Sooryavanshi – Grand Diwali Dhamaka

As the theatres re-open, Akshay Kumar Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi is all set to bring the viewers back. After a wait of almost 19 months, Sooryavanshi finally gets the theatrical release. The film’s canvas justifies the wait which makers endured and avoided the temptation of an OTT release. Sooryavanshi is by no means a great film but is everything a massy paisa-vasool Bollywood movie needs to be.

Plot –

Sooryavanshi is the third cop drama in Rohit Shetty’s cop universe (as he calls it) and the most expensive one. The plot can be summarised in a couple of lines though.

The core plot of the film extends from 1993 Mumbai blasts and we are told that 1000 kg of RDX was brought in for blasts, out of which only 400 Kg was used. At present 600 Kg is still lying somewhere in India and the sleeper cells are activated now, who are planning an attack using that.

Veer Sooryavanshi (Akshay Kumar), who is an elite officer of the Anti-Terrorism Squad is on a mission to foil the attack. With the help of extended blitzering cameos from other super cops Singham (Ajay Devgan) and Simmba (Ranveer Singh), how Veer Sooryavanshi finally succeeds in his mission to save the city from the doom is what the movie is all about.

A subplot also introduces us with Akshay’s wife Dr Riya (Katrina Kaif), who has issues with Veer putting his duty above family which risked the life of their child once, but thankfully doesn’t ponder too much on that.

What works –

Sooryavanshi with not that novel plot still works on too many fronts. The pace of the film is very swift and it keeps the viewers hooked from the start itself.  The film uses the original clips from 93 blasts, tries to fit in the details, the angle of sleeper cells getting reactivated everything engages the viewers completely.

The film not only touches but emphasizes on Hindu – Muslim harmony with multiple scenes with a message on Hindustan the Musalman, which in a way is need to the hour given the present sentiments. Along with religious harmony, the movie gives a decent dose of patriotism and at Rohit Shetty’s scale and massy treatment it is very effective.

The extended cameos in the climax by widely loved Singham and Simmba add to the star value and provide some clap and whistle worthy moments. All the three macho cops look too good providing the climax a high, which works for the film big time.

The film has high octane action sequences and with the amount of budget at disposal, Rohit Shetty has ensured that the film is shot at grand scale which makes it a treat to watch. Action sequences are well shot, so are the chase sequences, be it on cars or helicopters. And with a super fit Akshay Kumar at the performing end, they look realistic as well.

Even the music, which has 2 songs as the remakes of old ones work. Tip Tip Barsa Pani might be a little underwhelming for some but Aila Re Aila packs all the energy that a film like this needs and actors like Akshay and Ranveer bring to the scenes.

What Doesn’t work –

Sooryavanshi with all its grandeur, still comes across as a film that we might have seen multiple times. Be it the plot, or the sentiments, all are the ones we have seen multiple times, this time they are just grand.

Also for some of the action sequences, it seems like Rohit Shetty has fallen prey to his style and still focusses a bit too much on flying cars and high octane action which obviously was too engaging 10 years back then today.

The dialogues for a movie like Sooryavanshi should have been much more impactful which is not the case here, and they certainly let the movie down.

Performances –

Akshay Kumar as Veer Sooryavanshi lives the role which he has mastered over the years. He looks dashing, intense and super fit and has the aura of a super cop. Katrina looks beautiful and is undoubtedly the perfect fit for the role.

Gulshan Grover and Jackie Shroff are good as usual in their limited roles and so is Javed Jaffery as Veer’s boss. Rest of the cast which includes Kumud Mishra, Sikander Kher, Rajendra Gupta, Nikitan Dheer all support the proceedings ably.

And to add, the most awaited entries for the viewers, Ajay Devgan and Ranveer Singh do the needful once they enter the scene. They look great, have that intimidating presence and provide the thrust to already high octane proceedings. That just signifies what impact stars make to a movie and how can take the proceedings many notches higher.

FFC Verdict – 

Sooryavanshi is the ideal film and is exactly what was needed in times when theatre owners want the viewers to flock to the theatres. Sooryavanshi is engaging, grand, has a message, is very massy coupled with high octane stunts, good music and not to mention 3 of the biggest stars of the present times.

All this, with Rohit Shetty’s hold on the massy subjects and the way he understands the pulse of the masses Sooryavanshi is all that it promises to be. So if you are a fan of Akshay, Ranveer or Ajay, or a fan of Rohit Shetty, or a fan of masala Bollywood, this one might be the one for you.  For us Sooryavanshi is a must watch this festive season.