Salman Khan is synonymous with formulaic Bollywood blockbusters, and one doesn’t expect too sophisticated a plot or performance when one goes to see him at the movies. And yet, this has to be one of Mr. Khan’s most thoughtful performances, notwithstanding the song-and-dance parts sprinkled liberally throughout.
Because this is a story of a once-decorated wrestler from Haryana, whose glory days have come to a sudden halt when personal tragedy strikes and strips his will to fight, and yet at the age of forty, he is determined to shape up and get back into the ring because he knows that in doing so is left his only chance at redemption. This is a story of a winner – and who doesn’t love a winner who has risen up from the ashes, not just to stand up, but to stand up and stand tall, and in fact, tower over his opponents in the face of all the odds.
I personally did not think that it was too far-fetched of Mr. Khan to have played a role ten years junior to his real age, and it is evident that he must have had to practically whip himself into shape to do just that. As a side bar, it is indeed unfortunate that his comments to the press on just this aspect of his preparation for the role were a poor choice of analogy, perhaps even grossly inappropriate, and yet, one has to witness the great will and effort it must have taken to have rendered so stunning a performance that one can’t help but feel sorry for him, all things considered. And I may be gullible, but not so very much as to not have noticed any glaring discrepancies, if there were any. On various counts of acting, directing, and a simple yet powerful story line, I was moved to give it high marks.
Because in the final analysis, not only does the package tug at your heart strings for the themes of love, loyalty, loss, heartbreak, courage, perseverance, relentless optimism, and best of all, a story of reconciliation, it has powerful undertones and themes of social justice and gender equality at its very core. Especially in a land where the girl-child is considered an apology for an offspring, this is a story that celebrates the girl-child, and in doing so, I will wager that it will have a most lasting impact on the hearts and minds of people across the land. Just for this, Mr. Khan and company deserve high accolades.
And while Mr. Khan cannot be deprived of the accolades he has rightfully earned for his performance – and this goes beyond the grueling wrestling and boxing sequences – it must also be noted that Anushka Sharma holds her own with much charm and aplomb.
And last but not least, may I remind my gentle reader that this is a commentary on the merits of the movie and the performances of an entertaining story – and must not be construed to be condoning any other situations of reality that Mr. Khan has been negotiating for more than a decade.
That is a wonderfully written and very thoughtful review – even by your high standards! I had heard about his unfortunate comments. You do an excellent job of acknowledging that, putting it into perspective, and giving credit where credit is due – all while making clear your disapproval of his words. Well done!
Thank you, very kindly! Incidentally, my last nod was referencing the other unfortunate incident that he first found himself in more than a decade ago. Given this newer controversy against the background of his troubled past, I couldn’t help but make reference to it somehow someplace – but hopefully, it did not detract too much from the review of the movie itself.
On Wed, Jul 20, 2016 at 9:49 PM, Smriti "Simmi" D. Isaac wrote:
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I had to look that one up. It seems that he’s had more than his share of trouble. But no, your referencing those things took nothing away from your review of the movie.