The Art of Patriotism, Punchlines, and Pyrotechnics. : My quick take on Rohit Shetty’s “Singham Again” (theatrical release)
This Diwali, as we celebrate Prabhu Ramchandra’s return to Ayodhya with fireworks, diyas, and sweet overloads, Rohit Shetty has marked his own return from “Circus” exile with a full-blown extravaganza of pyrotechnics and patriotism in Singham Again. Move over, actual firecrackers — Shetty is here to light up the screen with his Cop Universe (CU), where braveheart cops keep popping in for slow-mo cameos and over-the-top punchlines. And why stop there? We even get two new cops in the mix, because, hey, more cops means more slow-mo, right?
With a galaxy of stars queuing up for their grand entrances, Shetty clearly had to distribute screen time as generously as a mithaiwala during Diwali. Each character is introduced with their own slo-mo shots, soundtracks, and dialogues so spicy they might just give you heartburn. Naturally, Apna Bajirao, Ajay Devgn, is glorified every other minute with all the manly bravado one can handle in a single sitting — just in case we forget who’s boss here.
In a surprisingly on-the-nose twist, Shetty parallels the plot with the Ramayana, complete with an ongoing Ram-Leela. It’s a novel touch, really, running myth and masala side-by-side, as if to remind us that these modern-day cops aren’t just heroes; they’re practically divine warriors, with a license to flip cars and drop catchphrases at will. Shetty’s also stretched his stunt creativity to the next level — after all, what’s Diwali without some truly “dhamakedaar” scenes? With the breakneck pace of the movie, you won’t even have time to think; events unfold so quickly, you’ll just find yourself tumbling through scene after scene, much like his flying cars.
The Sri Lankan outdoors add a visual respite between all the chaos, with stunning landscapes thrown in just long enough for us to catch our breath. Performance-wise, the graduates of Shetty’s Cop Universe have delivered as expected: Tiger Shroff’s Kalaripayattu moves are the real highlights, displaying killer choreography that makes up for what his character lacks in dialogue. Deepika Padukone’s “Lady Singham” is channeled in her “Menakshi” avatar from Chennai Express — in this masculine world of machismo, she holds her own decently. Arjun Kapoor as the bearded villain is brooding and menacing… until he opens his mouth. Honestly, a “mute” villain like Bobby Deol in Animal might have suited him better, but Shetty lets him talk — a choice we all live with.
As for the music? Well, there may not be hummable tracks to take home, but Ravi Basrur’s pounding BGM is so loud and persistent, it’s practically another character. You might not remember the songs, but the background score will echo in your ears long after the credits roll.
In the end, Singham Again is peak Rohit Shetty: an unapologetic mix of slow-mo, heroic speeches, and enough explosions to put a firecracker factory to shame. If you’re here for subtlety, you’ll be left in the dust of a dozen flying cars. But if you’re looking for sheer spectacle, Shetty has indeed reclaimed his mojo, proving once again that when it comes to blowing things up and lighting up the screen, he’s the real king of Diwali.
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