Before reviewing the new Himmatwala, allow me to introduce you with some facts related to 1983’s Himmatwala. K. Raghavendra Rao’s Himmatwala (1983) was an experimental film, in which he signed a sinking mega-star of early 1980’s Jetendra, whose movies were drowning deeply at the box office back in those days. Similarly, Sridevi was signed because of limited budget as she was planning to leave the industry because of constant flops. On the contrary, Kader Khan, who used to play negative roles, was also not getting any movies. The concept of remakes of south Indian movies was also fresh at that period of time. So, all in all, it was their hard work and commendable script with astounding performances which made Himmatwala a fare that not only started the team (Jetendra, Sridevi, Kader Khan, Amjad Khan, Shakti Kapoor and Asrani) to launch numerous block-busters but also gave a reason to copy it even after 3 decades.
Sajid Khan’s Himmatwala is a literal copy of the original Himmatwala. Although, he has mentioned at many platforms that his movie has a few elements of the original one but if you see the original movie, dialogues, character names, scenes and at places background score have also copied from it. There are minor amendments which add no weight to the movie.
If Sajid Khan says that this particular movie is a tribute to 1980’s cinema then he should rephrase it as a tribute to the “Young Angry Man” of 1980’s Amitabh’s movies. The reason to quote this is that 5 action scenes from this movie reminded me of Amitabh’s movies.
A – Title Track reminded me of Shan’s “Pyar Karnewalay Pyar Kartay Hain Shaan Se”, filmed on Parveen Babi.
B – Cage fight of Ajay Devgan made me recall Amitabh’s cage fight from Naseeb.
C – The scene where Ajay Devgan holds the dagger from sharp end while saving his sister from “Dhanna”, reminds me of the scene from “Kaala Patthar” where Amitabh did the same with a character named “Dhanna” (played by Ashok Saxena).
D – The much talked about tiger fight again makes me recall Amitabh’s tiger fight from “Khoon Pasiina”.
E – The fight sequence just before the song “Bump Pe Laat” where Ajay converses in 5 different languages with goons gives me a vivid remembrance of a similar scene from Amitabh’s “Laawaris”
Anyways, the plot is similar and it tells a story of a malicious Sarpanch Sher Singh (Mahesh Manjrekar) who defames Ravi’s (Ajay Devgan) father to an extent where he commits suicide and his family suffers a lot of pain. Years after, Ravi returns to take revenge from Sarpanch.
I am a fan of 70’s and 80’s movies, this was the mere reason why I chose to watch the new Himmatwala but experience was nothing but sheer pain. First of all, Ajay looks totally misfit for the role; he failed to pass the wittiness which Jetendra portrayed in his style. His “Atta Maajhi Sattakli” style has now stuck to him – its time to come up with something original and much entertaining. Mahesh Manjhrekar is a very talented actor but he looks cheap and acts loud in this fare. Even he failed to meet Amjad Khan’s comical expressions and terrifying persona. Adhyayan Suman as Shakti does not even come close to Shakti Kapoor in a single scene. Tamanna Bhatia (a renowned and successful Tamil actress) has screen presence but when it comes to performing, she needs to focus on that.
The only character that stands out (to some extent) in the movie is Paresh Rawal (enacting the role of Kader Khan). He manages to copy the appearance and tone of Kader Khan and with his dialogues, his earnest attempt is visible in every scene. Asrani is the only actor who has appeared in both the Himmatwalas but in the newer version he is wasted. Ritesh Deshmukh appears in a cameo and he is as usual – typical. Zarina Wahab is efficient.
It’s saddening that this film has great performers and super stars but even then the film failed to create a magic at the box office.
If you really want to get heavy dose of entertainment watch the original one.
Rating 3.5 / 10
P.S: This Movie Review Has Also Been Published At Express Tribune Under My Name.
