Blame it on the other glorious attempts at sports films that have spoiled us or a lack of soul in this one, there are too many déjà vu moments in the film. It explains itself when in the end, the screen reads, ‘This film is inspired by many true stories’. That’s what we thought.  

The thing about Dilwale is that it over promises and under delivers. In a bid to chase the Bollywood success formula of a masala flick, which Rohit Shetty undisputedly has cracked over the years, this film tried to pack too many punches in one. As a result, none are strong enough.

The film is largely unreal, exaggerated and a not-so-Shaandaar continuation of Bahl’s work.

The filmmakers have however, succeeded in creating a rustic, rural milieu, that lends the right backdrop for the story to unfold. Had it been a work of fiction, the absurdity of the plot would’ve made it a leave-your-brains-at-home kind of comedy/drama. But the fact that this is no fiction and rooted in real life incidents makes the film a pertinent one and relevant too. It goes on to prove that often truth is stranger than fiction and if you don’t have the stomach to digest hard-hitting news, then a sugar-coated capsule like this one is the next best thing.

The film also employs jokes that have been handed down from generations. Since the scenes fail to create an impact, director Anil Kumar Chaudhary takes the aid of abrupt low-key musical insertions that are expected to, at once, make the screen tragic. It does get tragic, but for the audiences, rather than the characters. Despite the poor script, poorer dialogues and co-stars, Saurabh Shukla and Vinay Pathak (Raima to a certain extent) manage to deliver an earnest performance.

Not necessarily in a good way, but the film offers lots of chuckles and a healthy dose of laughter if you endorse the view that too much tragedy is comedy. In other words, it’s so bad, it’s good if you’re one to pick the positives and watch a film just for kicks.

The film does offer some shrieks and shocks if you keep aside rational thinking, and if you’re a horror junkie who’s in it only for the chills, you may walk out sufficiently spooked.

The film gives a few thrills and chills that a horror film does, with its eerie background score and more often the impression of an ambush lurking in the crannies. There are however slip-ups that defy logic and continuity of script. So if you’re one that doesn’t care too much for details and are happy teasing your senses with horror tricks and shocks, this leave-your-brains-at-home horror may appeal to you.

A painstakingly slow narrative fails to engage your senses…

It’s one big déjà vu.

A few goofy dialogues coming at an unprecedented time from the least expected people may take you through till end – if you hadn’t already given up at the point where the baba pours himself a drink before choking a devotee to death, that is.