Director Milan Luthria
Starring Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Imran Khan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sonali Bendre, Pitobash
If I said I was expecting a great film, I would be lying and how. But yes, I was prepared to be somewhat entertained by what looked like a dialogue heavy, set in the 80's world of gangsters and molls, with Mumbai police giving their all to catch the baddies, while love blossoms and songs are sung with gusto. And why not, the first part given the masala treatment, was a decent watch.
The story of the sequel is straight enough, one mob boss Shoaib, one wannabe heroine Jasmine and her lover Aslam, who happens to be the right hand of Shoaib. Aslam was selected by Shoaib off the streets of Mumbai when he was still a kid, and owes his "better" life to him. A classic love triangle set against the backdrop of gang-giri.
Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara (did I miss a word?) starts off well enough. With Akshay playing the dreaded gangster Shoaib, who sits in Dubai and controls akkhha Mumbai. He mouths one heavy dialogue after the other, picks up women at a cricket match, and then coolly continues to threatens all the gang lords that they can only live if they cede their share of the island city to him.
The first half goes in setting up the badassery of Shoaib, the innocence of Jasmine and the impetuousness and loyalty of Aslam. Akshay with the constant dark glasses, swagger and cigarettes, tries earnestly to play the baddy. The villain, in his own words. Imran is just about bearable, that lad needs some serious acting workshops when he plays anything even an inch away from an upper middle class city boy. Never thought I would miss Emraan Hashmi!!! Sonakshi Sinha, with her weight loss actually looks the part, fitting into colorful suits and role with ease. You also get to see the graceful Sonali Bendre, after a huge gap, and she is a pleasant presence in the small role that she has as Shoaib's ex mistress.
So why am I sounding as if something bad happened? Because it did. The film after the first hour, becomes too involved with its own style. Everyone speaks a language out of a theatrical farce. Akshay only speaks in adages and similies, Imran flounders and Sonakshi is left with dismayed expressions. The logic has been long forgotten. The film gets trapped in its own limitations. Here I must mention, Mahesh Manjrekar, who is not a weak actor, has been given such a weak character and when the villain falls flat, you know where its all headed. As a guy who is the arch rival of Shoaib, his character just doesn't work.
Despite the look and feel being right, there is no satisfaction guaranteed. Too many songs, the length, the monologues. I would have liked to see some cool gangsta action, some intrigue, some suspense, but in this OUATIMD world, expect no surprises.
So, all in all a disappointing film.
My Verdict 2/5
Starring Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Imran Khan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sonali Bendre, Pitobash
If I said I was expecting a great film, I would be lying and how. But yes, I was prepared to be somewhat entertained by what looked like a dialogue heavy, set in the 80's world of gangsters and molls, with Mumbai police giving their all to catch the baddies, while love blossoms and songs are sung with gusto. And why not, the first part given the masala treatment, was a decent watch.
The story of the sequel is straight enough, one mob boss Shoaib, one wannabe heroine Jasmine and her lover Aslam, who happens to be the right hand of Shoaib. Aslam was selected by Shoaib off the streets of Mumbai when he was still a kid, and owes his "better" life to him. A classic love triangle set against the backdrop of gang-giri.
Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara (did I miss a word?) starts off well enough. With Akshay playing the dreaded gangster Shoaib, who sits in Dubai and controls akkhha Mumbai. He mouths one heavy dialogue after the other, picks up women at a cricket match, and then coolly continues to threatens all the gang lords that they can only live if they cede their share of the island city to him.
The first half goes in setting up the badassery of Shoaib, the innocence of Jasmine and the impetuousness and loyalty of Aslam. Akshay with the constant dark glasses, swagger and cigarettes, tries earnestly to play the baddy. The villain, in his own words. Imran is just about bearable, that lad needs some serious acting workshops when he plays anything even an inch away from an upper middle class city boy. Never thought I would miss Emraan Hashmi!!! Sonakshi Sinha, with her weight loss actually looks the part, fitting into colorful suits and role with ease. You also get to see the graceful Sonali Bendre, after a huge gap, and she is a pleasant presence in the small role that she has as Shoaib's ex mistress.
So why am I sounding as if something bad happened? Because it did. The film after the first hour, becomes too involved with its own style. Everyone speaks a language out of a theatrical farce. Akshay only speaks in adages and similies, Imran flounders and Sonakshi is left with dismayed expressions. The logic has been long forgotten. The film gets trapped in its own limitations. Here I must mention, Mahesh Manjrekar, who is not a weak actor, has been given such a weak character and when the villain falls flat, you know where its all headed. As a guy who is the arch rival of Shoaib, his character just doesn't work.
Despite the look and feel being right, there is no satisfaction guaranteed. Too many songs, the length, the monologues. I would have liked to see some cool gangsta action, some intrigue, some suspense, but in this OUATIMD world, expect no surprises.
So, all in all a disappointing film.
My Verdict 2/5
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