Agneepath Review

The basic plotline of 'Agneepath' is known to one and all. However the point where the film really scores (and for that one must acknowledge director Karan Malhotra and producer Karan Johar to think out of the box) is a completely different script that has been written for this Hrithik Roshan affair. When it was being said that only Vijay, Kaancha and Maandwa remained from the Mukul S. Anand's version, that was indeed true because this is an entirely different film in the offering.

This is the reason why you nod in agreement when Kaancha (Sanjay Dutt) arrives really early in the scene and his menacing ways are detailed to the audience. The sequence of events that follow, right till the time (child) Vijay reaches out to Rauf Lala (Rishi Kapoor) to induct him into his gang; you are completely hooked to the proceedings. Master Deenanath's (Chetan Pandit) gory killing, Rauf's disgusting profession (he is a pimp in the film), his meeting with Dutt where he ridicules him, Vijay killing the cop and then finding refuge at Rauf's place - all such sequences are truly wonderful.

However there is a hitch. Priyanka Chopra's character in Vijay's story is a big speed breaker as one actually wants to see is more of power games played by Vijay who uses Rauf and Kaancha for his own benefits. The songs just come across as unwelcome guests but thankfully the film starts peaking again with the sequences leading to wedding of Rauf's son. Of course all of it is predictable as one has seen such exact sequences before but still you look forward to an engaging second half.

Unfortunately though this is the very point from which the film starts faltering. Frankly, even though you try to keep the comparison factor aside, it is impossible to ignore the earlier 'Agneepath' where the first ever meeting between Amitabh Bachchan and Danny Denzongpa was the best sequence in the film. Here it makes you look at screen with bewilderment because Vijay's treatment at the hands of Kaancha only ends up resulting in an anti-climax of sorts. Pun intended because Katrina Kaif had just gone through her 'Chikni Chameli' act then!

Hrithik's reunion with his sister, the song that follows, his marriage with Priyanka, his meeting with Om Puri - all of this only contributes in extending the film's length and further dilutes the revenge angle. Yes, the climactic sequence still manages to bring 'Agneepath' back on track. Still, you end up asking for more, so much so that when the film actually ends, you wonder what really went amiss in this take of revenge.

The major reason for 'Agneepath' to still turn out to be a film that can be given a watch is it's performances by Rishi Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Hrithik Roshan (in that order). If at all there is a performance which is the most believable of the lot, it is by Kapoor Sr. who goes all out in playing something that he hasn't done in his four decade long career so far. Sanjay is every bit the menacing and disgusting character that he was set out to be and though at times he tends to overdo the loud dialogue delivery, you still go with him till the end.

Hrithik is good though he isn't allowed to go the whole hog. Also, in first half especially, some of his character traits come across as a tad confusing. He is of course reliable as an actor though one can't even dream of comparing him with what Bachchan Sr. had managed in 'Agneepath'. Priyanka has hardly a part to play and the characterisation hardly justifies her presence. Om Puri comes across as a caricature once again after 'Don 2'.

Film's dialogues are plain ordinary as they are not even a patch on what Kader Khan had managed in the earlier 'Agneepath'. Cinematography is quite good though, especially when it comes to Kaancha's setting where one can sense all around evil in the air. Background music is loud though good.

Eventually 'Agneepath' turns out to be a film that starts off well, builds great momentum, has a wonderful interval point but then starts going down in the second half in a big way. So much so that by the time the moment of reckoning arrives, you have been so exhausted with at least 30-40 minutes of extended storytelling that you don't really give out a cry of euphoria when Vijay Deenanath Chauhan eventually emerges victorious.