‘Singham’ isn’t an unwatchable film, but how many times can you watch bad guys being whipped with a belt? Or heads being pummeled by a bare fist? There is such a thing as overkill, after all. I suspect it’s going to make a load of money; I only wish it was a better film. Ajay Devgn fans won’t be disappointed.

‘Singham’ works in bits and pieces, only when Devgn gets fully into his stride, squaring up to Raj as he hits the high notes. The rest is just stitched-up scenery.

All I can personally say about this trend of remaking one-note Southern hits as a viewer is that it’s an exhausting one. It is in the tiny victories that we must seek refuge after a film like this: I’m just glad the hero, so eager to peel off his uniform, left his pants on.

Devgn walks to beats similar to Salman’s Dabanng. He beats the crap out of ruffians outside a village theatre. He restores his woman’s honour. Besotted, she chases him. Audiences think even more highly of the hero. He beats the crap some more.

If you’re looking for an action film to entertain you this weekend, Singham isn’t that film. This wannabe Dabangg is at best a comic film but there are so many other options that could do the job much better. Give this one a miss.

With a lot of noise (read loud) and no substance, SINGHAM brings no
khushi and only gham.

So while Singham does roar his loudest, it doesn’t always frighten.

His usual routine is to first run a mile or so, then jump high up in the air and come down with a thump on the head of whoever is unfortunate enough to be around. He follows that up with the regulatory “Wham! Bam! Pow!” punches and then whips off his belt and goes on a lashing spree. Since all this happens in slo-mo, the film clocks all those extra minutes.