Policegiri Review {2/5} & Review Rating
The fight between the virtuous and wicked has been the staple diet of several Indian movies since eons. Although the trend of remaking South Indian films in Hindi was widespread in the 1980s, it got an impetus with films like GHAJINI [2008] and WANTED [2009] in the last decade. Now veteran producer T.P. Aggarwal joins the growing list of film-makers remaking a winning South Indian film. The film in question is the Tamil hit SAAMY, which was subsequently remade in Telugu [LAKSHMI NARASIMHA].
Although a remake, POLICEGIRI brings back memories of DABANGG [Salman Khan] and SINGHAM [Ajay Devgn]. Like the above named films, the protagonist in POLICEGIRI is a cop, delivers thunderous dialogue, bashes up scoundrels like we swat flies and takes on the [corrupt] opponent in the closing stages. No prizes for guessing who wins!
I don't even wish to forewarn my readers about the essence of POLICEGIRI, since, I presume, most of you must've guessed it by now thanks to its high octane promos. Sure, it relies on the tried-tested-trusted recipe from commencement to conclusion, but I do wish to add that the packaging is polished, with a new brand ambassador endorsing this masalathon. But the unfortunate part is, haven't we visited similar themes in the past? What novelty does it offer?
Rudra [Sanjay Dutt] is a tough Deputy Commissioner of Police of a town. His mission is to clean up the town from gangsters and make sure that the public live in peace. Rudra adopts a new policy of adjusting with the local goons so that he can serve the people in an effective way. How he gets even with Nagori [Prakash Raj], a corrupt politician, forms the crux of the story.
Much like the iconic Chulbul Pandey in DABANGG, Rudra in POLICEGIRI is the present-day Robinhood, with a heart of gold. The cop here is *not* pristine white, but grey. He is *not* conscientious either, but accepts bribes and payoffs [of course, he offers an explanation and even produces receipts subsequently!], also calls himself a goon… as a matter of fact, he uses the law to his advantage. But the problem with the film is that it appears more of a collage of skillfully-filmed action sequences than anything else. The premise is archaic and the director relies too heavily on action to take the story forward. In fact, constituents like romance and comedy look forced in the scheme of things.
Director K.S. Ravikumar, who has a plethora of successful films in South, garnishes the film with features that the masses take pleasure in. The conflict between good and evil is riveting too and so is the pacing [rapid], but with not much newness on platter, the film comes across as the usual cop versus politician fight. The soundtrack is strictly okay, with 'Robinhood' [before the climax] having a catchy tune and energetic choreography. Action, one of the high points of the enterprise, is slick and the dash of Southern masala makes it all the more palatable. Dialogue are aimed at the masses and will be greeted with whistles and applause from fans of desi masala movies, especially those delivered by Sanju.
Sanju is absolutely at home in this out-to-please-the-junta character. In addition, it's the kind of role that the fans take to instantly and Sanju plays the game well. The antagonist, enacted by Prakash Raj, is equally buoyant. He tends to go slightly overboard at times, but it's a job well done by this proficient actor. Prachi Desai looks appealing, but doesn't get much to do.
Om Puri goes over the top. Manoj Joshi is as usual. Rajpal Yadav and Rajat Rawail's comedy track doesn't evoke mirth. Ehsaan Khan and Kishori Shahane Vij [as Prachi's parents] get limited scope. Mukesh Tiwari, Raju Mavani and Murli Sharma are passable.
On the whole, POLICEGIRI is aimed at the single screen audience mainly.
