In recent years, the spectacle offered by Hindi blockbuster cinema has witnessed a concerning blurring of lines. Once capable of standing distinct from the formulaic allure of mythological soap operas and the gaudy allure of non-fiction television offerings, the last few years reveal a cinematic landscape marred by complacency and opportunism. This shift has left audiences in a state of ambivalence, unsure of what to anticipate when venturing into theaters.
Such is the plight with “Singham Again,” a film that positions itself as a high-octane action feast. Serving as the latest installment in director Rohit Shetty’s sprawling cop universe, the film unites signature characters from previous blockbusters including the earlier Singham films, alongside counterparts from Simmba and Sooryavanshi. Helmed by Ajay Devgn, who reprises his role as the stoic super-cop Bajirao Singham, “Singham Again” seems, on paper, to promise an exciting cinematic experience. Yet its execution suggests otherwise, falling short of the hype and resembling a cinematic advertisement for the tourism ministry’s Ramayana trail rather than a standalone compelling narrative.
Right from the start, audiences are cautioned with a disclaimer assuring them that any inspiration derived from the story of Lord Ram should not confer divinity upon its characters. A peculiar advisory, given that Shetty’s universe thrives on elevating its heroes to near-mythical status. None more so than Singham, whose larger-than-life persona is continually underscored by divine hymns heralding his entrance. As if divinely ordained, Singham is now stationed in Kashmir to lead a Special Operations Group. Yet, beneath this formidable veneer lies a narrative thin on substance and unnecessarily sprawling in its attempt to draw parallels with the revered Ramayana.
The villainy of Omar Hafeez, essayed by Jackie Shroff, sets the grandiose plot in motion. Hafeez’s grandson, portrayed by Arjun Kapoor, emerges as a revenge-bent antagonist akin to a caricature out of a children’s tale, attempting to fill the shoes of a menacing drug lord. The sheer notion that a considerable slice of Bollywood’s luminaries must rally to vanquish a threat embodied poorly by Kapoor, ventures into the absurd.
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Adding to this convoluted mix, Shetty employs a framing technique that intersperses action sequences with fragments depicting Avni’s Ramleela, played by Kareena Kapoor Khan. Alas, these scenes serve only to create awkward parallels between the celebrated epic and the unfolding narrative. With every transition, one is reminded violently of the film’s attempts to draw insight from the Ramayana, rendering the result a juxtaposition of cinema and mythological theater, crammed uncomfortably into a singular narrative package.
With performances across this cinematic tapestry, a standout remains Ranveer Singh’s Simmba, Bheem Varma’s cheeky portrayal lending a much-needed splash of irreverence amidst the film’s fluctuations. Singh’s infectious charm breathes life into sequences that might otherwise fall flat. Meanwhile, Devgn’s seemingly dour take on Singham, with scant expressions of levity, disrupts the potential for truly exhilarating moments. Even the choreography of action sequences, a mainstay of Shetty’s earlier successes, falters with its derivative and predictable execution, symbolizing the franchise’s creative stagnation.
In a move indicative of the film’s thematic intentions, a scene within the trailer exposes Devgn standing rightly under a conspicuous saffron flag. Bearing inscriptions of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, these elements were eventually retracted, at the censor board’s request, to preserve a religious-neutral tone. Yet the film persistently shores up a narrative overflowing with religious and nationalistic undertones, a signature of the franchise’s recurrent motives.
Despite the ambitious crossover elements and parade of Bollywood stars, “Singham Again” fails to mask its creative inadequacies. Rohit Shetty’s cop universe, once the adrenaline-charged darling of cinema-going audiences, appears poised on the brink of an emotional burnout. It is yet to be seen whether this latest iteration serves as a threshold to rejuvenating the franchise or seals its fate as an experiment in missed opportunities.
Currently screening in theaters, “Singham Again” challenges its audience to distinguish between fleeting entertainment and the profound magic that once defined Hindi cinema.
