TheReviewMonk is back — critic reviews for Indian cinema, aggregated. Read our story →

TheReviewMonk
Rowdy Rathore backdrop

Rowdy Rathore

1 June 2012Hindi2h 23m
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 11 critic reviews

Akshay carries this loud, derivative masala remake further than it deserves.

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

  • Praised: Akshay Kumar's versatile performance
  • Criticised: Loud, derivative, incoherent plot

Audience

User score 6.3 out of 10 from 3 ratings, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 1 audience review ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 11 critics are saying

Critical reception for Rowdy Rathore is mixed to negative, with most reviewers acknowledging it as a loud, formulaic mass entertainer rooted in south Indian remake conventions. Supporters praised Akshay Kumar's performance across action, comedy, and romance, and pointed to Prabhu Deva's understanding of mainstream audience tastes. Detractors were united in finding the film excessively noisy, derivative of 70s and 80s masala films, and lacking the cohesion of comparable entertainers like Dabangg or Wanted. The film's 139-minute length and thin, patchwork plotting drew repeated criticism.

How the 11 scores spread

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

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

AI-generated summary of 11 critic reviews · may contain errors

Report inaccuracy

From the papers

Critic reviews (11)

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

  1. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    You take 'Rowdy' and look for a word that sounds good with it. What about 'Rathore'? All right. You take the masala films made in the 70s and 80s. Borrow liberally. Patch together a plot, or whatever passes for it. Rope in a star looking for a solo hit. And you get, all together now, 'Rowdy Rathore'.
  2. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    Riddled with an array of loud, lame and specious contrivances, Rowdy Rathore plays out pretty much like a comic-book fantasy rendered in the form of a live-action film. Go for it if you must, but don't expect the earth from it.
  3. Top critic

    Rediff

    Film review ·

    Nothing justifies a 139-minute length, but Akshay Kumar carries both moustache and cop uniform better than his peers -- yes, I include Salman Khan in that comparison, the one whose clothes refuse to stay on -- and while both Khan and Ajay Devgn can competently scowl and maim (and make Lady Gaga claws, if need be), Kumar's way better at playing the fool.
  4. Top critic

    Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    The film is one more in the line of movies — many of which are remakes from the south — that value masala above all else. But Dabangg and even Wanted, the latter of which was also directed by Prabhu Deva, were far more cohesive and compelling. Rowdy Rathore is pure noise. Only the brave should venture in.
  5. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    The premise is a familiar one: a small-time crook, Shiva (Akshay Kumar), feels obliged to step into the shoes of his doppelganger, a lookalike cop named Vikram Rathore, when the fearless officer dies trying to rescue a village from its despotic gang-lord.
  6. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    On the whole, ROWDY RATHORE is designed to magnetize the masses in hordes. The accurate blend of action, emotions, drama and humor, besides a superlative performance by Akshay Kumar, makes this motion picture an immensely pleasurable and delightful movie watching experience. If you savor typical masaledaar fares, this one should be on your have-to-watch listing for certain. Dhamaal entertainer!
  7. Glamsham

    Film review ·

    ROWDY RATHORE has a storyline, unlike a few of the past Bollywood blockbusters that rode heavily on customized fight sequences. More importantly, Prabhu Deva has the pulse of the audience. This one's going to bring the house down. Akshay gets a huge canvass to display action, romance, comedy and dance. It cannot get bigger than this for him!
  8. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    Rowdy Rathore lives up to its name in creating too much noise for no reason. It also marks the end of a sensibility called Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
  9. DNA India

    Film review ·

    Rowdy Rathore is Prabhudheva's second Bollywood film after Wanted, and like the Salman Khan starrer which was easily a mass entertainer, this one treads a similar path. So, it's 70 mm herogiri at its best, further multiplied due to the South ka tadka that comes both from Prabhudheva helming it, but more so since the film itself is a remake of the South film Vikramarkudu.
  10. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    On the whole, Rowdy Rathore is entertaining in parts. You'll enjoy it if you do not have too many expectations. Watch out for the return of Akshay Kumar to some serious comedy and action!
  11. Bollyspice

    Film review ·

    What could have been a whistle-blowing fun ride ends up being a half-baked dish. If you are a Prabhu Deva fan, you will be disappointed. If you are an Akshay fan, you might just end up cheering the loudest for him. Watch this if you are in a mood for some mindless, time pass entertainment this weekend.

From our readers

Audience reviews (1)

3 ratings · user score 6.3

  1. 5/10

    Finally the IPL is over & the South Indian spice was on offer with CSK reaching the finals yet again. So this week Prabhu Deva have decided to spice up the screens with his latest venture "Rowdy Rathore". After the success of "Wanted", "Dabaang" & "Singham", South Indian flavour has been one of the most sought out formula in Bollywood. With Akki returning to the action genre after a hiatus, the audiences are expecting for some fireworks on display. So will the masses get their money's worth??? Remade from the Telugu blockbuster, "Vikramarkudu", the plot has been retained pretty much the same with Shiva (Akki), a small time crook falling in love with Priya (Sonakshi Sinha). However, during one of his con acts he ends up being the guardian to a kid who believes him to be her father. With time, things get even worser as he is subjected to a series of attacks which were not of his doing. So who were these people & why were they after him??? Actually this is Prabhu Deva's second directorial venture in Bollywood after the blockbuster "Wanted". He hasn't tweaked with the aesthetics of the original & packaged it as an action flick with a comic relief. The first half focuses on the lighter moments while the latter half is heavy duty stuff retaining the entertainment quotient throughout with an eye on the masses. From a script point of view, it treads along predictable lines with a larger than life hero who finally bashes the villain to submission against all odds. Undoubtedly the action sequences are the USP of the film which has been choreographed in typical South Indian style. The visuals by Santhosh Thundiyil were fine while the music by Sajid Wajid was average though the mood & choreography imparted to it will have the audience in raptures. Akki is back to his familiar territory as he carries out the dare devilry with elan. Add onto that comedy coupled with goofiness & loud clothing, & viola we get Akki at his best. Though devoid of much scope for her acting skills, Sonakshi Sinha provides the oomph factor with her mid-riff in focus more than her face. Nasser was first rate as the unkempt villain while the rest of the cast seemed fine. Verdict: I wont be surprised if majority of the critics slam the movie but there is no doubt that the movie will have a fantastic initial from all centres. It wont appeal much to the Multiplex audiences, however the single screens should be running to packed houses in many parts of North India. In short, it's the same old stuff but Akki's presence in a South Indian style will appeal to the masses!!! Rating: 2.5/5 Regards...Ben

Credits

Cast & crew

Cast

You may also like

Hindi films like Rowdy Rathore

TMDB

This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.