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

TheReviewMonk
Simmba backdrop

Simmba

28 December 2018Hindi2h 39m
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 19 scored reviews · 3 not rated

Ranveer carries this loud masala entertainer despite its hollow women's empowerment arc.

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

  • Praised: Ranveer Singh's performance and energy
  • Criticised: Sidelining of female characters

Audience

User score 5.1 out of 10 from 8 ratings, Unfavorable
Read 6 audience reviews ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 21 critics are saying

Critical reception for Simmba is mixed-to-positive, with many reviewers acknowledging it as an effective masala entertainer that delivers on its commercial promises. Ranveer Singh's energy and screen presence is the most consistently praised element across reviews, with several critics noting he elevates material that might otherwise fall flat. Technical aspects including cinematography, action choreography, and production values also drew favorable mentions. The most common criticisms center on a weak, formulaic script and the film's handling of women's issues — multiple critics pointed out the contradiction of a film positioning itself around women's empowerment while giving its female characters little meaningful screen time or agency.

How the 19 scores spread

3 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

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

AI-generated summary of 21 critic reviews · may contain errors

Report inaccuracy

From the papers

Critic reviews (22)

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

  1. Top critic

    Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    A relentless Ranveer Singh and Rohit Shetty ensure that this film is not just ahead of Ajay Devgn's Singham but far superior to Salman Khan's genre-defining Dabangg.
  2. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    The only reason to watch Simmba is Ranveer Singh. The actor is fully alive to the moment, knowing that he is working in a template, aware that he has to keep breaking out.
  3. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    Simmba is the kind of film that derides toxic masculinity while ill-advisedly celebrating unbridled virility as a necessary component of law enforcement. Instill fear in the hearts of the wrongdoers, Singham advises Simmba. And how, pray, do you do that? Simmba advocates throwing due process out the window and embracing another flagrant form of lawlessness. And that can only be dangerous.
  4. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    SIMMBA is a sure-shot winner, no two opinions about it. This one will storm the boxoffice. 2018 is sure to conclude with a roar!
  5. Bollywood Life

    Film review ·

    Anyone who has watched The Lion King, would first think of the cute little lion cub from the film when thinking of Simmba. Not anymore. Ranveer Singh is here to steal the name and also the roar. Simmba provides complete bang for your buck. But it will also make you rue all the years Rohit Shetty and Ranveer Singh have wasted without collaborating. And it will make you wish they come together again and soon. Simmba will ensure you end the year on a high. Watch it with your family and ideally in a single-screen theatre for the complete experience.
  6. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    All said and done, Simmba gives us a combo we could cherish forever. The energies of Rohit Shetty & Ranveer Singh just create a combinatorial explosion on screen. The best masala entertainer of the year & it's for everyone out there. JUST WATCH IT!
  7. Rediff

    Film review ·

    Simmba is a dhamaka from the start till the end. The cinematography is excellent. Shots establishing Simmba's entry and the action sequences bring you much needed thrills.
  8. Sify

    Film review ·

    The film has ace technical values with excellent production values, brilliant cinematography, skilfully choreographed action sequences, fine editing and intensely dazzling background score. The songs mesh seamlessly into the narrative. They are melodious with catchy tunes and are well picturised.
  9. DNA India

    Film review ·

    Simmba is tried and tested 80s Bollywood formula.  But what the hell?  If redux songs can be a super hit, retelling formula, 1000-times-over can also be super fun.  Go for Simmba with a whistle and a packet of kurkure.  This is masala, just  ENJOY!
  10. IBNLive

    Film review ·

    Simmba- the film, undoubtedly, will benefit from this embrace and will add up to magical numbers, taking Ranveer Singh to the new stratosphere of stardom, where he clearly belongs.
  11. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    Simmba is a potboiler that you expect it to be, where the good surely outweighs the bad. There are enough paisa vasool moments including the cameo by the original Singham, Ajay Devgn. And it doesn't end there. Shetty leaves you with a parting shot of another superstar already revealing the first look of his offering in 2019.
  12. India Glitz

    Film review ·

    Simmba is a perfect finish for Bollywood and movie goers. The film offers the most important aspect that cinema evolved for – ENTERTAINMENT, that too unlimited. Leave your logic and brains outside, might have a good time.
  13. India Today

    Film review ·

    No one does masala films like Rohit Shetty. But when he decides to infuse a moral lecture into the mix, that is where a film falters. Simmba suffers from the same curse.
  14. NowRunning

    Film review ·

    A street smart orphan realises that the corrupt cops have money and power, so he grows up to become one. Ranveer Singh crackles in the title role of Simmba and wins us over in this simple tale of bad cop turning into gold. Eminently watchable!
  15. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    Simmba boils down to yet another poorly pencilled script that tries to compensate it's shortcomings with every other ludicrous means.
  16. Film Companion

    Film review ·

    The most disheartening part about Simmba is its bipolar pursuit of relevance. The setup was the film; there was no need to embrace the guileless-sermon path. Just letting Singh play the fool, without hindrance, might have finally lent credence to the Rohit Shetty School of non-storytelling.
  17. Masala

    Film review ·

    It's ironical, and highly unforgivable, that a movie that attempts to empower women, doesn't even give its female characters much to do, barring handing them token lines so their Simmba can play hero.
  18. LiveMint

    Film review ·

    Singham turns up, which should surprise no one. To hear Devgn grunt his lines is to become grateful all over again for Singh's fleet presence, even if it's weighed down by the cartoon violence and endless posturing that make Shetty such a popular, if critically reviled, director. As a late scene makes clear, the Shetty-verse isn't done growing. But more than expanded universes, what commercial Hindi cinema needs right now is broadened world views.

From our readers

Audience reviews (6)

8 ratings · user score 5.1

  1. Mohd DanishDec 2018
    2/10

    Same temper movie hai aur wo hi dabbang typ hai singam typ kuch new nahi hai jinko maar dhaar pasand hai unko acchi lagegi aur ajkal toh critics ke review pe movie Jana hi nahi chahiye jitna naam utna paisa utna star karan johar ne AI dil hai mushkil ke tym 25 lakh krk ko diye the audio hai news reporter puchre hai krk se apna paisa yeh log ke jeb may jara hai mai ne kgf aur zero nahi dekhi simmba ke liye aur yeh mila dekhne 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮 kuch naya nahi tha

  2. 3/10

    Slightly entertaining in the first half, but filled with cringey humour. Keeps getting worse with every passing minute.

  3. Tejas NairMar 2019
    2/10

    Rohit Shetty's Simmba is made to appeal to the masses - with an overacting, highly energetic, and corrupt cop (Ranveer Singh) who comes to his senses after a tragedy and pulls up his socks to right his wrongs - using the most absurd narrative for a film you have seen since Golmaal Again (2017) but you already knew that. TN.

  4. MoviebazzMay 2019
    10/10

    Ranveer's energetic performance is the main achieve in this commercial masala.

  5. 5/10

    'Simmba' is a film which has an awful emotional quotient and an average form. But with Ranveer Singh playing a fun corrupt cop, the film eventually starts working, and the climax is here. I know I am being a massive contrarian here, but yes, I enjoyed Simmba. You can atleast be this generous for Rohit Shetty. He only knows how to pull off comfort in the mass movies. And 'Simmba' offers a good slice of the mainstream. Ranveer Singh pulls off the old world charm in a no-nonsense, corrupt but sensible performance, and Rohit shines in his best film. 'Simmba' is unhealthy, but deliciously creative entertainment with all the element all over the place, and style of substance, flight of fancy. Cop universe's got its finest supercop- I mean their Captain America. I am going with 2.5 for 'Simmba'. Its very problematic, but Ranveer's performance makes the score go up the scale.

Credits

Cast & crew

Cast

You may also like

Hindi films like Simmba

TMDB

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