New Delhi: Expectations were sky-high as Ajay Devgn returned to the silver screen as the iconic Singham in the third installment of the hit franchise. Directed by blockbuster filmmaker Rohit Shetty, the action-drama film hit full marks in pre-release hype, securing one of the year’s most sought-after release dates. Capturing the attention of cinema lovers, Singham Again took theaters by storm on Friday (November 1, 2024) to capitalise on the Diwali festivities. But is the much-talked-about movie worth your time and money? Here’s what we feel!
First things first: can you imagine a Singham flick without its signature song and Aata Majhi Satakli dialogue? Unfortunately, that’s what you’re in for, which may be disappointing for those who have ardently followed the franchise.
Singham Again opens with Ajay Devgn as DCP Bajirao Singham in Kashmir, battling terrorists. Despite high stakes, the film lacks emotional depth and misses the mark on the nationalism sentiment it attempts to tap into. The 55-year-old actor still carries the persona of Singham but there are moments when things go overboard. At times, it feels like Ajay is trying too hard to recreate the impact he originally delivered back in 2011.
As the ‘God’ of Rohit Shetty’s cop universe, Ajay performs his role well but it feels a bit too late to leave a lasting impression. As the lead of the series, he might have felt responsible for pushing for a tighter script rather than supporting sequels for the sake of it.
The real letdown in Singham Again is the director himself. Rohit Shetty, who also co-produced the film, attempts an Avengers-style setup with a backdrop of Indian mythology. While the intention was ambitious, the execution falls short. After a few minutes, the film begins to feel like an endless sequence of slow-motion entries, which continues until the very end.
In commercial cinema, with some of the biggest names in the industry, sacrifices in script quality are often made to give each star their moment, tailored to fan expectations. Singham Again exemplifies this, with characters appearing as per convenience. One minute they are wreaking havoc and, the next, they vanish, leaving Singham to steal the final spotlight.
Singham Again performances
Ajay delivers a godly version of Singham, while Kareena Kapoor’s performance falls short, lacking emotional connection with the audience. Her portrayal feels casual and uninvolved.
Deepika Padukone as SP Shakti Shetty, aka Lady Singham, is another letdown. Her stint feels over-the-top and, while fans initially clamored for a solo Deepika film upon seeing her character poster, they may have second thoughts after watching this movie.
Akshay Kumar as DCP Veer Sooryavanshi and Tiger Shroff as ACP Satya Bali continue their lackluster Bade Miyan Chote Miyan tide. Their presence raises questions about whether so many stars are necessary, especially if they fail to integrate smoothly into the screenplay.
Ranveer Singh as ACP Sangram ‘Simmba’ Bhalerao and Arjun Kapoor as Danger Lanka are standouts. Arjun captivates as the scary antagonist, bringing genuine tension to certain scenes. Meanwhile, Ranveer’s quirky personality adds a few laughs, garnering fun and entertainment single-handedly.
Singham Again verdict
In the race for Big Box office numbers, filmmakers seem increasingly focused on star-studded cameos and high-budget action sequences at the expense of the story’s soul. Singham Again relies heavily on star power and action but misses the true essence of cinema – emotion. It can make for a decent festive outing given the ensemble cast and Ramayana-inspired theme, but if you’re aiming for a quality film experience, you might want to reconsider.
