A hollow copy of the 1973 classic that never earns its own existence.
Verdict tier Unfavorable, most critics didn't like it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for this remake of the 1973 classic is overwhelmingly negative, with most reviewers finding it a poor imitation that fails to justify its own existence. The few relatively positive notices praise Ram Charan's brooding screen presence and the film's action sequences as competent entertainment for mass audiences. The dominant criticism across reviews is that the film is a weak, poorly executed copy of the original, with several critics explicitly questioning why the remake was made at all. A small minority found it a passable, fast-paced entertainer, but even they tempered praise with acknowledgment of its formulaic nature.
2 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 14 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
The filmmakers have been carefully calling it a "tribute", and they have added a couple of elements which weren't in the older film, but to me it was a neither here-nor-there thing: it's neither faithful remake nor campy, knowing tribute. It's just a poor copy. So why?
Top critic
Film review ·
I'm going with zero out of five, for the new 'Zanjeer'. Without belittling their year-long battle with the film's makers to be compensated for remaking their script, one has to wonder if screenwriters Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar might consider donating some part of their settlement towards admitting these guys in film school.
Top critic
Film review ·
Zanjeer is an unwarranted, atrocious remake.
Film review ·
This is one remake that stands tall and lithe. It is manned by a manful supply of action and yet manages to keep the machismo understated. Breakneck-paced, adrenaline-pumping, pulse-pounding -- Lakhia's deconstructed version of the Prakash Mehra film is a full-on pacy paisa-vasool entertainer with brio and balls.
Film review ·
ZANJEER is a triumph for Ram Charan, who gets abundant opportunity to exhibit his talent and scores exceedingly well. However, the film comes across as a regular masala fare that caters to the single screen spectator mainly and also for enthusiasts of typical Bollywood entertainers. As for the comparisons with the original ZANJEER, I suggest try not to get there!
Film review ·
Ram Charan, as the brooding policeman, excels in action. His dark eyes with long lashes adeptly convey anger. Sanjay Dutt is competent and lovable.
Film review ·
Zanjeer doesn't hold a candle to the original, instead it feels like a modern day adaptation of a yet another cop drama.
Film review ·
The film is a failed attempt at remake. Watch it for the love of item songs and action-drama.
Film review ·
Zanjeer is a typical product of prevalent market tricks that ensure numbers. A sloppy mishmash of slackened writing, half baked execution and slumber incurring editing, the desperate attempts of packing a few extra scenes of head banging action doesn't quite help. Lacking the spirit and marvel of Zanjeer that I went in looking, the reason why I both survived and detested the film, was the same.
Film review ·
In this distressing time of remakes and hand-me-down inspirations, let's remember Herman Melville, "It is better to fail at originality than to succeed in imitation." Zanjeer manages neither.
Film review ·
It's hard though when you're constantly made aware that these loose, sometimes fully disjointed pieces of a zanjeer (series of events) – with several unexplained and missing scenes — is the reinterpretation of the 1973 classic
Film review ·
I can understand Fermat's last theorem but why on earth was this film remade, remains a mystery. But then when remakes of films like Agneepath can cross Rs.100 crores, I guess the temptation for producers is too hard to resist, creativity be damned.
Film review ·
Considering comparisons with the original are inevitable, the latest version will only expose Bollywood's inability to fine-tune or even, convincingly rehash a story that had once thrilled the audience.
Film review ·
Zanjeer is a dull show which also looks dated. Except for action, that too, mainly for the mass audience, there is not much for the viewers. As such, the film's run at the box-office will not be exciting. The Telugu version of the film has also been released simultaneously and its fate at the ticket windows may be better due to the stardom of Telugu films' star, Ram Charan.
From our readers
2 ratings · user score 2.0
Remakes has been in vogue for quite some time now, be it from other languages or from the same language itself. Even this year, we have seen quite a few already gracing the screens be it "Himmatwala" or "Chashme Badhoor". The biggest challenge in doing remakes is when the original has been an iconic film which makes comparisons inevitable. The latest to go through this gruelling comparison is "Zanjeer", whose original launched Big B to stardom. So can the remake escape unscathed??? Since most of you guys would have watched Big B's "Zanjeer", I dont think there is any need for giving much of an outline as the basic premise here is pretty much the same. ACP Vijay Khanna (Ram Charan) is an upright cop who takes on the wrong doers with a vengeance which led him to be transferred once to many. His latest transfer took him from Hyderabad to Mumbai where he takes on the Oil Mafia headed by Teja (Prakash Raj). What subsequently follows is the decimation of Teja 's empire by Vijay with the help of his friend Sher Khan (Sanjay Dutt), a reformed illegal car dealer & Jaydev (Atul Kulkarni), a journalist. At times, I dont mind giving credit where it is deserved but Apoorva Lakhia deserves no such benefit as he had made an absolute mess of Salim-Javed's brilliant script. It was a tedious exercise sitting through this ordeal which was made all the more tiresome thanks to some uninspired acting. As for other aspects of the film, I cant think of anything which deserves a mention. Among the various leading South Indian actors who has made their presence felt in Bollywood in the last few years be it Prithviraj, Dhanush or Suriya , I would count Ram Charan's performance as the least impressive. I wish he used his facial muscles atleast half as much as he flexes his biceps. Even Priyanka's act left a lot to be desired along with Mahie Gill who was pathetic though Prakash Raj was fine. But the worst among the lot by a fair distance was Sanjay Dutt, who seemed totally disinterested & appears like an insomniac. Verdict: The aura of the original might attract a few to check out the remake, but apart from that there isnt going to be much takers. There is nothing in the movie which will attract the audience & in all probability will incur a huge loss for the makers. In short, check out the original if you havent watched it or else dont bother!!! Rating: 1.5/5 Regards...Ben
only one tittle song is good ,remaining al dust in ears
Credits
Ram CharanACP Vijay Khanna
Prakash RajTeja
Sanjay DuttSher Khan (Hindi Version)
SrihariSher Khan (Telugu Version)
Atul KulkarniJaydev (Hindi Version)
Priyanka Chopra JonasMala
Tanikella BharaniJaydev (Telugu Version)
Mahie GillMona DarlingHindi films like Zanjeer
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