In an 18th century setting, a Naga sadhu in India sets out on a journey across Bundelkhand to seek revenge for an injustice committed in the past. What is his motive and who is he really, forms the rest of the plot. Saif Ali Khan is Gossain, a Naga sadhu out on the prowl, literally, as he goes on a killing spree right from his first scene in 'Laal Kaptaan'. Gossain is hungry for revenge and is on the search for Rehmat Khan (Manav Vij), with whom he has an old score to settle. Rehmat Khan is brutal, slashing throats without a second thought and Gossain is equally bloodthirsty. Director Navdeep Singh, who has earlier helmed critically-acclaimed films like 'Manorama Six Feet Under' and 'NH10', attempts to create a period saga, with revenge as the central theme and an assortment of characters. But sadly, it fails to create the menacing impact it sets out to have. The narrative is too long drawn out and often meanders. Characters and subplots appear and disappear at whim, and some are not coherently etched out. Sonakshi Sinha is seen a cameo, but then you blink for a second, and she’s gone. Laal Kaptaan’s effect at best is sporadic – there are moments that may hook you, even shock you, but there are also too many scenes that are just laborious. With an 18th century setting and an interesting mileu, there was scope to make this an engaging drama, but it’s mostly squandered away. In a period drama, cinematography is one of the key elements, and cinematographer Shanker Raman does pull off some sequences rather well, but again, there are some that go awry. While there are some action sequences that hold your attention, the violence in some scenes is stomach-churning. However, Saif Ali Khan as Gossain, is unflinchingly fierce and intense. His transformation into this historical character of a Naga sadhu, who is wild and unhinged with dreadlocks, kohl-rimmed eyes and an ash-smeared face, is commendable. Saif’s body language and acting prowess makes it a powerful and immersive portrayal. But his look as Gossain is too close to Jack Sparrow of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and that is distracting. Deepak Dobriyal also makes an impact as a crucial, yet, comical character. Manav Vij disappoints, as he mostly hmnnns trying to be brooding, but it falls flat. Zoya Hussain is effective but her role has limited scope. Somewhere, 'Laal Kaptaan' was perhaps attempting to be a Western movie, with horses, dust, guns and the works, but ultimately, a tedious narrative and a very lengthy runtime pull it down.Read more

Saif Ali Khan in Navdeep Singh's Laal Kaptaan is good, but slow storytelling ruins the plot.