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Thugs of Hindostan (2018) Movie Review

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  • 4/10
    Critic's Rating - 4/10
4/10

‘Haiyya Haiyya, Haiyya Haiyya’ – does it remind you of anything? Words use to speed up a slow bullock cart. Hope the same could be said of the film ‘Thugs of Hindostan’.

‘Haiyya,Haiyya’ enter Amitabh Bachchan.

Only Amitabh Bachchan is the saving grace of the film as he is the cartsman and Vijay is the bullock. His magnificent presence speaks for itself when he enters in true ‘Ajooba’ style. His magic is unfathomable even at this age. Despite all his efforts, Vijay lets him down as the film unfolds.

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Vijay Krishna Acharya is the biggest Thug of all the Thugs here, as he has been mounting the same action-packed multi-starrer affairs with humungous budgets. ‘Thugs of Hindostan’ reminds of another Diwali dud ‘Blue’ which released 9 years back – the most expensive Hindi film of its time lacking a soul.

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Since 2008, Vijay has served us with the same 90s formulaic story – villan kills father, grown-up child loots villain, endless cat-and-mouse chase and finally, destroy the villain. Vijay presents the same rotten mess with before-seen copy-pasted Hollywood set pieces, action and silly songs whether it was ‘Dhoom 3’ copied from ‘The Prestige’ or ‘Thugs of Hindostan’ from ‘Pirates of The Carribean’ Franchise. I wonder how YRF has approved the same again and again with ‘Tashan’, ‘Dhoom 3’ and ‘Thugs of Hindostan’ with a bigger budget than before.

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With a Bhojpuri accent inspired Johnny Depp, Aamir Khan overacts Firangi for the most part. He disappoints big time and it is a fact that except for films on social issues or real stories, he does not have script sense of entertaining films whether it was ‘Dhoom 3’ previously or Ghajini. Katrina Kaif shakes leg in ‘Baby Doll Mein Sone Di’ moments in lavish set pieces while Fatima Sana Shaikh looks good mostly for the physicality minus the emotions.

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The songs are likeable to the least and have little to add to the film except for crores of budget. Prabhu Deva’s choreography in Surraiya is laughable for the most part. The background music works for the entry sequences and everywhere else is out of snyc.

The production design is good but not extraordinary against its INR 220-250 crores budget except for the songs and the ships. The VFX is also shoddy for the most part inspried by the works of Pirates franchise, Baahubali and The Great Wall. Assassin’s Creed deserves a special mention for the eagle copied scenes.

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Wonder what makes YRF demand an increase in ticket prices and think Thugs of Hindostan deserves an IMAX release.

Thugs of Hindostan is a one-man show -Amitabh Bachchan while another’s disappointment – Vijay Krishna Acharya. The film is one of Aamir Khan’s most lacklustre and forgettable film in years post Dhoom 3. Watch it for Amitabh Bachchan solely.

P.S. – INR 400 crores is still a distant dream for Bollywood.

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