The One About Singh Is Kinng
It was perhaps the most talked about and anticipated release of the year however unfortunetly I didn't do either, talk about it or anticipate it. Only because Aneez Bazmi's last release Welcome was absolute 'bakwaas' in my books. So you could say that I was expecting 3 hrs of stupid jokes, dubbed Katrina Kaif, and a ridiculous dragged out climax to top it all off. And I am pleased to say that I got neither of those three things. In stead I got a gripping storyline covered with comedy, action and romance. And to top it all off, a movie with a message.
Singh is Kinng (for those who haven't heard of it, possibly living under a rock if you're into Bollywood cinema) stars Jublee Kumar in other words Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Neha Dhupia and Sonu Sood. Now why did I choose to include just Neha and Sonu from the huge range of supporting cast, you'll see.
The movie in a nutshell is about Happy Singh who is always trying to do good. He will go to any lengths to fix peoples problems and to put a smile on someones face. And this noble trait is not always appreciated because he doesn't always get it right. In the hopes of getting rid of him, his friends plot to send him to Australia to bring back an old friend, Lucky aka Sonu Soon, knowing that Happy would never say no to such a course (Lucky's parents are ill and desperately want to see their son). The journey is stretched when Happy mistakenly gets off in Eyjpt where he meets Sonia aka Katrina Kaif. After a mini adventure in Eyjpt when Happy arrives in Australia he finds that his friend has gone down the wrong path and takes up the noble task to set him right and bring him home to his loved ones. During this time Lucky gets injured and a misunderstanding leads his gang to believe that Happy is to be the new 'King' or Don. The rest of the story is about how Happy whilst being the 'King' carries out the noble tasks that he believes so strongly in and how he plagues everyone with his goodness. In the process helping an auntiji marry of his daughter (Katrina Kaif) even if he is in love with her.
So that is basically the story. Its nothing too complex that people will get confused about. Nor is it run-off-the-mill. And that is the beauty of Singh is Kinng! In a time where Indian makers try to make the most complex movies as possible to impress God knows who, and movies that are only targeted to a particular group of audiences, its rather refreshing to come across a movie that the whole family can sit and enjoy and most importantly take something home with them from it. Singh is Kinng is not one of those comedies that you will forget the minute you work because you've seen 10 other like it, absolutely not.
Anees Bazmi manages to keep the seriousness in the story without boring the audiences nor taking away the comedy genre of the film. The screenplay is gripping and flows beautifully which is perhaps the most challenging task for any film maker. Yes there are about two or three comic sequences that are unrealistic and slightly stupid but apart from that you're quiet suprised that this movie comes from someone who made Welcome. Even the action sequences aren't dragged. Nor are the dramatic or romantic ones.
Akshay Kumar needless to say is the most appropriate person for the role. Not only because of his Punjabi background but because of the life he has lived. He's a genuine human being who is greatful everyday for the stardom he has worked so hard and has finally attained and thats sincerity and down-to-earth nature is what makes him so endearing and appropriate for the role of Happy Singh. And ego filled actor who think he owns the world would not have been able to pull this off with with as much conviction no matter how good of an actor he is. To be Happy Singh someone really has to believe in such a character and from what I saw on screen, Akki definetly did.
Katrina Kaif needs to work ONLY in movies associated with Vipul Amrutlal Shah if thats what it takes to get to hear her real voice and see her act. Last I saw and heard both of those things was Namastay London which was directed by Vipul and this time even if he is not directing he still manages to get the best out of her. She is believable, not annoying and suprisingly very very good. So refreshing. Her Hindi is definetly improving and I think with a tad bit more practise and concentration in dialogue delivery she should be able to dub. If she wants to stick around she needs to work on it because frankly unless I hear an actress's dialogue delivery I will not go ahead and consider them a 100% actress.
Neha Dhupia as promised is the suprise package of the movie that you really get used to seeing on screen. I really hope to see her more often in such credible projects and hopefully with bigger and more influencial roles. Sonu Sood is an absolute delight. I think I am the only person who has ever gone from calling an actor 'cheap' to loving them! I absolutely hated the sight of his face when I saw Sheesha and Aashiq Banaya Aapne(yes I have had the unfortunate priveledge of watching these two most horrific films of Indian cinema). This year first with Jodha and Akbar then Mr Medhavi (Telugu) and now this, I am on Sonu loving streak! Oh and how can I forget his awesome role in Athadu with Mahesh (Telugu also).
Javed Jafferi is a refreshment. Once again...please let the guy act once in a while rather than creating specifically and with so much dedicated the most horrific comedy roles for him. Om Puri is slightly annoying but that could just be me, Kiron Kher is brilliant, as if she can be anything less than that.
Now to the songs, I hated the songs of Welcome and I hated the songs of Namastey London even more (despite loving the movie to bits) but Sing is Kinng is a rather huge improvement. Maybe its the amazingly flawless placement of the songs that makes them 10 x more endearing on screen than on a CD. Either way they're good, well placed and most importantly the lyrics makes sense!!!
All in all this movie that was so hyped and declared a superduper hit before the release truly lives up to its high expectations, even if they weren't mine. An absolute must watch!!
3.5/5
Singh is Kinng (for those who haven't heard of it, possibly living under a rock if you're into Bollywood cinema) stars Jublee Kumar in other words Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Neha Dhupia and Sonu Sood. Now why did I choose to include just Neha and Sonu from the huge range of supporting cast, you'll see.
The movie in a nutshell is about Happy Singh who is always trying to do good. He will go to any lengths to fix peoples problems and to put a smile on someones face. And this noble trait is not always appreciated because he doesn't always get it right. In the hopes of getting rid of him, his friends plot to send him to Australia to bring back an old friend, Lucky aka Sonu Soon, knowing that Happy would never say no to such a course (Lucky's parents are ill and desperately want to see their son). The journey is stretched when Happy mistakenly gets off in Eyjpt where he meets Sonia aka Katrina Kaif. After a mini adventure in Eyjpt when Happy arrives in Australia he finds that his friend has gone down the wrong path and takes up the noble task to set him right and bring him home to his loved ones. During this time Lucky gets injured and a misunderstanding leads his gang to believe that Happy is to be the new 'King' or Don. The rest of the story is about how Happy whilst being the 'King' carries out the noble tasks that he believes so strongly in and how he plagues everyone with his goodness. In the process helping an auntiji marry of his daughter (Katrina Kaif) even if he is in love with her.
So that is basically the story. Its nothing too complex that people will get confused about. Nor is it run-off-the-mill. And that is the beauty of Singh is Kinng! In a time where Indian makers try to make the most complex movies as possible to impress God knows who, and movies that are only targeted to a particular group of audiences, its rather refreshing to come across a movie that the whole family can sit and enjoy and most importantly take something home with them from it. Singh is Kinng is not one of those comedies that you will forget the minute you work because you've seen 10 other like it, absolutely not.
Anees Bazmi manages to keep the seriousness in the story without boring the audiences nor taking away the comedy genre of the film. The screenplay is gripping and flows beautifully which is perhaps the most challenging task for any film maker. Yes there are about two or three comic sequences that are unrealistic and slightly stupid but apart from that you're quiet suprised that this movie comes from someone who made Welcome. Even the action sequences aren't dragged. Nor are the dramatic or romantic ones.
Akshay Kumar needless to say is the most appropriate person for the role. Not only because of his Punjabi background but because of the life he has lived. He's a genuine human being who is greatful everyday for the stardom he has worked so hard and has finally attained and thats sincerity and down-to-earth nature is what makes him so endearing and appropriate for the role of Happy Singh. And ego filled actor who think he owns the world would not have been able to pull this off with with as much conviction no matter how good of an actor he is. To be Happy Singh someone really has to believe in such a character and from what I saw on screen, Akki definetly did.
Katrina Kaif needs to work ONLY in movies associated with Vipul Amrutlal Shah if thats what it takes to get to hear her real voice and see her act. Last I saw and heard both of those things was Namastay London which was directed by Vipul and this time even if he is not directing he still manages to get the best out of her. She is believable, not annoying and suprisingly very very good. So refreshing. Her Hindi is definetly improving and I think with a tad bit more practise and concentration in dialogue delivery she should be able to dub. If she wants to stick around she needs to work on it because frankly unless I hear an actress's dialogue delivery I will not go ahead and consider them a 100% actress.
Neha Dhupia as promised is the suprise package of the movie that you really get used to seeing on screen. I really hope to see her more often in such credible projects and hopefully with bigger and more influencial roles. Sonu Sood is an absolute delight. I think I am the only person who has ever gone from calling an actor 'cheap' to loving them! I absolutely hated the sight of his face when I saw Sheesha and Aashiq Banaya Aapne(yes I have had the unfortunate priveledge of watching these two most horrific films of Indian cinema). This year first with Jodha and Akbar then Mr Medhavi (Telugu) and now this, I am on Sonu loving streak! Oh and how can I forget his awesome role in Athadu with Mahesh (Telugu also).
Javed Jafferi is a refreshment. Once again...please let the guy act once in a while rather than creating specifically and with so much dedicated the most horrific comedy roles for him. Om Puri is slightly annoying but that could just be me, Kiron Kher is brilliant, as if she can be anything less than that.
Now to the songs, I hated the songs of Welcome and I hated the songs of Namastey London even more (despite loving the movie to bits) but Sing is Kinng is a rather huge improvement. Maybe its the amazingly flawless placement of the songs that makes them 10 x more endearing on screen than on a CD. Either way they're good, well placed and most importantly the lyrics makes sense!!!
All in all this movie that was so hyped and declared a superduper hit before the release truly lives up to its high expectations, even if they weren't mine. An absolute must watch!!
3.5/5