Active Stocks
Tue Mar 19 2024 10:41:02
  1. Tata Consultancy Services share price
  2. 4,018.30 -3.05%
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 148.80 -0.53%
  1. NTPC share price
  2. 312.50 -1.47%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,443.50 -0.19%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 414.05 -0.80%
Business News/ Mint-lounge / Features/  Film Review | Bullett Raja
BackBack

Film Review | Bullett Raja

A tedious, half-hearted Uttar Pradesh drama

Saif Ali Khan (left) and Jimmy Shergill are mere vehicles to keep a muddled narrative afloatPremium
Saif Ali Khan (left) and Jimmy Shergill are mere vehicles to keep a muddled narrative afloat

The writing and direction of Tigmanshu Dhulia, in the two sassy Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster films (2011, 2013) and Paan Singh Tomar (2010) recently, usually enforce detailed characterization. In all his films, we have seen hearty and full-bodied characters who are true to the milieu they are set in but who stand out because of their own caprices and development in the story.

His new film Bullett Raja strays far from the work he has built so far. It is a wishy-washy mix of two brazen hinterland heroes’ misadventures, a revenge drama, and a soap-opera style, hackneyed depiction of Uttar Pradesh politics. Dhulia’s dialogues (he has co-written the screenplay and written the dialogues) are insipid, and the humour, perhaps intended to be madcap, borders on the imbecile. The lead characters, Raja (Saif Ali Khan) and Rudra (Jimmy Shergill), are mere vehicles to keep a muddled narrative afloat. They have no signature quirk, as pulp heroes would demand.

View Full Image
Saif Ali Khan and Sonakshi Sinha in a still from the movie Bullett Raja

Khan’s performance is a poor mimic of a Salman Khan staple. He seems sorely mismatched to the role, with awkward body language and speech. There’s nothing memorable about Shergill’s performance either; he seems to have slumbered through the role. After her splendid performance in Lootera, Sinha fits right in, in a lame and replaceable bimbo role. Kissen and Babbar play the only convincing characters in the film.

Technically, the film has some finesse, but nothing, including the stunt direction, editing or cinematography, is dazzling enough to remember. The cardboard montages of Kolkata include Durga idols, trams and, believe it or not, Missionaries of Charity nuns.

The only remotely interesting thing about this film is the gay subtext. Rudra and Raja have some moments together—although that’s not reason enough to watch this klutzy hybrid.

Bullett Raja released in theatres on Friday

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 29 Nov 2013, 02:36 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App