This film a below mediocre fare that will appeal to animal lovers.

Vidyut Jammwal’s action-adventure film is well-intentioned but lazily executed

What could have been an extraordinary movie fails to hit the mark…

In India, films that target children (as this one is touted to be) seem to think that kids need messages to be hammered into them as they are unable to grasp any nuance. Junglee follows this same playbook and is too much in love with its leading man for it to have any meaningful impact.

There is a sweet stray dog and magnificent tuskers and an unintended nostalgia unleashed for Haathi Mere Saathi. I came out raving about Kulkarni’s fitness and agility and Jammwal’s voice and jawline. But that wasn’t quite the point of the film, was it?

Vidyut Jammwal is a dab hand at action, and those bits are watchable. He is fluid and graceful and believable as he kicks and chops his way in and out of trouble.

Vidyut Jammwal film is richly mounted but a poorly narrated tale…

Let me be clear – I didn’t go in looking for complexity. Junglee could’ve played like a fun action adventure. One of my fondest childhood memories is watching Haathi Mere Saathi which had Rajesh Khanna cavorting with four elephants. I don’t remember what the film was about but I remember the delight I felt when I saw it. I was really hoping that Junglee would recreate some of that magic.

Elephants have been such delightful protagonists in previous Hindi films that one would be forgiven for expecting Junglee, headlining action hero Vidyut Jammwal to showcase more pachyderm playfulness. Alas, this one takes the dull and dreary route to belabour the point about the peaceful co-existence of man and beast.

JUNGLEE is a clichéd revenge drama and reminiscent of the 80s and 90s action fare. The use of elephants might attract a section of audiences but in the long run, it’s bound to suffer at the ticket windows.

Vidyut Jammwal is a dream to watch…

Watch Junglee for its spellbinding action, cute elephants and gorgeous jungles. Such an adventurous and brave attempt is rare in Hindi cinema.