…is strictly for the hard-core fans of Sunny Deol as the fans of the original instalment are bound to get disappointed. Looking like a 90s affair, the film can be given a miss.

Ghayal Once Again is very old fashioned, rough hewn and klunky. Everything, right from acting to action, is high strung. But it remains curiously engaging till the end.

With this film, if one goes to watch it with an open mind when we consider all the recent offerings from the Deols since “Gadar-Ek Prem Katha,” Deol breaks the barrier from dated to contemporary effortlessly — and very effectively. After all, from the ‘80s onwards, we could call him the original He-Man!

Much, clearly. To start with, unlike most other films that treat sequels as brand franchise, Ghayal Returns is genuinely the second part of Ghayal (1990), where Om Puri’s cop character is now an RTI activist. The hero, who’s lost his whole family, himself sees images from his life from two and half decades ago, when he took on ‘Balwant Rai ke kutto!’

If you’ve seen your fill of action films over the years you’ll really be able to appreciate what Ghayal Once Again serves up in its two-hour runtime. The dramatic bits are inconsistent but even so, the film manages to impress. It’s shot nicely, it’s fast and it takes the right kind of approach to building on the legend of Sunny Deol and Ghayal.

The computer generated scenes are a tad cringeworthy because they are so obviously computer generated. But on the whole the story keeps moving on a predictable path.

While Ghayal was a path-breaking revenge story that won seven Filmfare Awards, this sequel won’t manage as much traction. But if you’re a Sunny Deol fanboy, this one ticks all: lung-tearing screams and crushing punches.

Sunny Deol cries, screams, fights, jumps off trains, runs, falls and occasionally also attempts to act. The last one is especially hard but he is unfazed.

This modern version of the angry young man out to seek justice is more muted than the 1990 film.

I wouldn’t be too quick to dismiss Ghayal Once Again as run-of-the-mill cinematic trash. At best, it could be considered a minor stepping stone to a new aesthetic for easily digestible commercial cinema. At worst, it’s a movie you could watch with your friends for the express purpose of having a good time, preferably after getting high. There are definitely worse ways to spend two hours of your time.

Ghayal Once Again uses the dhai kilo ka haath myth, Sunny’s goodwill, reputation and moral underpinnings, but, it’s a mediocre film. A much lesser film than the original it is leaning on. Director Sunny Deol is not half the director Santoshi still is, but Sunny the angry paaji is still the man he was. Sunny Deol has never been balanced, nuanced, subtle (lol). He only overdoes stuff. Everything. Even now. And I’m eternally grateful for it.

Despite the flaws, Sunny’s idealistic film exudes the sincerity and unbreakable spirit of a common man. If you mess with us, “We will find you and we will punch you.” Watch it.

Ghayal Returns isn’t unwatchable – far from it. But it’s old-fashioned and evokes a distinct sense of déjà vu.

All said and done if you are thinking to watch this film for some strong dialogues and powerful punches, the film doesn’t meet any of it.

This is pure action and Sunny fans are going to have a screaming time in the theatres.

If you’re an Ajay Mehra fan and loved Ghayal, you need to catch the sequel. Sunny’s power-packed performance and the intriguing storyline make Ghayal Once Again an entertaining watch.

‘Ghayal Once Again’ proves that some old wounds don’t heal well
The sequel can’t dislodge memories of the original, but the action is spectacular.

The emotional core is also intact and compensates for the shrill supporting cast and tacky CGI. Deol is sincere and still evokes whistles when he lets loose his right hook. Fans of the Deol brand of action won’t be disappointed.

Sunny Deol and the sequel are disappointing and dated in equal measure…

The action hero returns to serve some old fashioned justice in Ghayal Once Again as the still seething, still suffering Ajay Mehra like only he can. If also it could deliver the stamp of sharp, solid filmmaking like only the man who conceived Ajay Mehra can.

Ghayal Once Again is a throwback to Sunny Deol’s angry common man persona made during the ‘90s. It’s a terribly made film with nothing much to offer except Narendra Jha’s performance as the suave villain. I have borne the pain so that you can live in peace. The ‘dhai kilo ka haath’ shows its age and gives you enough time to duck. So duck.

Ghayal Once Again is a desperate cry from the 90s – a mediocre time we’ve thankfully come ahead of. Not a colossal disappointment but too dated to ring true and a damp squib that discredits the success it won in its prime. 

What do you expect from a Sunny Deol flick? Lots of action, punches and some hard-hitting dialogues? But, his latest outing ‘Ghayal Once Again’ which was earlier titled ‘Ghayal Returns’ lacks in these core Sunny Deol speciality areas.

…comes across as a shoddy and outdated attempt of the classic remake. Fans of Sunny Deol might patronize the movie; however the aam junta might not take a liking to it. As a result the movie will have a tough time at the box office.

The film is earnest and has a few genuine, emotional moments, but is defeated by an outmoded viewpoint and look. It had the potential to be so much more.

Watch this one, even if you are not a Sunny Deol fan. The action sequences are worth your ticket money.

Despite its flaws, this dhai kilo ka haath is worthy of a watch. Because they don’t make heroes like Ajay Mehra anymore.

Sunny Deol the actor is still a lethal weapon and can blow his opponent all the way across the room. Sunny the director should just get out his way.

Ghayal Once Again, in a nutshell, is Sunny Deol (and his antics) unleashed…absolutely unleashed! Does Deol deliver a solid punch in the end to make us clap and whistle? The answer to that one is a thunderous NO!

If you have the courage to bare Sunny Deol’s acting then you can surely watch for it is not as bad as one would expect it to be!

Ajay Mehra has mellowed down and is mature now.  If you wanted to watch him thrash men with his ‘Dhaai Kilo Ka Haat ‘ and scream ‘Balwantrai ke kutton’ get set for disappointment.

…watch Ghayal Once Again at your own risk and only if you can withstand the relentless onslaught it unleashes.

… is a classic case of inferior storytelling, amateur performances and mediocre special effects. A movie best left untouched.

There’s an interesting twist in the second half, but by then you may be too numb to care. After watching this, the question about who is the wounded one — the viewer or the hero — may arise.