Heropanti
Year: 2014
Director: Sabbir Khan
Cast: Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon, Prakash Raj

On one hand, the star-sons and daughters have it all made up for a smooth Bollywood entry and on the other hand, they face a much tighter scrutiny and ‘Like Father, Unlike Son’ kind of unkind comments. But in recent times many star-sons and daughters (the likes of Kareena, Ranbir, Sonakshi, Sonam, Arjun, Varun and Aliya) have made a positive mark on the Bollywood landscape. Naturally there was plenty of curiosity about Jackie Shroff’s son Tiger’s debut vehicle.

Jackie made his debut In the 1983- film Hero and now, three decades later Tiger is making his Bollywood entry through Heropanti. Trailers and TV-show- appearances induced mixed reactions. The new star-son on the block was looking more like a cub, rather than a tiger. So what is the verdict after watching the film?

What’s the plot?

The story begins in hinterland Haryana, from where, defying the conservative rural community’s strict ‘Death for love marriage’ rule, a dreaded local don’s (Prakash Raj) elder daughter runs off with her boyfriend. The don, a doting father, is desperately trying to find the eloped daughter. His goons kidnap the couple’s friends to find out their location. One of these nabbed friends is our hero (Tiger Shroff), a cool dare-devil. What he doesn’t know then is that the girl he has fallen for is the don’s second daughter (Kriti Sanon). Right there in the den of the crime boss, a new love-story is about to begin. But how will it reach fruition in that atmosphere poisoned with suspicion, violence and bloodshed?

What’s hot?

·        The film is all about the hero and his ‘Heropanti’ and Tiger Shroff pulls it off almost effortlessly. Ignore his callow looks (Remember the young Sanjay Dutt and Saif Ali Khan before they started looking macho in the latter stages of career!) .The lad is talented. Chiseled body, gravity-defying stunts and dancing skills are good to have but more than that, an actor should know how to act and this boy shows that skill in plenty. He delivers an impressive performance combining all possible Bollywood hero-virtues. When he spouts corny dialogues like ‘Heropanti….sabko aati nahi aur meri jaati nahi!’, you believe him!

·        Director Sabbir Khan cleverly pieces together an entertaining film using the favourite Bollywood commercial ploys. Light humor, interesting human angles and bone-crunching action are the plus points.

·        Prakash Raj is one terrific actor and he proves that once more with his excellent portrayal of a ruthless crime don, rendered helpless by his fatherly love for his two daughters.

·        Kriti Sanon makes a confident debut playing a spirited village belle, who falls in love despite having no intention of doing that.

·        The songs are catchy.

What’s not?

·        The totally unoriginal plot is a hotchpotch of many popular Bollywood blockbusters.

·        The dialogues and humor are often crass.

·        At times the pace sags; the melodrama clouds proceedings and the climax is hurriedly wound up.

.        The so-called social message does not get any weightage.

Verdict

‘Falling in love with the don’s daughter while staying in his den’ seems to be the current plot-recipe for Bollywood success. Heropanti, too follows that formula successfully just like the recent blockbusters Son of Sardar and Chennai Express.

It is a typical commercial potboiler meant for the masses but it is worth watching for checking out a star-son making an impressive debut!

Rating

2.5 stars