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Boss

16 October 2013Hindi2h 23mPart 1 of the Boss series
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 20 scored reviews · 5 not rated

Akshay carries this formulaic, overlong masala remake further than it deserves.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Akshay Kumar's star presence
  • Criticised: weak script and lazy writing

Audience

User score 2.0 out of 10 from 2 ratings, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 1 audience review ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 24 critics are saying

Critical reception for Boss skews negative to mixed, with the majority of reviewers finding it a formulaic, overlong masala remake with little originality. Nearly all critics, regardless of their overall verdict, acknowledged Akshay Kumar's screen presence and comic timing as the film's primary saving grace. Common criticisms include a weak, clichéd story, poor writing, mindless action, and a runtime that outstays its welcome. Several reviewers noted the film would appeal mainly to fans of old-school commercial cinema while offering little to general audiences.

How the 20 scores spread

5 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

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

AI-generated summary of 24 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (25)

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

  1. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    Boss, needless to say, is Akshay Kumar's film all the way and there are several moments in it when he comes across as perfectly cut out for such antics.
  2. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    The lines overall are cringe-making, and aimed at those who find a truck named 'Behen Ki Lorry' funny. Really, Akshay?
  3. Top critic

    Firstpost

    Film review ·

    Boss expects you to laugh in the face of amazing stupidity. The jokes would struggle to make a guy attached to a nitrous oxide cylinder budge a facial muscle. The highlight of the film is a joke where Boss saves a woman and bestows his brotherly affection towards her by naming his truck 'Behen ki lorry'.
  4. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    BOSS is a full-on masala entertainer that's very clear of its intent. It is designed to magnetize lovers of desi commercial cinema and woo the BO. If you savor and relish old-school masaledaar entertainers, BOSS is sure to win you over. Watch this one -- it's a paisa vasool entertainer!
  5. Zee News

    Film review ·

    This is a fast-paced, zany, full-on masala fare. There is a tempting swagger to Akshay`s performance matched by the narration`s tidal tempo. Irresistible energy and endearing gusto underline the show`s voracious appetite for a comic kill.
  6. DNA India

    Film review ·

    A complete paisa vasool experience at the movies, Boss is an overdue treat for Akshay Kumar fans who have been waiting for him to return to his forte. A true mainstream entertainer in every sense, this Boss does pack a solid punch!
  7. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    To cut a long story short, Boss solely relies on Akshay's star power and he carries the film on his shoulders with aplomb. It's his dialoguebazi and filmygiri that make you smile, no matter how corny the one-liners.
  8. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    Akshay Kumar starrer Boss manages to indulge you in a feast of thrilling ugly action and crackling comedy with its crude and rustic premise. The film absorbs you in its tottering plot despite its puerile humor and thunderous action! Somehow even with all its blunders,because of Akshay Kumar alone Boss works. Though at points I found the film horrendously bizarre, I admittedly found myself getting entertained in several parts of the film. Giving a 2.5/5, the film is worth the price of your ticket compensating well in the enjoyment quotient, the value of every penny you put into this! Akshay Kumar single handedly saves the film from being a sore bore and that is reason enough why Boss deserves a definite shot!
  9. Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    If you are an Akshay Kumar fan and appreciate his comic timing, watch this one. But if action is not your favourite genre, you have the full danger of coming out feeling as battered and beaten as one of those innumerable goons in the film.
  10. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    So when almost everything about the film is wrong, you are still not supposed to question anything. A general viewer reaction to the mediocrity of this film was 'what else do you expect from a film like this?' So with the frequent flow of such unapologetically self-proclaimed mindless action films, our basic expectations are so downsized that even distasteful dishes have turned easily edible.
  11. Mumbai Mirror

    Film review ·

    I've had my fill with these South Indian action-comedy remakes and I suspect you have too. But it is said the customer is the boss and it is ultimately your decision to buy a ticket or not. If Akki slapping around a few people makes you feel any better, go for it.
  12. NowRunning

    Film review ·

    Despite being an age-old cinema, Akshay Kumar's Boss will find its takers among the ones who have been making films like Chennai Express record-breaking hits. The movie for the others will prove to be highly mediocre.
  13. Rediff

    Film review ·

    Boss is hell bent on assaulting the eardrums and senses with a vigorous spectacle of mindless action and screeching soundtrack. Given the low benchmark of this genre, it's akin to praise when I say Boss is neither as absurd as Rowdy Rathore nor as ghastly as Policegiri.
  14. The Navhind Times

    Film review ·

    The good news is that Boss is not as bad as some of Akshay Kumars other films. But if you leave those abysmal standards aside, it is still a lousy film with an asinine story and that is the bad news.
  15. TimeOut

    Film review ·

    Boss, in all fairness, isn't appalling by Kumar's standards, and that's the best thing that can be said about it. The director seems to have some sense of how to tell a story, even though it's largely functional.
  16. India Today

    Film review ·

    At around 2 hours and 25 minutes, Boss is way too long. There are very few scenes that are actually funny in this supposed entertainer.

From our readers

Audience reviews (1)

2 ratings · user score 2.0

  1. sophia ajazOct 2013
    1/10

    BOSS: Baas Maarta Hai! Do you all really expect to read a review? I won't believe that, especially after debacles called MKBKM, MKH, DAVID, DMD, VISHWAROOP, DKLS, I ME AUR MAIN, SBAGR, 3G, EK THI DAAYAN, BOMBAY TALKIES, GO GOA GONE, AURANGZEB, YPD 2, GHANCHAKKAR, SATYAGRAHA, ZANJEER, HIMMATWALA, CHENNAI EXPRESS, PPNK, BESHARAM and now BOSS. When we've BIGG BOSS 7 for free, why'd we watch another BOSS and that too paying for a ticket for another mindless flick (outrageous after BESHARAM). And it is a Wednesday release too like B. People've forgotten to learn from others' mistakes and want to make their own expensive blunders. This year doesn't favour stars and big budget movies. And this one comes minus the regular side-show called a heroine to deflect attention. Had I got the ticket free too, I'd've expected a free Tylenol, pop, popcorn, to-'n-fro fare, hourly pay, and wasting time on festive day. But had I had a good sleep while watching it, I'd ask for a proxy review writer too. I can visualise whatever viewers with red faces and steam coming out of their ears and snarling teeth/jaws. (Never mind exaggeration. Imagination can do funny things when one wants to be happy in the face of a head-ache.) It's about time; filmmakers started the tradition of throwing a pre-release party for soon-to-be-declared festive failure fare. I'd like to know such rich producers. Even I've ideas (of course, for making an intelligent movie. Just finished numbering the pages with the last number being 7867867... Mind u, this is not FB likes number.) I'm so disgusted with this BS show that doesn't entertain. I enjoy movies. I laugh. And then I write heartily about them. But same kachra, week after week. No novelty. Hero heroines make load of cash. Then promote their movies to "go and watch in cinemas only" and what do we get after paying for hefty tickets. I've better things to do. I'm not getting adequate gaaliyan to print for BOSS. It has a dated look. Same stale stuff. Suffice it to say, that no one can write a review for this movie as there is simply no story. If you are missing mother Nirupa Roy, see Mithun Chakraborty, who'll beat her dead and win the Mother title hands down. Sicko! It is time new younger heroes were brought on screen. Akshay shows his age. Dyed hair, sagging skin and at 46, he can complement the evergreen buddha of Hindi movies, who goes on and on, on the basis of crass marketing, media and money. This is the limit. We want to see 20+ hero heroines. Remember BITTOO BOSS? These 40+/50+/60+/70+ should act as fathers and grandfathers NOW. Why should we see new wigs, dentures, botox skin, glasses, nose jobs, and flab? Why should we contribute for their medical conditions and equipment? They are beyond makeup stage. Why aren't the young and beautiful given a chance instead of promoting these qabar ke murde? Watch this one alone as it is better to cry alone. Or if you wish to cry then why not sit at home

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