Khan plays to the gallery in ‘Dabangg’ - Movie Review
September 13, 2010
Starring Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Sonu Sood, Vinod Khanna, Dimple Kapadia
If you ever wondered about the appeal of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan—and for some, it is a matter of wonder—Dabangg makes it loud and clear why he’s had a fanatical following for more than two decades.
While most actors strive to challenge themselves with diverse and difficult roles, many get pigeonholed nonetheless by audience expectations and/or their own limitations. While the latter doesn’t apply to Khan, the former certainly does. He’s made a career out of playing simple, macho, and usually shirtless heroes—and the masses love his shtick for the fun, lowbrow entertainment that it is. We’ve seen, at times, an intriguingly complicated Khan on-screen—more like his real-life persona—but unfortunately, he usually gets punished for it at the box office. Now middle-aged, Khan seems to have resigned himself to his lot and wholeheartedly embraced what made him famous.
His character in Dabangg, Chulbul Pandey, is a cop in dusty, rural India. He’s corrupt, but he only steals from bad guys—his brand of justice, you might say—and he gives them a thrashing to boot. His overriding quality is likeability. He’s always good for a laugh, even when he’s kicking butt. Khan doesn’t overplay the character; he revels in it. He’s never visibly enjoyed a role more. And watching him pour himself into the part is a hoot.
The film borders on spoof; parts are purposely ridiculous and cartoonish. But mostly, it’s a celebration of old-time masala—that heady, over-the-top mix of action, romance, comedy, and melodrama for which Bollywood is best known, but a style that has become tempered in recent years.
The fight scenes are the film’s best moments—as tightly, pleasingly choreographed as the musical numbers—even more so. Dabangg is otherwise marred by a paper-thin plot, the best jokes are overdone, and the romance is hindered by the unimpressive debut of actress Sonakshi Sinha, who frowns her way through her performance.
The other actors deliver a mixed bag. Dimple Kapadia and Vinod Khanna are underwhelming as Chulbul’s beloved mother and hated stepfather, as is Anupam Kher in a throwaway role as a local politician. Arbaaz Khan, Salman’s real-life younger brother and the producer of the film (the first for his new production company), plays Pandey’s half-brother with an affecting meekness that gives the film, and the nuanced conflict between the brothers, some much-needed feeling. Sonu Sood, who plays the chief villain, is convincingly threatening, but while he physically towers over Khan, he—along with the rest of the cast—remains in the shadow of the colossal common man’s man at its center.
Dabangg is rated Worth Watching.
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