Bholaa review :
Not a frame by frame remake of Lokesh Kanagaraj's Kaithi (2019), Bholaa rests completely on its high octane action and Ajay- Tabu chemistry to make you forgive its wafer thin plot. Producer-director Ajay Devgn dominates each and every frame but this cannot be called his finest performance. Not his fault as the main focus is on the 'maar dhaad' sequences which make for most of the two and half hours of its run time.
To his credit, the fight choreography is unique and mind boggling. I particularly freaked out on the bikers' gang on a rampage as well as Devgn's handiwork with the trident. Crash boom bang!! The climactic action is reminiscent of the recent KGF Chapter 2 (2022) police station sequence. Overall, the action jackson Devgn rocks once again!!
On the flipside, the plot is almost non existent. A prisoner Bholaa (Devgn) is set free after serving his term and is immediately requested by a lady cop (Tabu) to drive a truck full of her unconscious colleagues to the nearby hospital. The cops' drinks were spiked by a dangerous gang (Deepak Dobriyal and co.) to get even for nabbing their crores worth of contraband.
The entire film takes place in one night where this gang keeps attacking the truck driven by Devgn to get hold of these cops. One action piece after another follows with the emotional quotient provided in form of Bholaa's kid daughter who he yearns to meet at the earliest. There is Bholaa's backstory as well but it is never completed probably keeping a sequel in mind..
Of the cast, Ajay's intensity is intact though the film requires him to emote less and kick more. Tabu is assuredly competent as the cop Diana Joseph who is a nemesis for the gangsters. They call her Daayan, haha!! Deepak Dobriyal is impressive in a meaty villainous role. Gajraj Rao is effective as ever but why has he been filmed in perennial closeup!!! The gorgeous Amala Paul leaves her mark in a cameo.
Aseem Bajaj's cinematography is first rate. The 3D effects are sparse and you can easily book a 2D ticket if you wish to go easy on your pocket. The sizzling hot item number featuring Raai Laxmi will appeal to the masses but again, why those frequent cuts to Dobriyal's telephonic conversations in between!!
On the whole, Bholaa is 'paisa vasool' even with its share of flaws. Action movie buffs will simply love it. Those who have seen the original Kaithi will also not mind this adaptation!!
Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.
Not a frame by frame remake of Lokesh Kanagaraj's Kaithi (2019), Bholaa rests completely on its high octane action and Ajay- Tabu chemistry to make you forgive its wafer thin plot. Producer-director Ajay Devgn dominates each and every frame but this cannot be called his finest performance. Not his fault as the main focus is on the 'maar dhaad' sequences which make for most of the two and half hours of its run time.
To his credit, the fight choreography is unique and mind boggling. I particularly freaked out on the bikers' gang on a rampage as well as Devgn's handiwork with the trident. Crash boom bang!! The climactic action is reminiscent of the recent KGF Chapter 2 (2022) police station sequence. Overall, the action jackson Devgn rocks once again!!
On the flipside, the plot is almost non existent. A prisoner Bholaa (Devgn) is set free after serving his term and is immediately requested by a lady cop (Tabu) to drive a truck full of her unconscious colleagues to the nearby hospital. The cops' drinks were spiked by a dangerous gang (Deepak Dobriyal and co.) to get even for nabbing their crores worth of contraband.
The entire film takes place in one night where this gang keeps attacking the truck driven by Devgn to get hold of these cops. One action piece after another follows with the emotional quotient provided in form of Bholaa's kid daughter who he yearns to meet at the earliest. There is Bholaa's backstory as well but it is never completed probably keeping a sequel in mind..
Of the cast, Ajay's intensity is intact though the film requires him to emote less and kick more. Tabu is assuredly competent as the cop Diana Joseph who is a nemesis for the gangsters. They call her Daayan, haha!! Deepak Dobriyal is impressive in a meaty villainous role. Gajraj Rao is effective as ever but why has he been filmed in perennial closeup!!! The gorgeous Amala Paul leaves her mark in a cameo.
Aseem Bajaj's cinematography is first rate. The 3D effects are sparse and you can easily book a 2D ticket if you wish to go easy on your pocket. The sizzling hot item number featuring Raai Laxmi will appeal to the masses but again, why those frequent cuts to Dobriyal's telephonic conversations in between!!
On the whole, Bholaa is 'paisa vasool' even with its share of flaws. Action movie buffs will simply love it. Those who have seen the original Kaithi will also not mind this adaptation!!
Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.