Rohit Shetty had designed, conceptualised and executed SOORYAVANSHI for the big screen. He waited patiently for close to two years for cinemas to reopen, so that moviegoers could watch his newest creation on the big screen. After having watched SOORYAVANSHI, I genuinely feel that the decision to release SOORYAVANSHI in cinemas was the most appropriate decision. Big films are meant for the big screen and SOORYAVANSHI is truly a big ticket entertainer that ought to be enjoyed on the wide screen, in a cinema hall. Come to think of it, there’s a lot riding on SOORYAVANSHI. Big money, yes. But, most importantly, a film like SOORYAVANSHI is sure to boost the morale of an industry that’s already going through its toughest phase due to the pandemic. So let me come to the point right away. SOORYAVANSHI is amongst Rohit Shetty’s best works. Like Manmohan Desai, he knows the pulse of the audience and serves a dish that they relish. He integrates the right elements in those 2.30 hours and at the end of it, you can’t help but exclaim, this one’s a paisa-vasool entertainer. Now to the storyline WITHOUT spoilers… SOORYAVANSHI tells the story of a daring cop Sooryavanshi [Akshay Kumar], who decides to go after the mastermind of the terror attacks. He faces obstacles, his wife [Katrina Kaif] almost walks out on him, he loses a few colleagues in this fight, but he stays focused. On paper, the storyline of SOORYAVANSHI may sound predictable and done to death, but it’s triumph lies in its screenwriting. The screenplay is truly gripping for most parts, although it slackens in the first half due to an unwanted song and some romantic scenes filmed on Akshay and Katrina. Rohit amalgamates drama and emotions beautifully and peppers it with remarkable action pieces. Would like to mention a few sequences here… - Akshay’s introduction - The chase and fight in Jaisalmer, when Akshay nabs Abhimanyu Singh - Akshay confronting Gulshan Grover, who then is confronted by Rajendra Gupta - The bike, speedboat and helicopter chase in Bangkok - Gulshan Grover’s arrest and the immediate sequence when Akshay confronts his supporters - The entry of Simmba [Ranveer Singh] and Singham [Ajay Devgn] - The song ‘Chodo Kal Ki Baatein’ towards the penultimate portions While the screenplay is padded with the right ingredients, Rohit makes sure he never deviates from the core issue. The film has scale and content, both and that is its biggest strength. Dialogue too are well worded and fit seamlessly in the narrative. The DoP captures the scale of the film without any hiccup. The background score is effectual and the signature tune when Simmba and Singham appear on screen makes you nostalgic. Akshay returns to the action genre with SOORYAVANSHI. He indulges in fisticuffs, spews fire and venom, pumps bullets, vanquishes the villain and romances Katrina. Must add, he delivers a terrific performance yet again. Also, his deadpan humour contributes to the fun element. Katrina has a decent role and she goes through it with ease. But it is the song ‘Tip Tip Barsa Paani’ that’s bound to be greeted with whistles and claps at single screens mainly. The film has a plethora of characters, but the ones who stand out include Kumud Mishra [very good], Abhimanyu Singh [excellent], Gulshan Grover [first-rate], Rajendra Gupta [competent], Niktin Dheer [good], Sikandar Kher [effective] and Sharvari Lohokare [super]. Jaaved Jaaferi is, as always, dependable. Jackie Shroff has an important role, but doesn’t get too many scenes to prove his mettle. The presence of Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh is sone pe suhaaga, truly a master stroke. Their sequences only enhance the post-interval portions to a major extent. On the whole, SOORYAVANSHI has it all: stars, scale, action and entertainment. Rohit Shetty presents a Blockbuster package this Diwali that's sure to bring the audience back to cinemas in large numbers. SURE-SHOT SMASH HIT.Read more

Rohit Shetty has tactfully expanded his cop universe over the years – keeping the audience engaged and die-hard fans of the genre on the edge. After the Singham series (headlined by Ajay Devgn) and then Simbaa (starring Ranveer Singh), now storms in Sooryavanshi (Akshay Kumar), amidst much fanfare, drama, and blaring theatrics. Sooryavanshi’s character was subtly announced towards the end of Simmba. The film has all the elements, attitude, style, showmanship and heavy-duty star power expected of a Rohit Shetty offering. Similar to Simmba, even this cop action saga is narrated by Ajay Devgn, who reminds us of the several terrors attacks which Mumbai has encountered since the 1993 serial blasts to the 2008 terror attack on several landmark locations in Mumbai, including The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). The story in film unfolds as the biggest attack is yet to happen in the city, as some sleeper cells from Lashkar have been activated and it is found that 600 kilos of RDX left over from ’93 serial attacks is being used for the purpose. Enter DCP Veer Sooryavanshi, with a solid mission and a lot of garam khoon to protect the city from another big attack. He is so committed towards his duty that even his family, wife Riya (Katrina Kaif) and son Aryan come second to his mighty task at hand. With the cross-border plot, the film revolves around the concept of revenge, ‘An eye for an eye, makes the world blind.’ While the story itself plays it safe (basic and predictable), the action is risky and rousing (Rohit Shetty and Suniel Rodrigues). The chase sequence between Veer and John (Sikander Kher) on the streets of Bangkok is a visual delight. Never mind if it seems inspired from Carrie-Anne Moss’s bike scene with the keymaker in The Matrix Reloaded.. just like Ajay Devgn’s Bandra-Worli Sea Link action sequence in Singham Returns was inspired by Tom Cruise’s in Mission: Impossible III. However, Sooryavanshi is riddled with clichés and the length could do with a good edit, especially in the first half. Post interval, it gets gripping with loaded action and dhamaka. Akshay Kumar delivers a knockout performance. From his seeti-worthy entry to the relentless gunshots — he justifies his super cop act. Apart from the high adrenalin physical encounters, there are umpteen high drama chases, with cars, bikes and helicopters as Akshay Kumar displays his unquestionable action skills. Overall, it’s an Akshay show all the way with his star power and screen presence looming large. Katrina Kaif looks stunning on screen and her sensual moves to the iconic song ‘Tip Tip Barsa Paani’ is undoubtedly clap-worthy, but you can’t not think of the original ‘Mast Mast’ girl of Bollywood, Raveena Tandon. Ajay Devgn's and Ranvir Singh’s smashing (quite literally) entry in the second half elevates the film and adds the striking punch. As Bajirao Singham and Sangram Bhalerao respectively, the three actors steal the show in the few scenes they have together. The ensemble cast, which includes Jackie Shroff as the leader of terrorist gang Omar Afeez, as well as other group members Gulshan Grover, Abhimanyu Singh, Kumud Mishra and Nikitin Dheer, makes a substantial contribution to the plot's progression. Jaaved Jaaferi's portrayal of ATS head Kabir Shroff, on the other hand, perfectly plays his serious cop part. While the background score of Sooryavansi sets the mood, the songs are not particularly memorable. The revamped version of ‘Najaa’ is an earworm, but we don't get to hear it in the film. However, the trio dancing to Daler Mehndi’s ‘Aila Re Aillaa’ is entertaining. Veer Sooryavanshi, Akshay Kumar has successfully taken over the mantle from his predecessors (Singham and Simmba), and with a generous dose of flying and somersaulting cars, this one is quite a bumper Diwali entertainer for you. And if you are a fan of high voltage action movies, go lap this up!Read more