Predictable thriller has nothing new to offer audiences
The action film, which recently premiered on streaming site ZEE5, is problematic on many different levels. Firstly, it claims to be inspired by true events, but at the same time points out that it’s a fictional story not bearing deliberate resemblance to any events or persons.
It is obviously based on the 2002 Akshardham Temple attack, but it increases the cruelty of what happened and doesn’t offer any background, which pours fuel on the fire of religious hate that has been burning in India in recent years.
Akshaye Khanna plays the head of an army unit, who blames himself for a previous mission going wrong, leading a rescue of hostages when terrorists take over a temple and start a killing spree. What follows is a seen-it-before thriller where brave Indian army officers take on comical terrorists hellbent on destruction.
There is nothing new in this seen it before thriller that glorifies the Indian army, vilifies Muslims, and attempts to change history. The predictable story has all the cliché elements that are associated with Bollywood action films involving the army, which includes cartoonish over-the top-villains. Director Ken Ghosh, who has spent his career delivering cinematic stinkers adds to that list with lazy direction that has nothing new to offer audiences. The only real positive in the film is the presence of talented actors Akshaye Khanna and Gautam Rode. Both have impressive screen presence and try to inject a believability into their respective roles, but they are trapped in a poorly written screenplay that leaves little room for them to shine.
There is the odd attempt to counterbalance this obviously Islamophobic film with a few positive Muslim characters, but it just isn’t enough to rescue this terribly made action film. That is why it should be avoided and why dud director Ken Ghosh should finally be packed into retirement.