We all got to see what Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was about in his first film, MSG: The Messenger. The Dera Saccha Sauda leader amazed us ( not in a good way) with his ability to injure 100 men with a punch, heal things by emitting blue rays from his palm, get down with it to songs like You Are My Love Charzzer ( Charger) , and a lot more. Well if you thought that was it, gear up for MSG-2: The Messenger. The ridiculousness is grander in this one, where our Guruji is flying a lot more and fighting CGI elephants. I’m stunned to a whole new level and truly there are no words. Yet, I’m having a cup of tea to lessen my headache and trying to come up with something to write to give you guys a slight idea about the film, though I’m not sure if the dread I experienced can ever be put down in words. Anyway, let me try…
What’s it about:
So, the film begins with a grand introduction to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insaan, the messenger of God. He is shown rescuing a kid from fire, flying with him the next minute ( like duh) and taking a dive into an ocean, which appears out of nowhere, to cool himself. The background score during this sequence is “Msg.msg.msg.” Where the last time Guruji’s mission was to stop a bombing mission, this time the Dera Saccha Sauda leader is all for protecting tribals ( adivasis) from being killed by the army and government officials. You see, these adivasis are very dangerous and are attacking the army officials. As a result, the CM of the state has been asked to get these tribal people killed by Pujari, a wannabe modern day Gabbar Singh. But Guruji says no, and ends up protecting the adivasis and curing their “madness” with love. After all they are humans too, says Guruji with an extended hairy arm. As a result, the adivasis are now wearing western attires and dancing with Guruji. Meanwhile, an army officer is crying over the death of his pal, who was killed by the adivasis. His mission is to get em’ all and avenge his friend’s death. But how will he do that when the adivasis are being protected by their Guruji? Oh well! MSG does a LOT in the sequel; he fights a CGI elephant and rides it the next minute, splits an arrow with his finger, makes a male police officer ( who wears lip gloss) realize the importance of love and helps a pregnant woman ( who is for some reason frothing from her mouth) , with her baby’s delivery. Soon there arrives a new problem- Ajgar and his bae Chabuki. The two are leaders of the Adivasi clan and are sulking over their bros having turned followers of Guruji. Ajgar and Chabuki lose their sh* t and are coming for Guruji. How does the latter deal with it? What magic do his hairy arms do next? I stayed put to find out and I dare you to do the same!
What’s hot
There’s a scene with a St. Bernard ( a dog) in it. That dog is the only element worth seeing in the film. Yeah, that’s about it.
What’s not
To start with, the dog has very limited screen space. After all the absurdity I have borne, this is my ultimate qualm with MSG- 2: The Messenger. Apart from this, what’s obviously putting off is the agenda behind this film- to advertise Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan as God. Imagine watching the worst comercial of your life with pathetic music. Torture, right? Now imagine the comercial being two and a half hour long. Well, MSG surpasses that. It comes with unbelievable CGI effects, a regressive mindset, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan’s blingy clothes and hairy arms ( with really curly hair, in case you didn’t notice) . And above all, tribals who start wearing western clothes. I can sit back and make a mockery out of this film as that’s a very obvious thing to do. But MSG-2 needs to be criticized on a serious level for its representation of tribals. Initially, they are shown as violent and obscene. Their culture of cannibalism is ridiculed and they are termed as mentally sick. What apparently “cures” them is Guruji’s love and protection. The tribals give up their lifestyle, start wearing western clothes ( Yes, I can’t get over it) and following Guruji. So basically, they were abnormal before Guruji came flying about and soon become worthy of acceptance under their messenger’s guidance. How vile is that? Now I would like to speak about our beloved Guruji’s hypocritical ways. He says hatred can be cured with love and non violence. The next minute he is shown injuring hundred men with one blow. And the audience’s reaction? Claps, whistles and cheers ( this happened in the theatre I was at) . I wonder why we sit back and criticise Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan when it’s the followers who need to be called out because God men exist as we create and encourage them. Lastly, there is the repeated reinforcement of how much Guruji has done for this society. But looking at the sick amount of money spent in this venture, it only convinces me that this Godman is just that, and no messiah as he is portrayed to be.
