182. Bholaa; movie review

 

BHOLAA

Cert 15

143 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong bloody violence, language, drug misuse, scene of suicide

Buckle yourself in. Bholaa's action begins at minute one and doesn't end until the screen proclaims "To Be Continued" during the credits.

Yes, this is a big-budget film and audiences can see how every rupee has been spent.

And I doubt whether those who are into this type of picture will care that its plot is so thin and the strength of its title character defies logic and science.

I wished I had watched it in the cinema but Bholaa drifted to Amazon Prime so quickly, we settled on seeing it on our 65-inch telly.

The neighbours are on holiday so we increased the volume and tried to recreate the picture house atmosphere.

What we missed was the inevitable whooping and hollering which I am certain would have accompanied the demise of every bad guy.

This is Ajay Devgn's film. The Bollywood superstar is its director and plays the lead - a notorious hard man who has just been released from jail after a ten-year stretch.

This coincides with one of the most successful police drug operations ever, led by a superintendent played by Tabu.

Inevitably, the interception of a huge consignment of cocaine has caused anger among the dealers and an unhinged villain (Deepak Dobriyal) is determined to get it back.

In cahoots with a corrupt establishment figure and local cop, he lays low senior officers who are attending a retirement party - except for Tabu.

Thus, she is forced to turn to the newly released Bholaa who just happens to be around.

It seems an unlikely alliance but they face scores of thugs who want to find out from the superintendent where she has hidden the drugs.

Meanwhile, her station is defended by one old cop (Sanjay Mishra) and four students who are forced to fend off an army of villains.

So, there are two running battles - one with Devgn and Tabu and one with the unlikely defenders of the cop shop.

And, let's be honest, there ain't much more to it than that - apart from a dab of paternal pathos.

But will the action movie fans care? Nah. They are baying for Bhoola's sequel.

Reasons to watch: All-action

Reasons to avoid: Slim plot

Laughs: Two

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know? Ajay's father, Veeru Devgan was a stuntman and action-film director in the 70s and 80s; his mother Veena Devgan was a film producer.

The final word. Ajay Devgn: "“Bholaa is a larger-than-life action spectacle with an emotional core. The father-daughter emotions are super-strong but of course getting to it involves an action-driven path. And, the action is a complete adrenaline rush. There are no let-ups except during the dramatic and emotional scenes."

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