Of Diminishing interests in a superstar !. Review on Don 2

Before I come up with a review of the sequel to a remake of an original cult film, I must confess that I was a die-hard SRK fan (and probably the oldest - since his Deewana days) till about recently. There were times when I was ready to pick an argument with someone who dared to question his star power or ridiculed his movies and performances. But my level of interest in the major star started waning after a few recent interviews of his where he was at his cockiest, arrogant best, passing cringe-worthy remarks. I decided that it was more bearable to watch him perform in films rather than view his pretentious interviews Then Ra.One came and watching it left me wonder what happened to the person who once upon a time was sheer delight to watch on the big screen.

Ra.One almost destroyed all hopes for me. It was so shocking to see him involve in such tasteless cinema in the name of entertainment that I was no longer an SRK fan, forget being a fanatic. But then, Don 2 was round the corner. I thought everyone deserves another chance. So I waited, though my decade-old opinion of the guy had taken a severe beating.

I watched Don 2 today, and considering how much Farhan Akhtar had decided to focus on Don the character and his one-liners rather than the screenplay, it is but natural for me to dedicate a major part of the review to SRK the actor, the star. In the film, all of SRK's energy is spent on what his critics find faulty in his performances - the trademark snigger, quivering and pouting of lips, furrowing the eyebrows et al. In other words, actions that can best be described as unnecessary to the point of testing the audience's patience. I do understand the importance of arrogance in a character that has been re-shaped for the 'sensibilities' of today's viewers, but SRK clearly overdoes the arrogance bit that ruined the movie - watching experience in more ways than one.

Coming back to the technicalities of the film, they're top-notch, as the consensus say. This is a film that is undoubtedly well-shot with awesomely-choreographed action sequences involving fights and car-chases. This is Bollywood at its slickest. As far as the screenplay goes, there are moments aplenty in the first hour and a half that can be deemed interesting, but not interesting enough to not let the audience squirm in seats. The film never really takes off beyond the first 20 minutes involving SRK's intro and the jail sequences. The story-telling is incoherent, full of set-pieces that look pretty to look at and probably fine enough when left on their own, but somehow end up being lacklustre when put together to form a jigsaw. The final forty minutes or so forming the climax are the best part of the enterprise that makes one sit up and notice Farhan's flashes of brilliance, but it's sort of late by then. Only if the film was as consistent in the remaining 90 minutes, it would have been an entirely different and exciting experience altogether.

Music is ordinary despite the title track that grows on you, and the performances from the supporting cast are ordinary. Om Puri looks out of plae and so does Boman Irani. Priyanka looks ravishing but that's about it. Kunal Kapoor is just about okay.

This is a film that could still have been better had it not been for SRK'S unnecesary and energetic demonstration of his hamming abilities. Not a bad film by any stretch of imagination, but this is not the Farhan I admired - the man behind a cult classic Dil Chahta hai, the man whose production house has given such immensely watchable films like Luck By Chance, Rock On and Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara. I sincerely hope this puts an end to the Don franchise.

As far as Shah Rukh Khan is concerned, terribly disappointed with his performance - is all I can say. Come on man, give us a Swades/Chak De moment again. Even an MNIK would do. Anything minus the trademark SRK. Enough is enough. I implore you - earnestly.

Go for the technical brilliance if you can, and don't keep your expectations too high. You might just like it.