Dabangg

Rating : 8/10
Release Date : 10th September, 2010
Time : 129 minutes
Director, Co-writer : Abhinav Kashyap; Co-writer: Dilip Shukla; Music : Sajid-Wajid
Starring : Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Sonu Sood, Arbaaz Khan, Vinod Khanna, Dimple Kapadia, Om Puri, Mahesh Manjrekar, Mahie Gill, Tinnu Anand

‘Tu atom bomb hui, darling mere liye’

This film is an ode to the old-fashioned, over the top entertainer. The one man army, who cant be stopped by either a hail of bullets or a stab to the stomach. The avenging ‘Incredible Hulk’ like superhero. And of course, his lady love. Sonakshi Sinha receiving the perfect launch pad.


The story line is simplicity itself. Salman is the stepson of Vinod Khanna, yearns for his Dad’s love & approval but doesn’t get it, all of it going towards his real son, Arbaaz Khan. When Salman becomes a cop, he faces a couple of battles. First with notorious youth leader and chief villain, Sonu Sood. And the other within his family. Oh, and BTW, Salman also falls in love with Sonakshi and conducts an hilarious courtship with her…


There is nothing new in the storyline, nothing we haven’t already seen. But its done with a flair, panache and sense of humour that entertains and delights. And no one but Salman could’ve carried it off. His simple dance steps are noteworthy – the one with the buckle, the one with the hand in ‘humka peeni hai’, the swimming step in the same song, his ‘mad’ dance to the munni song. His style will spawn a thousand imitations. The sunglasses at the back of the collar, the stiff walk, the jokes, his own reaction to his own jokes. And the little thing he has going whenever a certain ringtone plays in a certain villains pocket. The ‘mote wale is taraf, patle wale is taraf , aur fit wale mere peeche’. The neon hearts reflection in the sunglasses. Fantastic.



Sonakshi looks great and does a good job of the role assigned to her. Her debut also spells hopefully, a return of the voluptuous heroines, the heaving bosom’s & sizzling sarees. And an end to the size zero skimpily clad bimbette’s. Here’s looking at you, kid.


Everyone in the character cast does their job well (Dimple, perhaps, felt a little out of place). The background score, like that of a western’s, is exhilarating. And each song is a spectacle, worth waiting for. None more so than Munni with her ‘Shilpa sa figure and Bebo si ada’.


If I’m to carp, I’ll find fault with the ending (interesting, slightly long drawn, perhaps needed a small twist?). But I’m not going to.


I heard the sound of claps, whistles and cheering after a long time in a multiplex. Reminded me of the days of single screen theatres when this was normal. I’m probably going to watch it again in one, a late show this time for full on audience effect. A friend of mine (Amitabh) used to complain that modern Hindi film heroes are too soft, that when they hit someone he only falls a foot away while the older heroes used to make them fly 10-15 feet, break walls etc. Amitabh, you’ll be rooting for Salman here. Would suggest you make your bookings too…

Oh and one more thing…this one deserves to be watched on the big screen…and if anyone dares to do otherwise…to hum aap main itne chhed karenge ki confuse ho jaoge ki saans kahan se lein aur @##% kahan se….