At the beginning, while re-making a film, the makers always scream: “It’s a remake, it’s a remake.” When the film is nearing its release, those same makers then scream: “Please don’t compare with the original, please don’t compare with the original!”
Does this mean these so called filmmakers try and take us for a ride over our hard-earned money? I still have no idea how can a common cine-goer judge this movie as a stand-alone from the original? The comparison takes place here automatically.
The original film Zanjeer (1973) earned Amitabh Bachchan the tag ‘Angry Young Man’ and made him world-famous. The latest action thriller Zanjeer brings Andhra icon Chiranjeevi’s son, Ram Charan (who is a star in Andhra, not a superstar) to Bollywood.
The main characters in this one are rechristened as Vijay (played by Ram Charan), Mala (played by Priyanka Chopra), Sher Khan (played by Sanjay Dutt), Teja (played by Prakash Raj) and Mona (played by Mahie Gill) just like the original. But the backdrop is the oil Mafia in Mumbai.
[easyreview title=”ZANJEER” cat1title=”Story” cat1detail=”The story of the film is good but treated in a proposal making way.” cat1rating=”2″ cat2title=”Performances” cat2detail=”Ram Charan Teja misfits the role, Priyanka looks good. Prakash Raj is awesome.” cat2rating=”1.5″ cat3title=”Direction” cat3detail=”Apoorva Lakhia has made all flops earlier, This time too, it looks as if he had no command over his own script.” cat3rating=”1.5″ cat4title=”Production” cat4detail=”The camera work looks good, the production values are good. Editing drags in parts.” cat4rating=”1.5″ cat5title=”Music” cat5detail=”The music of the film will not be remembered much.” cat5rating=”1″ summary=’The new Zanjeer is an insult to the old classic. Review Scores by Faisal Saif’]
This new version Zanjeer is the story of an idealistic cop Vijay Khanna (played by Ram Charan Teja) wanting to bring criminals to the book. Set in Andhra Pradesh (AP), the initial part sets the stage for how dons and ministers have more power with and within the administration than an honest policeman.
As a result, Vijay is transferred 17 times within AP. In his 18th assignment in Mumbai, this Assistant Commissioner of Police takes on an oil mafia don, Teja with the help of Sher Khan and the emotional support of his girlfriend Mala.
If I speak about performances, Ram Charan Teja is really a misfit as ACP, especially after we have seen all the Singham’s and Rowdy’s and Rathore’s. Ram Charan might be a brilliant actor back home in Andhra, but here he stands a very weak chance of making it big.
Priyanka Chopra is good as Mala. Sanjay Dutt as Sher Khan irritates, especially the very moment you try to remember and compare the (Late) legendary Pran with Sanjay Dutt. Physique-wise, Sanjay also looks like a misfit.
Prakash Raj shines and excel as Teja. In fact, Prakash Raj is the only actor who makes you sit and tolerate the film. Mahie Gill could not repeat the ‘Devilish Charm’ of legendary Bindu.
Apoorva Lakhia is the same director who has given Flops such as Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost (2003), Ek Ajnabee (2005), and Mission Istanbul (2008).
I will not talk about Shootout At Lokhandwala (2007) because it was totally monitored by Sanjay Gupta and Ekta Kapoor (I was told).
Apoorva’s direction is weak and shows no command over his own script. The film at one point of time starts irritating you because the comparison has taken a huge place in your mind.
The music part is also forgettable. The cinematography, production values are good but are not the content that saves a film (I have said this line many times). The editing is poor and dragging.
If you are planning to watch Zanjeer, Please avoid at all costs. At least for the sake of Amitabh Bachchan.
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