When a film is named after the most iconic Bollywood Villain, it surely draws one’s attention towards it. Telegu Director Krish’s ‘Gabbar is Back’ takes that name, gives it to a superstar and remakes a Tamil actioner 
(‘Ramanaa’). ‘Kaam Se Hero… Naam Se Villain’– Akshay Kumar in a trimmed bearded look describes himself.
Aditya (Akshay Kumar) is a professor at National College, Mumbai. He is one of those teachers whom the young crowd admires. But there is more to him. He is also Gabbar– an unknown face who is a criminal to the Police. His crime? Gabbar kidnaps corrupt government officials and kills one of them every Friday. It’s his movie release! And he isn’t alone in it. His students are with him. “Pachaas pachaas kos dur jab koi rishwat leta hain toh sab kehte hain mat le varna… Gabbar aa jaayega.”– fear seeps in amongst the corrupt dishonest people misutilizing their power. A Police Constable (Sunil Grover; ‘Gutthi’ of Comedy Nights With Kapil), a butt of jokes amongst his superiors takes a medical leave to trace Gabbar who has a past.
Akshay Kumar, mostly successful in loud mindless movies did experiment a little in ‘Special 26’ and ‘Baby’ or even ‘Holiday’ for that matter. ‘Gabbar’ is a little like the latter in terms of style; it works in bits and pieces. A few scenes stand out. I personally loved the hospital episode. While the thought behind the movie is noble, it never really inspires you until the climax which gets thumbs up. What doesn’t work? Almost everything else! This is a badly directed movie and the same can be said about the editing. Dialogues are quite clap-worthy; some of them lack the punch. There was no need of the love angle between the leads but that can be excused as this is a massy movie. I couldn’t help but pity watching a talent like Chitrangada Singh in a tacky item number reminding you of one of those probably Rakhi Sawant did/does. Music is just okay.
Akshay Kumar is in form this time too. His fans will surely like him as Gabbar; it’s a film with a message which though not too innovative or new, does click. Shruti Haasan remains an eye candy and also continues to be a mess at acting. Sunil Grover is perfect for the role. Southie Villain Suman isn’t really menacing like Prakash Raj even if the latter repeats himself in every movie. Jaideep Ahlawat is okay. Kareena Kapoor Khan in a cameo scorches the screen; she looks so gorgeous that she can give the younger actresses a run for their money.
Watch it or not: Yes; if you are an Akshay Kumar fan or if you are looking for some entertainment and not expecting much.
At the Box Office: It will open big as it has a superstar and also because it is an extended weekend. Business will slow down quite rapidly in the coming weeks because of releases like ‘Piku’ and ‘Bombay Velvet’. I’m expecting ‘Gabbar is Back’ to be a profitable venture.
My Verdict
3
If Gabbar Singh was alive and real, he might have just called at the nearest cinema hall in town today and asked- “Kitne aadmi the?” Pat would come the reply- “Sardaar… Housefull!” Bas naam hi kaafi hain!
