Now, those who are unnecessarily bringing down the recently released Arjun Kapoor starrer Bollywood flick Tevar should keep in mind that you’re watching a typical southern India remake with wholesome entertainment, and should not expect any social message.
I mean we as viewers have already known the fact that it’s going to be an authentic commercial entertainer. Right from the beginning, it hits with the safe formula of a high-octane action romance. Although many similar films in the recent past don’t hold up to the expectation, Tevar certainly delivers what’s expected in a Bollywood masala film.
Set in Agra and Mathura, the film follows Pintoo (Kapoor) – a young Kabbadi player who in his eccentricity goes on bashing goons who dare to hurt the modesty of a woman. Being the son of a strict but honest police officer (Raj Babbar), he too has another side of his personality as a loved son and brother.
With his careless and carefree nature when he once lands in Mathura with his friends to play a Kabbadi match, he, unfortunately, confronts the local bad guy Gajender Singh (Manoj Bajpayee), who also happens to be the brother of a high-profile political figure, while saving Radhika (Sonakshi Sinha) as she rejects the marriage proposal from Gajender.
So, as we may expect, there is bound to be a clash between the good and the bad, the hero and the villain. The film is a remake of the Telugu hit Okkadu (2003) and director Amit Sharma, who has been an assistant to filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar presented this old story but with some kind of realism by shooting in the two crowded cities, and portraying the Taj Mahal in the backdrop as a symbol of love in quite a few scenes. Moreover, the story is about a man and his attitude who is a hero by chance and not by choice.
As far as the performance is concerned, Arjun is amazing as Pintoo but you may feel that Sonakshi is yet to bring anything fresh on-screen. Now, to sustain herself in the industry, she has to explore many challenging roles other than similar acts that she has already done quite a few times.
Nevertheless, Babbar and Bajpayee are actors who as if with time have surpassed the maturity level with such commendable performances. Finally, I must mention the name of Subrat Dutta, who as Kakdi – the right-hand of Gajender – proves that a good actor doesn’t need a long role, but rather a few minutes’ screen space to do wonders.
Directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma
Written by Shantanu Srivastava (Dialogue)
Screenplay by Amit Sharma and Shantanu Srivastava
Story by Gunasekhar
Based on Okkadu (Telugu language film) by Gunasekhar
Release Date/Year: January 9, 2015
Where to watch Tevar (2015)
