More STYLE, Less SUBSTANCE. Review on Tashan

The shower of YRF movies for this year has started and the first one to come is Tashan. There has already been hype for the flick due to the presence of the real-life couples Saif and Kareena and also because of Akshay. And therefore, a lot of expectations were already riding on the film. However, the film fails to meet the expectations and is surely gonna disappoint many. The reason is that the film is one of those types where you have to lock your brains and enjoy the illogical entertainment. And that’s not everyone’s cup for tea.

The story of the movie: A call center executive Jimmy (Saif Ali Khan) is approached by Pooja (Kareena Kapoor). Pooja wanted Jimmy’s help to teach his gangster boss Bhaiyyaji (Anil Kapoor) English. As Jimmy started regularly visiting Bhaiyyaji’s place to teach him English, he also got smitten by Pooja and soon fell in love with her. But Pooja used Jimmy to steal Rs. 25 Crores from Bhaiyyaji and escaped. Bhaiyyaji then calls Bachchan Pandey (Akshay Kumar) from Allahbad to search for Pooja and his money. Jimmy was also compelled to help Bachchan. To find out what happens next, watch the flick.

It would be wrong to say that Tashan is all style and no substance. Tashan has a flawed plot but the execution is what makes it watchable. As I said earlier, the film is completely nonsensical but at the same time entertaining stuff. Just put aside your brain and get entertained for 2 ½ hours! That’s what Tashan is all about.

Tashan’s beginning was excellent. In fact the beginning scene can be termed as one of the best scenes of 2008. Even the introduction of the characters was superb (esp Akshay Kumar!). So where does the film go wrong? The film falls in the second half. Firstly, the first half is just 60 minutes while the second half is 1 ½ hour long. The second hour drags at places and has some ‘yawning’ moments. Also, the action sequences, though funny, are nonsensical. Remember those action scenes of 90s where the hero simultaneously attacks 10-15 ‘goondas’ and even though wins? That’s what you’ll see in Tashan! And if you like all this, you’ll love the flick!

All the four main actors’ performances were good but they cannot be termed as ‘outstanding’. Saif Ali Khan plays his part perfectly and it is good to see him sporting a new look in all his latest films! However, we don’t get to see him much in the 2nd half.

Kareena was….wow! She looks charming and charms with her wonderful performance! She gracefully plays the role of ‘beauty with brains’ girl. Her performance is not as terrific like the one in Jab We Met, but though, it works!

Akshay Kumar is the saving grace of the movie. Actually, the reason why people will like this film a bit is because of Akshay! His entry scene was marvelous, and he carried out his character with utmost perfection! What I like most about Akshay that in each film, we get to see something new in his acting.

Anil Kapoor hardly entertains in the movie. His English-Hindi accent was funny only in parts and sometimes it was difficult to understand him. This works against his character.

Manoj Pahwa and Sanjay Mishra don’t manage to raise laugh. Yashpal Sharma was okay.

Vishal-Shekhar’s music was amazing and the biggest plus point of the movie! All the five songs are unique compositions and the music director duo proves their capability yet again! All the five songs, ‘Dil Haara’, ‘Chhaliya’, ‘Dil Dance Maare’, ‘Tashan Mein’ and ‘Falak Tak’ are rocking! Special mention should be made of the lyrics of ‘Dil Dance Maare’. The lyrics written by Vishal Dadlani are simply superb and the words and the phases in the song are simply awesome!

Ranjit Barot’s background score was stylish, especially the one for Akshay Kumar. Ayananka Bose’s cinematography was perfect. Peter Hain’s action sequences were clichéd but were cool!

Vijay Krishna Acharya, the director of Tashan, also wrote the story, screenplay and dialogues. His direction was wonderful and he has all what it takes to become the topmost director. But he made the movie too long and too boring especially in the second half. Also, the film is not at all believable! But his dialogues, in some sequences, were quite good.

Some of the best scenes of the movie:

1.    The first scene of the movie (Terrific!)

2.    The songs ‘Dil Haara’, ‘Chhaliya’, ‘Dil Dance Maare’

3.    Akshay’s entry (excellent!)

4.    The intermission point

5.    The action sequence in Rajasthan

6.    Akshay’s tragic tale!

7.    Kareena’s flashback

8.    The climax

On the whole, Tashan is less substance, more style. The dragging 2nd half and the clichéd sequences in the 2nd half is all what goes against the film. If you are the one who just want to pass your 2.30 hours with an entertaining nonsensical stuff similar to Hindi action flicks of 90s, this one’s for you!

(MAKE SURE YOU REACH THE THEATRE WELL BEFORE TIME SO THAT YOU CAN CATCH 3 EXCITING PROMOS OF THE FORTHCOMING FILMS OF YRF-ROADISDE ROMEO (the latest promo), THODA PYAAR THODA MAGIC & BACHNA AE HASEENO. ALL THE THREE FILMS LOOK COOL AND HOPEFULLY WILL BE BETTER THAN TASHAN)

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