Big films come with a baggage; rarely do most meet the huge expectations which begin the first time the trailer is aired and mixed reviews is what you get. It is either hugely enjoyed or terribly disliked. They are watched by all; no two opinions on that. These are 
the movies we truly wait for and why not? It is an event for fans to watch their favourite stars once or twice a year in a blockbuster. Blockbuster, it mostly is unless there is some grave issue. Right from the number of hits for the trailer on You Tube to the last crore it makes, Friday and the numbers decide the current reigning star. Stardom is what brings in the moolah and not (mere!) acting abilities. A hard fact in itself; there was hardly a packed house for a Naseeruddin Shah or Nana Patekar solo starrer and there isn’t one for Irrfan Khan either.
Producer Sajid Nadiadwala turns Director with this week’s big EID release – ‘Kick’. Salman Khan is cast once again in a South Indian remake, a Telegu smash hit by the same name. I’m of the opinion that this phenomenal superstar does not need to act (something he can never do). Not at all conscious about a performance; Salman needs to only appear on the screen and even if he shakes his belt, his fans will go crazy. That in itself explains his aura. I, for one have rarely enjoyed any of his performances barring ‘Dabangg’ (the first one) but he is in my list of the most likeable stars. Writer Chetan Bhagat co-scripting this week’s release was another reason I was looking forward to it. So, does ‘Kick’ work?
Poland-based psychiatrist Shaina (Jacqueline Fernandez) is coaxed into meeting Himanshu (Randeep Hooda) by her family.
The two meet at a train and confess they are not ready for marriage yet. While on the way, Shaina tells him about her past romance with Devi Lal Singh (Salman Khan). It began as a ‘headache’ for her but gradually she fell for him. Devi was this educated man who just couldn’t stick to any job because he never got a kick doing the routine stuff people do. The guy broke up with her when he realized it couldn’t work out between them. A shattered Shaina is still in love with Devi not knowing Himanshu’s hatred for him. Yes; both have one thing in common. Shaina’s love is Himanshu’s hatred – Devil, a modern-day Robin Hood whom he has never met but as he puts it – “Mere vardi pe medal bahut lage hain par daag sirf ek”. Himanshu is in Poland as Devil had left him a clue; his next robbery would be there. What follows is a cat-and-mouse game between the two, a clueless and dragging script, some underwhelming action and tuneless music.
Unlike most Salman Movies, this one has some style and class when it comes to direction (somewhat like that another disappointing movie for me – ‘Ek Tha Tiger’). Nadiadwala the producer spends money like water. Nadiadwala the director uses all the trappings and knows he will get himself much more money recovered. While you can’t expect a plot in a Salman flick and this one is no different, you expect mindless entertainment. You get it here too and the masses should enjoy. ‘Kick’ is like a Dhoom film made for Salman with the kind of fun he does in his movies. But the director stretches it too long and the outcome is very inconsistent and unsatisfying. A few scenes work, then it dips, works, dips and so on. By the time the movie ends, you feel good you are going back home. It isn’t a migraine you complain about but what could have been a crisp action thriller is watered down to an average one-time watch with not much impact. However, even this is like a classic if you compare it with most Salman outings. A few action scenes stand out though you expect much more. Dialogues are catchy. Music by Himesh Reshammiya is nothing to write home about. I have no clue why Chetan Bhagat had to co-script a remake and if there was any need for it but I guess Shaina and Himanshu meeting up in a train and discussing their lives must have been his idea.
Salman Khan seems to have a blast and enjoys his superstardom in every single scene. “Mere baare mein itna mat sochna… Dil mein aata hoo… Dimaag mein nahi”, he says perfectly describing himself. However, I had this problem seeing him play a Robin Hood robbing rich corrupt people so that he can help ailing children of the country. Ok… Salman… First ‘Jai Ho’ and now this… stop re-iterating that you are Being Human or that you are a bad guy with a heart of gold. His fans, mainly the masses will not be disappointed but since it isn’t a typical Salman movie, a few scenes will have to be comprehended by them. Randeep Hooda stands tall in a film where he plays second fiddle to a huge superstar. He is like Abhishek Bacchan of Dhoom series but one who can act better and be noticed. Jacqueline Fernandez is just okay and her role doesn’t shape up well. She is relegated to the back seat in the last few reels though it must be mentioned she dances well in ‘Jumme Ki Raat’. Why is she even a psychiatrist in the film? An actor like Nawazuddin Siddiqui is wasted in a negative role and even then, he shines. Saurabh Shukla and Sanjay Mishra raise a few good laughs. Mithun Chakraborthy and Archana Puran Singh as the hero’s parents try hard to be funny.
Watch it or not: Doesn’t matter. You will watch it anyway.
At the Box-Office: Quoting a dialogue from the movie – “Abhi Eid aa rahi hain… aur woh apni Eidee lene zaroor aayega”. Released in widest number of screens so far and with Salman Khan in it and EID coming up, ‘Kick’ at the Box-office will break some records and surely join the 200 cr club. Salman’s last ‘Jai Ho’ crawled to even cross 100 cr; this one will repair all damages.
My Verdict
My Rating
I got a kick while watching ‘Dabangg’… this one gave me a mere jolt.
