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Hero backdrop

Hero

11 September 2015Hindi1h 42m
out of 10
Unfavorablemost critics didn't like it
Monk Score · 28 scored reviews · 13 not rated

A hollow remake saved only by its debutants' charm and Salman's title track.

Verdict tier Unfavorable, most critics didn't like it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: debutants' earnest performances
  • Criticised: weak script and poor direction

Audience

User score 4.8 out of 10 from 4 ratings, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 2 audience reviews ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 37 critics are saying

Critical reception for Hero is largely negative, with the majority of reviewers finding it a tired, unimaginative remake of the 1983 original that offers little in the way of script, direction, or meaningful updates to the source material. The most consistent praise across reviews is directed at the two debutants, Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty, whose earnest performances and perceived potential are acknowledged even by critics who panned the film overall. Salman Khan's title track in the end credits is frequently singled out as a highlight, with several critics noting it generates more energy than the film itself. Common criticisms center on a weak, predictable script, poor direction from Nikhil Advani, and the film's failure to justify the remake's existence beyond providing a launch pad for star kids.

How the 28 scores spread

13 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 37 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (41)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    This is lazy, indifferent filmmaking, and a colossal bore for most of its running time. A video featuring Salman Khan singing the terrific title track at the end is too little too late.
  2. Top critic

    Rediff

    Film review ·

    The new Hero is a mess; the new kids are too dull ...Nikhil Advani's Hero remake follows the template of the original, which may not have been the wisest course of action...
  3. Top critic

    Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    The only reasonably enjoyable moment is in the end credits, when co-producer Salman Khan shows up to sing a song. Don't get carried away, though. Even that's not worth sitting through the rest of it.
  4. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    The end of Sooraj Pancholi, Athiya Shetty film brings relief, with Sallu Bhai working the end credits, exuding more star power in two minutes than we've seen in two hours. This 'Hero' is a zero.
  5. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    Sculpted as a full throttle masala entertainer, Hero is plot-heavy. And while you are well acquainted with the story, Nikhil and Salman's sensibility works as midas touch, giving the film a different texture. It is slick and never allows its viewers to feel restless. For its 132 minutes' crisp runtime, Hero offers bucketful of entertainment and victoriously conveys that commercial movies needn't be puerile to show people a good time.
  6. DNA India

    Film review ·

    Despite a shoddy story line and a weak script, Hero will be worth your money. And it's majorly Sooraj and Athiya's earnest efforts that will set the ball rolling for the film. Here's to Bollywood's two new discoveries!
  7. Zee News

    Film review ·

    ...the camera work has used certain innovative techniques, and it was a good decision to use slow motion for fight chase, as it doubles the effect on viewers. 'Main Hun Hero Tera' by Salman Khan will definitely rush you to the cinema halls, we are sure. So, grab a ticket a watch this one to see the new-age 'hero' and 'heroine'.
  8. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    Hero is not Kal Ho Na Ho or D-Day, it is a rather faulty film made by the same director. Only half-entertaining, the film is more like a promotional video for Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty that doesn't require a solid plot. Nonetheless, for Bollywood buffs this is a decent watch with great music and the typical 'Hindi cinema' storyline.
  9. Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    The best thing comes at the end. When you see Salman Khan crooning 'Main Hoon Hero Tera'. You wish some of that easy charm had rubbed off on the film.
  10. NDTV

    Film review ·

    Overall, this Hero is below mediocre fare except for the lead pair's straightforward performances.
  11. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    HERO fails the litmus test of rehashing a classic for the Generation Next. It appeals in very small measures and is not an ideal weekend entertainer. If you a die-hard Salman Khan fan, you may want to patronise, else avoid.
  12. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    Hero rhymes with zero and it's tempting, for the sake of the headline and because in the first five minutes of the film my hand went lurking about in search of an eject button, to just write off this film as a big, fat zero.
  13. FridayMoviez

    Film review ·

    Unfortunately even as the anticipations and expectations from Nikhil Advani's 'Hero' were very high, it fails to deliver what was expected from it. Frankly, Advani's 'Hero' comes nowhere even close to original 'Hero' directed by veteran Subhash Ghai in any department. We are going for two stars for 'Hero'. Watch it only if you have nothing better to do this weekend and if indeed you have something very special to do, you can easily skip this one.
  14. India

    Film review ·

    There are action scenes in the start and towards the end of the film which are unreal and highly dramatic. Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty's Hero is strictly meant for all those who have grown up on a diet of Bollywood movies and are fond of those typical romantic love stories.
  15. Mumbai Mirror

    Film review ·

    The Hero that catapulted Jackie Shroff and Meenakshi Sheshadri to instant stardom had songs like Lambi Judai and Tu Mera Hero which can be partly credited, as they'd factor in the success of films then. But the predictable plot featuring a union of partners from disparate conditions: rich and poor, cop and robber, coolie and client, was passable even though over-utilised then. Today, this photocopy with no plot tweaks seems little more than a tired effort.
  16. Rediff

    Film review ·

    Unsurprisingly, this struggle to fit a modern-day romance in a dated template prompts a patchy, wobbly, bizarre, humourless drama proving an uphill task for two rank newcomers to tackle.
  17. The Navhind Times

    Film review ·

    apart from launching new 'stars' these remakes actually serve no purpose. To begin with, the filmmakers don't have enough grounds to believe that they will better or even come close matching the original. So if that is the case, why bother in the first place?
  18. Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    Aditya Pancholi has a dialogue in the film which goes like, "Khota hai par apna hai." This sums up the idea behind presenting Sooraj Pancholi as 'the' hero. Yes, I know, I said that in the beginning as well. Then who's the real hero of this 131-minute film? Salman Khan. Why? Haven't you heard his soulful number 'main hoon hero' yet?
  19. India Today

    Film review ·

    Producer Salman Khan, who is also the singer of the only tolerable track in the film, continues his rather poor innings as a supporter and encourager of new talent in Bollywood. Pancholi and Shetty will hope that they get a second shot at glory. Hero is a debut film that makes Saawariya and Student of the Year seem good movies. That says a lot about the film itself.

From our readers

Audience reviews (2)

4 ratings · user score 4.8

  1. Md Issa HoqueSept 2015
    9/10

    Best of this year n sallu brought another blockbuster m

  2. Tejas NairSept 2015
    2/10

    Newcomers have a tough time staying afloat in the volatile entertainment industry. In 2020, when there will be no trace of either of the lead actors of this film, we can finally corroborate that the previous statement is, in fact, true. After he's done with his theatrics, heroics, and groovy dance moves, Sooraj (Pancholi Jr.) is assigned the task of kidnapping the daughter (Shetty) of the city's Inspector General (Dhulia) by his gangster-turned-politician father (Pancholi Sr.) on grounds of political vendetta. Soon idiotic dialogs encapsulate the drama that has the power to put off its viewers, because in here arguments turn into long-winded sessions of romance, and kidnappers fool around with their captive. Just because the original villain is the real life father of the so-called hero of the film, he's not sent to the gallows at the end. But worry not, because we have some random villains kicking the bucket. It is basically a love story where the characters use words like "calculate" & "alt+shift+delete" to describe the situations. You now know what you're looking at. Pancholi Jr. has a long way to go if he wants to stick to acting that is not solely driven by his toned body, and Shetty may want to check her options. Taking a French bath and screaming your lungs out is not considered acting. Dhulia is the only good man in the film which eventually drags the hell out to reach a point of stagnancy. BOTTOM LINE: Hero has a tried and tested story, but the actors playing the characters are like a bunch of toddlers who are yet to grow milk teeth. GRADE: F Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

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