NEW DELHI: The year 2016 saw him essay complex characters in films like ‘Fan’ and ‘Dear Zindagi’ which evoked a mixed response from the cinegoing audience.
His latest film ‘Raees’, however, marks the return of the ‘vintage’ Shahrukh Khan , bringing out on the sliver screen his ‘eternally romantic’persona and his dramatic appeal.
‘Raees’ is the story of Raees (Shah Rukh Khan), a sharp child who goes on to becoming a big player in the world of smuggling.
Early on in his school going years, Raees learns the trade of alcohol in a dry state (Gujarat). After working under a popular liquor smuggler (Atul Kulkarni) in his early years, he soon decides to start his own business.
His only rule, ?Koi dhanda chota nai hota, aur dhande se bada koi dharam nai hota, jisse kisika bura na ho.? Thanks to his ‘tedha dimaag’ (twisted mind) Raees soon manages to make it to the big league.
His growing success bring him in confrontation with Superintendent of Police Jaideep Ambalal Majmudar (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). Thus, begins a cat and mouse chase between the two.
While Raees’ street smart ways and political network work in favor, Majmudar’s patiently keeps on the pursuit of the criminal. The rest of the story is about whether Majmudar is able to nail Raees. The screenplay of the film is gripping.
The film keeps viewers constantly engaged with its gripping storyline and its taut screenplay which is a seamless mix of Romance, drama and action, making the film a wholesome entertainer.
The first half charts the life of Raees, from a bright child who learns the tricks of the trade early in life to a youngster with a sharp mind who zooms to the big league in a short period. At the same time it also portrays him as a man with a ‘heart of gold’ who time and again comes to the aid of the poor. The tempo of the film remains fast throughout with not a single dull moment except for some portions in the second half. The viewers are constantly kept on the edge of their seats all through the film. The dialogues of the film are clapworthy with many of them likely to draw whistles from the audience. The film gives one a ‘massy entertertainer’ feel, reminding you of films like ‘Deewar’ and ‘Zanzeer’. The film boasts of grand production values. Director Rahul Dholakia has perfectly captured the look of the 80s. The film also comes across as visually appealing with its seamless mix of Romance, drama and action. The brilliant background music enhances the dramatic appeal of the film. All in all, it is a wholesome entertainer. The film marks the return of the vintage Shahrukh. While he leaves you drooling over with his act of a ‘quintessential romantic ‘ in his scenes with Mahira khan, he is brilliant in the emotional and intense scenes. The film is a treat for die hard fans of Shahrukh. Mahira looks pretty in the film. However, in a film dominated by presence of Shahrukh, her role is nothing much to talk about. The surprise of the film is, however, Nawazuddin Siddiqui who lends a spunk to the character of Superintendent of Police Jaideep Ambalal Majmudar. It is another brilliant show by him after ‘Freaky Ali’. All in all, ‘Raees’ is a massy entertainer with its heady cocktail of Romance, drama and action. Rating: 3.5/5: one for Rahul dholakia’s direction, one fir performance by Shahrukh and Nawazuddin siddiqui , one for the screenplay and 0.5 for the background music ). (AGENCIES)
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