Movie Review: Wanted
Film Critic: Goher Iqbal Punn, askMamu.com
Director: Prabhu Deva
Cast: Salman Khan, Ayesha Takia, Vinod Khanna, Mahesh Manjrekar, Prajkash Raj, Govind Namdeo, Inder Kumar and Aseem Merchant

For a while now, Salman Khan’s fans were yearning to watch him on screen. So now their desire is fulfilled as Salman’s flick, ‘Wanted’ that was hugely awaited is out now in theaters. Starring Salman Khan and Ayesha Takia in the lead, the flick is directed by Parbhu Deva and produced by Boney Kapoor.

If you are one of those crazy movie buff who love to watch commercial masala films leaving the brain at home, then buy a bowl of popcorn and enter into the theater to watch this film. It is like a South movie and it should be since the captain of the ship belongs to the same land. Wanted is undisputedly a well-written story with an excellent screenplay. But there is a flipside to it. Admit, the story is well penned but the main culprit is direction and editing, which spoil the show.

The film unzips the reels brilliantly. The commissioner of police Ashraf Khan (Govind Namdeo) leaves no stones unturned to eradicate the underworld terrorism from the country. Radhe (Salman Khan) happens to be a hardcore gangster, who is famous for brutality and commitments. He knows only the language of money. He is loyal to anyone who pays him money. His entry in Gani Bhai (Prakash Raj) gang under the wing of Golden (Aseem Merchant), the right hand of Gani and betrayal to his existing gang headed by Data Pawle leads to bloodshed, as disputes crop up unexpectedly. The story takes twist with the death of Golden. Due to this, Gani Bhai takes the matters in his hands and comes back to India. What happens next is laced with blood and action.

The story and screenplay are good. But the direction by Prabhu Deva is a big lackluster. He could not handle the story on screen. Another failure is editing. Nirav Shah and S Sriram’s cinemotography is brilliant. Special effects deserve huge marks. The music is spongy and attarcts the ears.

Salman Khan does not go for his usual run of the mill acting rather presents his action packed performance after a long time. The movie rides on his shoulders. He is simply brilliant. Ayesha Takia looks sexy and gorgeous and yes does well with acting. Mahesh Manjerekar enacts the job beautifully. Prakash Jha is okay in his small role. Vinod Khanna and Inder Kumar do not get much scope. Aseem Merchant is good. Govind Namdeo is okay. Rest of the cast is average.

On the whole, it is very clear that if the movie runs well at the box office, this will happen only for Salman Khan’s star power. There is nothing extraordinary in the film except his worth amongst the moviegoers, which will take the audiences out from homes.

Rating: 2.5/5

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst. He shares a good rapport with Hindi film industry, Indian television fraternity and the celebs of these swanky worlds. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com

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