Critic's Rating: 3.5/5
Avg Readers' Rating: 3.5/5
CAST:Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma, Randeep Hooda, Amit Sadh
DIRECTION:Ali Abbas Zafar
Bhai (all) the way
Salman Khan films have forever been remembered for just that. This effortless stardom allowed the actor to wallow in his mediocrity. And while the three-digit crores piled up at the box office, Khan got so absorbed in his larger-than-big-screen image that he began mimicking the 'bhai' his fans worshiped. His critics weren't amused but his followers couldn't get enough " even when most of his films resembled each other and were essentially extending a platform for Khan to shed his shirt, bash up the bad guys, and break into a jig or two by fiddling with his belt or inside his pocket. But then Bajrangi Bhaijaan, a film unlike any other Khan had done happened to us. It allowed him to smash his self-made construct and the actor superseded the star. And Sultan, though littered with cliches, a predictable story and a runtime of almost three hours, is even more daring. It shows the actor seemingly accepting and comfortable with his character " that of an out-of-action ageing wrestler " complete with a bloated body and the chest of an orangutan.
Ageing without a care, Sultan Ali Khan (Salman Khan) is introduced as a wrestler who has resigned himself to a life of anonymity in his village of Rewari in Haryana. Once an Olympic champ, the film's eponymous lead is seen in a sleeveless sweater on a rickety scooter, collecting donations for a certain "Aman Blood Bank". His peculiar obsession is explained in a detailed flashback shared by his friend Govind (Anant Sharma), when Akash Oberoi (Amit Sadh), an MMA competition organiser approaches the wrestler with an offer. Apparently, the bulky pehelwan's heavy heart has been boffed by a female wrestler called Aarfa (Anushka Sharma). A tragic incident from their past ensures she doesn't lock eyes with our gentle giant.
Sultan's past also features spectacular knockouts " from the akhada to the mat " he pins down his opponents with his signature moves. But when the going gets good, the good goes on an ego trip or as someone points out, "Ijjat aur guroor mein dhaage bhar ka farak hove hain," (There's a thin line between respect and arrogance).
But this is a story of failure, and following regimented training and perseverance, of rising from it. Evidently, Sultan returns to the ring, this time in an MMA competition, facing greats from across the world. The result " just enough to get Bhai-fans to break box office records, if not multiplex seats.
On the outside, this may seem like a sports film, but it also works beautifully in internalising the angst of our lovelorn lead.
Khan's Sultan is an uncertain, vulnerable simpleton, and he serves his character well by not seeming like a village idiot. His performance can be best described in words his character uses to reflect on his love: "pheel hain usme". Anushka Sharma manages the Haryanvi accent and the athletic locks and grips with commitment. Anant Sharma, playing Sultan's friend, is a great find and deserves a mention for his natural performance. Hooda, in a prominent cameo as Sultan's MMA coach, is dependable. Sadh, though a bit theatrical in parts, is largely bearable if not laudable.
From the soundtrack, the party number Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai is the only one to make it to the charts, while the others have been suitably placed to convey a certain mood.
Writer-director Ali Abbas Zafar, whose filmography includes lacklustre films like Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and Gunday, breaks a jinx with this delightful flick. He builds the muscled monolith's narrative effectively to garner empathy for his turbulent journey.
The moral here, though not exclusive, is contextual to the film. "Asli pehchaan pehelwaan ki akhade mein nahin, zindagi mein hove hain." Because when life gives you a dhobi-pachaad, only a true wrestler can make it back on his feet.
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