Khiladi 786

If you are a masti and entertainment lover then this is a movie for you. The best are imbued with an inherent ‘masti’ or intoxication. In other words, Punjabi. But after watching Khiladi 786 – close on the heels of that other mind-numbing action-comedy, Son of Sardaar – I think it’s time for Bollywood to give Punjab a little rest.

The story by Himmesh Reshammiya is a complex mix of countless films and it would be best if you don’t even judge it. Indeed, I’d like to believe he never intended to write a logical story or a telling tale. There are some fun moments in the film but with a wafer-thin plot, the  story seems to drag along for far too long.

The Akshay lovers will also go for it and get the mixture of action and comedy as for Askhay is popular for. All through, the funny bits were rare and mostly unintentional. Akshay swaggers above this messy material, which includes African-American characters and dancers in blackface. Akshay sleepwalks through a role that he has done one too many times; there is not even a slight attempt at any form of innovation. Asin tries hard to play the energetic female lead but fails to create any impression With it Himesh Reshamiya also acted and is a singer in this movie.

Most of the film that follows is about setting up madness over the situation. Debutante director Ashish R. Mohan takes minimum risks, sticking to masala formula that sells.