AGNEEPATH movie review: Hrithik Roshan lifts the film
Hrithik Roshan’s understated yet powerful performance and Rishi Kapoor’s strong portrayal of the baddie shine through in this otherwise lacklustre remake
There are great expectations from Agneepath for three main reasons: it is a remake of an Amitabh Bachchan flick, it’s produced by Karan Johar and has a huge starcast. But I wonder why? In any case the original Agneepath had tanked at the box office at first, only to have been recognised as a cult classic later. In a way, this one’s not just a remake. Director Karan Malhotra has taken the basic plot and played around with it.
Vijay Dinanath Chauhan (Hrithik) is out to avenge his father’s death at the hands of Kancha (Sanjay Dutt) and reclaim the respect of his village, Mandwa. In the process he becomes a criminal who uses powerful people to come up in the ranks. Karan has made loads of changes to the story and that’s absolutely fine. The point is that he fails to make it relevant to today’s times. It still has all the typical filmy ingredients of the late ’80s and ’90s – a childhood romance, a maa delivering a baby on the street with women holding their saris to cover her, the hero’s sister being assaulted by one of the villains and the hero mouthing sentimental lines as he bleeds to death. The way the village of 1977 is portrayed feels quite outdated and the concept of a villain leading a military rule so close to a metro like Mumbai in the ’90s is also a little unbelievable.
At the end if it all, you wonder what the real point of remaking this film was and you have no real answers. Especially in the first half when the story gets quite predictable and moves at a snail’s pace. The second half gets more gripping when Hrithik goes all out to take his revenge and comes face to face with the evil Kancha. But the long drawn lead up to it has left you exhausted by then. The climax is gripping though. And you do want to whistle when Hrithik mouths the famous Amitabh Bachchan lines: “Naam Vijay Dinanath Chauhan. Baap ka naam Dinanath Chauhan. Gaon, Mandwa.” Thankfully the dialogue has been used only once and in the right place.
The performances are good and that’s what keeps you hooked. Sanjay Dutt’s Kancha is much more menacing than Danny Denzongpa’s in the original. He looks evil and brings a madness to his character. But some of his dialogues really let him down. Even though she tries really hard to impress her audience, Priyanka Chopra as Kaali doesn’t have much to do at the end of the day. The boy who plays the young Hrithik has given a commendable performance and so has the girl who plays Hrithik’s teenage sister. Rishi Kapoor manages to carry off the vulgar character of Rauf Lala quite convincingly. He is uninhibited and delivers a sparkling performance. Deven Bhojani also impresses as Rishi Kapoor’s mute son. And finally, Hrithik Roshan, who is the saving grace of the film, comes up with a gritty and strong performance. He tries his best to bring the angst and bitterness of his character to life, but is let down by the screenplay. Compared to the original, Hrithik’s Vijay Chauhan has fewer dialogues and punch lines. His character is more humane and sensitive than that of Amitabh’s ruthless one. The director tries to portray Vijay as an underdog who finally accumulates the inner strength to overpower the evil Kancha. This change in characterisation works to an extent. Sadly, the screenplay doesn’t allow you to feel as strongly for him as you would have liked to. But his breakdown, his rage and his pain in the last few scenes lift his performance and the film.
Neither is Agneepath a great film nor a terrible one. It’s ordinary. It’s gripping in parts but suffers as a whole. Unfortunately for Karan Malhotra, unlike Don or Devdas, there’s only that much you can do to contemporise Agneepath and make it relevant for today’s viewers. Watch it for Hrithik’s performance and a few dramatic moments, but only if you are willing to sit through three hours of an intensely filmy movie.
dharmveer singh
Posted at 3:07 PM on January 29, 2012
kindly send the movie agneepath
i waiting for your reply
Manisha
Posted at 10:39 AM on January 29, 2012
owesome movie agneepath. and Hrithik u r the best
DEEP UPADHAYAY
Posted at 2:07 AM on January 29, 2012
THIS MOVIES IS VERY GOOD
THE ROLE OF VIJAY CHUHAN AS HRITHIK ROSHAN A VERY GOOD
PLLLLZZZZZZ YE MOVIE DEKHANE JARUR JANA
I LOVE KATRINA CHIKNI CHAMELI SONG
subrat
Posted at 10:33 PM on January 28, 2012
A must watch movie. stand out performance by hrithik. sanjay is evil and good. rishi is alsao done his part. bt see it for the excellent performance of hrithik….. no one of this time can do this movie better than him…….
Jishu
Posted at 9:57 PM on January 28, 2012
Agneepath 2012 did make me sit through the 3 hours with just a break – no not the interval but when that chawanni chhap dance – Chikni Chameli was on! Katrina should slap herself hard if she thinks her item song had made a difference to the Box office – it was gross. The movie almost manages to stir you in your seat- Hrithik R has never been better than this portrayal of Vijay Dinnath Chauhan.There was one scene when his sister comes to meet him for the first time – that scene was a clincher – you got to see it to believe it. Simply captivating…Sanju has re-written Bollywood villainy with this incredible menacing act – manages to make a mincemeat of your “Dimaag..” But the most awesome act was without a shred of doubt was Rishi Kapoor in the role of Rauf Lala – he might have done a lot of stupid movies in his heydays but as they say -in anycase, he has got the genes of the masters of Indian movies and that shows in this superlative act. Though there were few cinematic licences taken, but that’s for maintaining the pace of the movie. KARAN MALHOTRA is the next JOHN WOO(seriously) of Bollywod if you get my drift – he has packaged revenge in all its finesse, emotions & its pathos. I seriously wish this movie becomes a hit if only to encourage new directors like Karan Malhotra.
rohit
Posted at 5:58 PM on January 28, 2012
What a movie! ! ! !
Hritik & Rishi kapoor r the star performer in the movie
Sanju is ok bt nt too good
I think Priyanka is not up to the mark
dont compare….
bt it is definitely better than the Amitabh’s Agneepath!
suka
Posted at 12:19 PM on January 28, 2012
Hi,radhika i love you and i like your body
Dipak
Posted at 12:08 PM on January 28, 2012
This film is very very sexy,and katrina is very hot
amar
Posted at 12:56 PM on January 27, 2012
Will tou Please write about agneepath otherwaise no one see this page.
ASHISH
Posted at 12:06 PM on January 27, 2012
superb movie awosome ………. good job HRITIK GOOD JOB
Indra
Posted at 11:27 AM on January 27, 2012
I am sure it will be an ordinary movie but media is hyping it so much as usual. Trailors of this film looked so boring untill the chikni chameli came along. I think that item song must be the only entertaining moment in this film.
tones
Posted at 8:25 AM on January 28, 2012
did u watch the movie!
rohit
Posted at 6:05 PM on January 28, 2012
Hey indra tum bodygaurd jaisi movie ke hi layak ho aur usi me apna time waste karo..
mayank
Posted at 11:07 AM on January 27, 2012
good movie but u can watch is only one time…..
Rovers
Posted at 2:43 AM on January 27, 2012
Dear All
Dont look this movie and compare with the old….this is something new with the old plot….and I think….full credit goes to both of the Karan..Hrithik is superb….he is awesome to watch in every second….sanju is also good with some typical insane manarism(i think this helped him to act)….but really a tough role for hrithik…no such manarism…no punch lines except one….only rage and simplicity….hrithik is the best directors actor in todays bollywood….the movie is full of emotions and masala…loved to watch it again…kudos to the team
Anand
Posted at 11:58 PM on January 26, 2012
Awesome movie..Superb performance by Hrithik….and credit to Rishi and Sanju baba…….Salmaan and Sharukh should learn how to act in a reamke from this movie , their Don2 , Ready , Bodyguard was worse ..:-)
Mohammed Ali
Posted at 6:04 PM on January 27, 2012
Hi Idiot Salman Khan N Srk Is the Father of Hrithik In acting dnt tel to learn from Son k U idiot U hav to learn from me hw to comment k stupid donkey monkey rascal M a big Fan of Salman N Srk hrithik is 1000 times waste fellow compare to two of most beautiful Khan in Bollywood N rishi also waste fellow he need to learn frm his Son Ranbir k Only my fav Sanju baba is better in this Movie kkkkkkkkkkkkk Hrithik is good in making childrens Movie kkkkkkkkkkkkkk
raaaj
Posted at 9:52 AM on January 28, 2012
aur tere ghar me behain he usai boll umaaaahhhhh ha haha
raaaj
Posted at 9:53 AM on January 28, 2012
chodu bhadkau
deep
Posted at 3:04 PM on January 28, 2012
srk uncl se bolo kuch sikh le hrithik se….. my name is khan k bad hr movi me MANDBUDHI (mntl) lag raha hai.. ab usko bolo us crctr se bahar aa jaye…..
raaaj
Posted at 9:50 AM on January 28, 2012
re bevdai mohd aliii hritik k jaisa acting karke dika boll
rita
Posted at 11:25 PM on January 26, 2012
i love u hrithik….
Mohammed Ali
Posted at 6:05 PM on January 27, 2012
I Love UUUUUUUUUUUUU Rita
Mohammed Ali
Posted at 6:13 PM on January 27, 2012
Ritaaaaaaaaaaaa I Lovvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Chummmmmmmmmmmmahhhhhhhhhhhhhh Chummah Chumah De De U r My Sheela Sheela Ki Jawani aur Meri JUngli Billi aur Meri Chikni Chameli Ritaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I Like u Love Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet Hearttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt
shivam
Posted at 10:57 PM on January 26, 2012
gud muvi…bt lack of stunning dialoges..//
well done hrithik n sanju..//
Sonu
Posted at 10:19 PM on January 26, 2012
Hrithik ki itni dhulai maine pahle kabhi nahi dekhi…. Its really sad he did this movie and spoiled his image.
Karan johar ne Hrithik ka charector bahot weak banaya hai isme. Last ke 5 minute ko chor de to har jaga sanju baba ne uski bahot dhulai ki hai….
Shame on u Hrithik I am big fan of you but dont do any movie with Karan Johar in future also show anger not weakness.
Jab tu gussa hota hai to aisa lagta hai jaise tu samne wale se kaap raha hai.
shinu
Posted at 9:55 AM on January 27, 2012
hey sonu .do u know what is acting dude
Sonu
Posted at 6:15 PM on January 28, 2012
villain se poori movie main maar khana kon si acting hai yaar. Tune kabhi Amitabh ya Dharmendra ko itna pitte hue dekha hai.
I am just suggesting Hrithik that you are a star so learn to maintain your image.
Ali The Great
Posted at 6:06 PM on January 27, 2012
Tats Correct Dude This Is Ali
deep
Posted at 2:22 PM on January 29, 2012
oye sonu nd ali bhul gaye kye DAR movie me sunny pazzi ne kaiede se tere favr. srk uncle ki dhulai ki thi….
ANAND
Posted at 9:33 PM on January 26, 2012
hi hritak,
tumne mehenat to kee per kaya zaroorat thi AMITABH ka muqabla to kar nahi sakte,kuchh aacha kar ke BAAP DADA KA NAAM ROSHAN kiya jata hai , tu mhere baap dada ka naam to already “ROSHAN” hai .
moral of the story , tumhe achha kaam karne ki zaroorat hi nahi hai and u r doing that. KEEP IT UP.
Shujaath
Posted at 7:32 PM on January 26, 2012
Sanjay Dutt Superb Perfomance I Liked the Way Sanjay Let his Chracter in this movie awesome Sanju baba I love Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Khan
Posted at 5:44 PM on January 26, 2012
Its horrible movie, too much blood and violence, and too lengthy dat make u headache.
RAVI
Posted at 4:22 PM on January 26, 2012
good movie but expectation was very good
imran
Posted at 3:21 PM on January 26, 2012
mind blowing movie…….Hrithik is awesome
vijendra
Posted at 3:08 PM on January 26, 2012
great movie
Parth
Posted at 3:00 PM on January 26, 2012
Excellent movie. Only Hrithik can do it. SRK & Abhi must watch it to learn how to pay tribute or act in a remake.
ronty
Posted at 3:07 PM on January 26, 2012
who r u buddy……father dont learn from his son
radhika
Posted at 12:25 PM on January 26, 2012
had gr8 expextations…but was let down..its an ordinary film at best
Dileep anand
Posted at 7:03 PM on January 26, 2012
Hrithik was awesome and dominated old agnipath dina nath chauhan
nice movie
Posted at 7:49 PM on January 26, 2012
nice movie
mack
Posted at 8:13 AM on January 27, 2012
In this era hrithik is best actor . superb acting in agneepath , also superb acting in guzaarish to. no one can act like this,spesilly sharukh & salman khan
devanandjadhav
Posted at 10:48 AM on January 27, 2012
a