‘Ready’ is a strange concoction that harks back to many of the staples of ’70s and ’80s Bollywood (like flying vehicles and villains, the character in coma, black-as-black antagonists, the slapstick fights). It’s a movie that in the hands of a director with more sense of history would have turned out to be a terrific package of remixed Bollywood. But Anees Bazmee manages to make the satiric ‘Ready’just another of his loud and crowded comedies that has its funny moments but never rises to showcase its elusive promise.
The script, however, is clear about the plot, no matter how confusing the viewer may find it trying to figure out who Sanjana, the heroine and niece of villainous uncles, is actually supposed to marry. But none of this matters; everything is just an excuse for the hero to show off his wooing, fighting and comic skills.
Salman Khan is, in fact, the brightest thing about Ready. Remove him and the film will fall flat, despite able support from Mahesh Manjrekar (as Salman’s forgetful father and Paresh Rawal as the accountant turned uncle. Rawal though is hugely underutilised). This is not what you expect from Sultan Salman (I can call him that, can’t I, if SRK is Badshah!) after the terrific ‘Wanted’ and the smashing ‘Dabangg’, but Salman is Salman.
Director Anees Bazmee, however, manages to get Salman to poke huge fun at all his iconic films (Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, No Entry to Dabangg) and Salman is a sport to do it all with a straight face, enjoying it all the while. And he is called Prem! Even Aamir Khan’s Ghajini is not spared -- a nod to Aamir’s heroine from that film, Asin.
Asin (as Sanjana) is sweet, like in Ghajini but not half as convincing, and very often Sridevi-like. But you can watch her without tiring, unlike a Priyanka Chopra who can get tedious sometimes. Her wardrobe and hairdo, however, needed some serious work. What’s with the styling department? Even Salman was looking worn-out in some frames.
Now, for the soundtrack by Pritam. I won’t debate the originality of it because I don’t know if it’s original or not (except ‘Dhinkachika’, which Salman says is borrowed from a southern film), but it is certainly peppy and hummable. ‘Character dheela’, for instance, is a firecracker. But couldn’t that song have come somewhere towards the middle of the movie? I thought the filmmakers exposed their ace way too early.
Zarin Khan is a luscious – although a little clunky – presence in the ‘Character dheela’ song. It’s unfair of the entertainment media to compare her to Katrina Kaif. If Zarin were to work on her dance steps more vigorously, she would be an absolute showstopper. Looking forward to seeing more of her.
‘Ready’ comes close to leaving the viewer cold with its stock of clichés but escapes the cold-shoulder because of Salman and some of the character actors, including the comedian Sudesh Lehri.
I say ‘Ready’ is certainly good for one viewing and if you are a Salman fan, then once more. I give it a 7 on 10 in my review ratings.
Enjoy.
The script, however, is clear about the plot, no matter how confusing the viewer may find it trying to figure out who Sanjana, the heroine and niece of villainous uncles, is actually supposed to marry. But none of this matters; everything is just an excuse for the hero to show off his wooing, fighting and comic skills.
Salman Khan is, in fact, the brightest thing about Ready. Remove him and the film will fall flat, despite able support from Mahesh Manjrekar (as Salman’s forgetful father and Paresh Rawal as the accountant turned uncle. Rawal though is hugely underutilised). This is not what you expect from Sultan Salman (I can call him that, can’t I, if SRK is Badshah!) after the terrific ‘Wanted’ and the smashing ‘Dabangg’, but Salman is Salman.
Director Anees Bazmee, however, manages to get Salman to poke huge fun at all his iconic films (Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, No Entry to Dabangg) and Salman is a sport to do it all with a straight face, enjoying it all the while. And he is called Prem! Even Aamir Khan’s Ghajini is not spared -- a nod to Aamir’s heroine from that film, Asin.
Asin (as Sanjana) is sweet, like in Ghajini but not half as convincing, and very often Sridevi-like. But you can watch her without tiring, unlike a Priyanka Chopra who can get tedious sometimes. Her wardrobe and hairdo, however, needed some serious work. What’s with the styling department? Even Salman was looking worn-out in some frames.
Now, for the soundtrack by Pritam. I won’t debate the originality of it because I don’t know if it’s original or not (except ‘Dhinkachika’, which Salman says is borrowed from a southern film), but it is certainly peppy and hummable. ‘Character dheela’, for instance, is a firecracker. But couldn’t that song have come somewhere towards the middle of the movie? I thought the filmmakers exposed their ace way too early.
Zarin Khan is a luscious – although a little clunky – presence in the ‘Character dheela’ song. It’s unfair of the entertainment media to compare her to Katrina Kaif. If Zarin were to work on her dance steps more vigorously, she would be an absolute showstopper. Looking forward to seeing more of her.
‘Ready’ comes close to leaving the viewer cold with its stock of clichés but escapes the cold-shoulder because of Salman and some of the character actors, including the comedian Sudesh Lehri.
I say ‘Ready’ is certainly good for one viewing and if you are a Salman fan, then once more. I give it a 7 on 10 in my review ratings.
Enjoy.
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