Sunil Shetty is a good action star but like Akshay Kumar, he too had his share of flops in the mid 90s period. He had a whole chain of flops that didn't do much for him, he was criticized for his cringe worthy shouting and shrieking in these films. It was films like Krishna(1996) and Rakshak(1996) that got him the successful action hero tag he needed. Rakshak despite being an average hit got Sunil noticed as a good dancer based on the super hit song Sehar Ki Ladki. However, 1997 was also an average year for him. Films like Judge Mujrim and Dhaal were completely rejected by the audiences while films like Border got him a real comeback. Bhai was his second big hit in 1997 after the blockbuster war film Border.
Bhai tells the story of Kundan who has to leave his home because of some corrupt police. However, the city too seems not give him less trouble. There are riots everywhere and he gets blamed for being a part of the riots. It is then he is saved by a innocent lawyer, the guy gives Kundan and his brother Kisna a home to live in. Despite getting insulted by the advocate's mom, Kundan gets his brother admitted to a good school. After a fight with local ruffian, Kundan and the ruffian become friends. However, Kisna see's the murder of the innocent advocate and he is the next one to die when he doesn't testify. Kudan is very upset and vows to take revenge. He takes the law on his own hands and starts murdering all these criminals who are responsible for the riots and these killings in the city. Soon the poor called him Bhai, and he becomes the messiah of the poor. The rest of the story is how Kundan kills all the villains.
The plot of the film is done to death and has been repeated many times and the handling is not at it's best here too. However, there are several well handled scenes that work well with the tempo of the film. Plus, there are many attention grabbing scenes which make sure the viewer doesn't loose his/her attention. However, the film shifts to forced and lame comedy and the romance between Pooja Batra and Sunil Shetty is not convincing. Plus. this certain shift does make the central point of attention in the film fade away despite good attention grabbing moments in the film. However, the main story and the main plot is well handled and the execution is good. Despite a copied Rambo climax, the film ends well.
Direction by Deepak Shivdasani is alright, but it could've been better. However, the film is much better than Balwaan(Sunil's debut) which was mostly a crass film. Mr. Shivdasani didn't do a good job there but in Bhai, he does an OK job. Action is good but there are some violent scenes, the overdose of violence is as usual present.
Sunil Shetty does a sincere job, he has improved a lot since his debut. His expressions are good, his dance is good while his comedy is OK. Thankfully, he doesn't shout like he does when he gets beaten up. Sonail Bendre does a good job in her tomboyish role, she is hilarious. Pooja Batra looks good and acts well as the typical Indian girl but her love with Sunil is a bit unconvincing, it happens to suddenly. Shakti Kapoor doesn't do much, his comedy is lame and tries hard to make you laugh. Kader Khan as the helping inspector is good, he always shadows Sunil. The child actor who plays Sunil's brother is OK, he does overact a bit. On the whole, the performances are good.
Overall, Bhai is not a bad film but it isn't a memorable film either. This is one of those Sunil Shetty films which were liked by some and disliked by some. I wouldn't mind watching it again but it is nowhere close to being a good Sunil Shetty flick like Hera Pheri or Hu Tu Tu.
Bhai tells the story of Kundan who has to leave his home because of some corrupt police. However, the city too seems not give him less trouble. There are riots everywhere and he gets blamed for being a part of the riots. It is then he is saved by a innocent lawyer, the guy gives Kundan and his brother Kisna a home to live in. Despite getting insulted by the advocate's mom, Kundan gets his brother admitted to a good school. After a fight with local ruffian, Kundan and the ruffian become friends. However, Kisna see's the murder of the innocent advocate and he is the next one to die when he doesn't testify. Kudan is very upset and vows to take revenge. He takes the law on his own hands and starts murdering all these criminals who are responsible for the riots and these killings in the city. Soon the poor called him Bhai, and he becomes the messiah of the poor. The rest of the story is how Kundan kills all the villains.
The plot of the film is done to death and has been repeated many times and the handling is not at it's best here too. However, there are several well handled scenes that work well with the tempo of the film. Plus, there are many attention grabbing scenes which make sure the viewer doesn't loose his/her attention. However, the film shifts to forced and lame comedy and the romance between Pooja Batra and Sunil Shetty is not convincing. Plus. this certain shift does make the central point of attention in the film fade away despite good attention grabbing moments in the film. However, the main story and the main plot is well handled and the execution is good. Despite a copied Rambo climax, the film ends well.
Direction by Deepak Shivdasani is alright, but it could've been better. However, the film is much better than Balwaan(Sunil's debut) which was mostly a crass film. Mr. Shivdasani didn't do a good job there but in Bhai, he does an OK job. Action is good but there are some violent scenes, the overdose of violence is as usual present.
Sunil Shetty does a sincere job, he has improved a lot since his debut. His expressions are good, his dance is good while his comedy is OK. Thankfully, he doesn't shout like he does when he gets beaten up. Sonail Bendre does a good job in her tomboyish role, she is hilarious. Pooja Batra looks good and acts well as the typical Indian girl but her love with Sunil is a bit unconvincing, it happens to suddenly. Shakti Kapoor doesn't do much, his comedy is lame and tries hard to make you laugh. Kader Khan as the helping inspector is good, he always shadows Sunil. The child actor who plays Sunil's brother is OK, he does overact a bit. On the whole, the performances are good.
Overall, Bhai is not a bad film but it isn't a memorable film either. This is one of those Sunil Shetty films which were liked by some and disliked by some. I wouldn't mind watching it again but it is nowhere close to being a good Sunil Shetty flick like Hera Pheri or Hu Tu Tu.