extremely distinctive, BULLETT RAJA is not to be missed!

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/566240

Bullet Raja Review Nowrunning!

Rating:**

Potboilers seem to have become the need of the hour in Bollywood with even the makers, who have stuck to content driven cinema, trying their hands at experiencing what it feels to be in the 100cr club. The latest to hit the marquee is filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia with Bullett Raja, who for long has carved his own path with films like Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, Paan Singh Tomar etc. Whether his sensibility syncs with commercial cinema or he loses his art for monetary gains, let's find out.

Set in Uttar Pradesh, Bullett Raja is Tigmanshu's version of Ramesh Sippy's Sholay. Both Raja Mishra (Saif Ali Khan and Rudra Pratap (Jimmy Sheirgill) become buddies for life when Raja saves the latter's life in a gang-war. The two want nothing more than a stable-simple life but fate and some conniving politicians turn them into gangsters aka political commandos of politician Ram Babu Shukla (Raj Babbar) who stop at nothing. But their meteoric rise as the dreaded duo starts coming in the way of the industrialists and other politicians soon putting them on the hit list of many. Whether the two survive or not is that follows through the rest of the plot.

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Bullett Raja is nothing but Tigmanshu Dhulia oscillating between content and masala. The maker unspools a complex plot for a massy character what with the surfeit of characters that keep coming in right till the last 15 minutes of the film but at the same time, reduces his concoction to a mere case of convenience. There's ample liberty taken with the creation of characters and situations in the film. 

Almost 80 per cent of the film struggles to match the formulaic patterns of commercial cinema so you see the characters heading to Mumbai city only for a disco number, Tamanche Pe Disco (which too isn't remotely appeasing) or moving to Kolkata to dance between the yellow Taxis. Only if the director could focus on the script more than jazzy-ing his film with numbers which aren't hummable anyway, the film would've worked wonders!

Yet another eye sore is the continuity blunder. You see both Saif and Jimmy with all shapes, styles and sizes of hair throughout the film. So you'd see Saif entering through a door with short hair and exiting with straight, extremely bronzed long hair all within the same scene. You don't need a reviewer to pinpoint such glaring mistakes; it can be noticeable even to a layman.

Coming to acting, both Jimmy and Saif put up a decent show and have some entertaining scenes as friends. Sadly, the faulty character-sketch and directionless direction scars their performances too. Character actors like Raj Babbar, Ravi Kissen, Gulshan Grover, Vipin Sharma are all passable.

The worry zones are both Vidyut Jamwal and Sonakshi Sinha who barely have any contribution in the film and fail to please even at that. It's surprising why would the director introduce a love angle in a film which didn't need one and why Sonakshi would even take up a role which is more inconsequential than even a prop. Vidyut Jamwal on the other hand comes with his martial art skills and the same old straight face which refuses to emote all through his run time.

Bullett Raja had the scope to bring about some content in the current crop of massy entertainers and could cater to the intelligentsia but Tigmanshu Dhulia's inept attempt ruins all such chances. Quite a downer!

http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/11198/bollywood.hindi/bullet-raja/4482/review.htm