Review of Dilwale (2015) by Niranjan K — 18 Dec 2015

Somewhere in heaven Manmohan Desai is probably smiling watching Dilwale, because even though Dilwale tries to resemble DDLJ at times(example the title) Rohit Shetty is more know for his masala films that replicate the former master. So the hit machine Rohit Shetty is back with the King of romance Shahrukh Khan after there latest blockbuster Chennai Express. Does the superhit jodi live up to there former film, well thats a question I pondered many times while watching Dilwale, and the answer sadly is no. Reason being like Manmohan Desai films that where made in the 80s this film gets too melodramatic for a masala film made in 2015. However that doesn't mean Dilwale is a bad film, its still a good watch for people who like there regular masala films. I am no pseudo intellectual film critic, I enjoyed the film for the most part, Mr. Shetty creates a mammoth scale, everything is big, there are beautiful cars, amazing locales, some great action, comedy, romance,and dont forget the young superstar Varun Dhawan, and the hit SRK- Kajol jodi. The film is definitely pasia vasool like they say in Hindi, but it has its blemishes. But more on that later.

Story wise Raj aka Kaali a don, now leads a changed life in Goa. His world revolves around his brother Veer.Veer falls in love with Ishita, who happens to be Meera's sister. Raj and Meera's paths had collided in the past and that becomes an obstacle for Veer and Ishita.

Acting wise the film has a huge ensemble in which alot of actors standout for different reason. I am going to mention Shahrukh Khan and Kajol in the same breathe because together there are the films main highlight,there chemistry scorches the screen on fire. Nobody romances like these veterans. They are a treat to watch. SRK also standouts in his action and emotional scenes, he is a pro and it shows. Varun Dhawan is at his comic best, this kid is a superstar in the making, he resembles Govinda and Salman Khan in this film. Kriti Sanon adds good glamour and looks very bubbly and cute. Mukesh Tiwari, and Pankaj Tripathi are hilarious on screen together. Johnny Lever and Sanjay Mishra are also hilarious.

Rohit Shetty is known for a certain brand of films,those films are larger than life and full of masala. One leaves there brain at home to watch these logic defying films, but if done well a masala film can be spectacular, and some of the most entertaining films made.Well he lives up to his brand. While this isn't his best film its neither even close to his worst.Its a good film. There are his signature cars blowing up,there is laugh out loud comedy scenes, there are some great action scenes, and to top it off he has the legendary SRK-Kajol Jodi, so he can't go too wrong. He also has a scale never seen before,for a Rohit Shetty film, everything is huge and beautiful. An example of this is the beautiful eye popping Gerua song, and Bulgaria action sequences that are amazing. So where does he faulter,well in a masala film we all know there is going to be a predictable story with, cliches galore, but thats not the problem. Its that the film has too many melodramatic scenes, where you cringe in your seat at times. For example SRK's name is Kaali in the film, like really! This something not done before in Rohit Shetty film.The film also slackens in pace at times, film need to edited by 10-15 min. However you can look past those scenes because of amazing legendary SRK-Kajol chemistry which is the films highlight, and because of the hilarious comedy scenes courtesy Varun Dhawan, Johnny Lever, Sanjay Mishra, Mukesh Tiwari, and Pankaj Tripthai. But honestly Varun Sharma was misplaced. And the films story is stuck 1980s in Bollywood(which is not a good thing) even the films interval twists is predictable and ordinary. However like I stated before the films scale, the great music, action etc make up for any blemishes for the most part. Also look out for the scene where SRK and Varun share a bromance hug, after some amazing vintage Bollywood dialogue.

Overall if your a fan of the masala genre, or the Rohit Shetty brand of cinema this film is a must watch for you. I don't have to say anything to SRK/Kajol/Varun Dhawan fans there fans are already flocking to the theatres. With Diwale, Mr.Shetty adds another hit his amazing resume, but I excepted more.

3/5* or 6/10.