In the highly anticipated cinematic landscape of Bollywood, where larger-than-life tales are often paired with grand celebrations, the latest release, “Singham Again” directed by Rohit Shetty, was expected to be a Diwali blockbuster. Despite aligning the stars by casting a stellar ensemble of actors like Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and a galaxy of other Bollywood luminaries, the film struggles to live up to the fanfare surrounding it.
“Singham Again” opens with a promise that echoes across the Shetty universe: no matter how dire the circumstance, Bajirao Singham, played earnestly by Ajay Devgn, will save the day. However, the narrative veers towards a more serious tone, attempting to blend mythological themes reminiscent of the Ramayan with modern-day police bravado. On the surface, this combination seems ripe with potential for both cultural commentary and sheer cinematic spectacle. Yet, as the film unfolds over a robust 144-minute runtime, the viewer is left navigating a collage of disjointed sequences rather than a cohesive story.
A notable aspect of “Singham Again” is its attempt at grandeur, which unfortunately often feels more crowded than compelling. The movie introduces a veritable pantheon of characters from Shetty’s cop universe: Ranveer Singh’s Simmba brings a refreshing comedic flavor, much needed to counterbalance the film’s heavy-handedness. Deepika Padukone dons the role of Cop Shakti ‘Ma’am’ with grace, while Tiger Shroff’s Cop Satya and Akshay Kumar’s Cop Sooryavanshi contribute their usual flair. Meanwhile, the antagonist, Danger Lanka—portrayed by Arjun Kapoor—along with Jackie Shroff’s side-villain character, feels like too obvious a setup for an epic clash that never fully materializes.
The primary issue plaguing “Singham Again” is its narrative complexity, or lack thereof. The storyline gestures towards epic storytelling, comparing Singham to Lord Ram, and weaves in scenes from the Ramayan, yet it trips over its own ambitions.
. The pivotal moment where Singham’s dockyard raid inexplicably segues into the swayamvar episode from Ramayan leaves audiences bemused rather than excited.
Underlying this chaotic narrative is a preachy undertone, wherein a detailed exposition is provided to signify Ramayan as verifiable history. Here, Kareena Kapoor’s character, as Singham’s wife, takes on the role of a cultural educator, persistently advocating for the historical accuracy of these ancient texts. This approach raises questions about whether the filmmakers aimed to offer a cultural commentary or simply capitalized on familiar mythological beats for dramatic effect.
Despite its narrative pitfalls, “Singham Again” is not without its moments of sheer entertainment. Rohit Shetty, known for his signature style of explosive action sequences, delivers on that front, and the film doesn’t skimp on its characteristic Bollywood flair. The expansive production, backed by notable corporate giants such as Jio and Reliance Entertainment, underscores the collaborative nature of the medium, although the final product raises the all-important question: to what end?
Perhaps the film’s greatest strength lies in its parade of high-octane action that one comes to expect from a multi-crore Bollywood film. Moments such as Kareena Kapoor’s evocative scenes lifted by Arjun Kapoor’s Ravan, or grand fight sequences staged amidst historically significant backdrops, do deliver those quintessential ‘paisa vasool’ moments for which audiences clamor. Adding to the spectacle, Salman Khan’s cameo after the credits is a delightful tease for potential sequels, however, the punchline “Mission Chulbul Singham, coming soon!” comes across as prematurely optimistic.
Ultimately, “Singham Again” may serve as an engaging watch for those seeking the thrill of action and star-studded ensembles, but falls short for viewers seeking a story with depth and coherence. The burden of its expansive, mythology-laden narrative proves to be too much to bear, resulting in a film that, while grand in ambition, ultimately underdelivers on its promise of a thoroughly engaging action drama.
