Sultan Review: This Eid Feast is Quite a Pleasant Surprise

Sethumadhavan

When you make a sports based film there is a certain template that is followed and we all know that. And if it happens to be a fictional tale there are certain liberties that the filmmaker is entitled to but you still know how the arc is going to develop into. What is essential is getting the setting, the mood and the performances to be convincing, the rest of it can more or less be taken care of. Ali Abbas Zafar’s Sultan has been keenly awaited; after all it’s a Salman Khan vehicle and an Eid release to top it all. While it was interesting to see Salman Khan and Anushka Sharma getting showcased as wrestlers, there was still the slight element of doubt regarding the end outcome of the film considering that Ali Abbas Zafar hasn’t really been known for his storytelling skills per se (that his previous films Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and Gunday made money is another story altogether).

Aakash Oberoi (Amit Sadh) is the promoter of a Mixed Martial Arts league in India which for various reasons hasn’t taken off the way it was meant to. He barely manages to get the other stakeholders to give him one last chance for scoring a revival and his father (Parikshit Sahni) tells him that Sultan (Salman Khan) is the only one who could help him in that process. A former Olympic gold medallist and World Champion wrestler, Sultan is someone who wants to have nothing to do with the sport any more. Many years ago Sultan was a happy go lucky guy in Rewari, Haryana who fell in love with Aarfa (Anushka Sharma) a champion wrestler. He goes on to become a wrestler himself, winning her heart and getting married to her as well. But a turn of events sees them moving away from each other, making Sultan to leave wrestling as well. No prizes for guessing what happens as the tale proceeds along.

Yes we do know how the film would eventually end up but then for a film like this it is quite expected. From films like the Rocky series and many others we know clearly the route that the film would travel through but then Ali Abbas Zafar manages to keep the proceedings engaging enough. Considering that it’s a film of 170 minutes duration that’s quite a commendable achievement I must say. While an unfit Sultan training under the watchful eyes of his trainer (Randeep Hooda) reminds us of moments from films like Apne and Brothers, there is still some amount of credibility to the segment as well. The MMA portions have been handled well but they aren’t extraordinary but then the film is not so much about that as such. It is after all about a sportsman who returns back to fight none other than himself as he prefers to call it.

After Bajrangi Bhaijaan this is once again a film that sees a slightly restrained Salman Khan as he graciously sports a weather beaten aged look, even admitting to be in his early 40’s who is down and out. He manages to look convincing both as the unfit, out of touch wrestler in the past as well as a fit sportsman who is back on the ring for a reason. The usual Bhai histrionics are toned down, though he does manage to pull off some trademark dialogues in style. What thankfully works is that the film has a solid leading lady in the form of Aarfa and she is no pushing ground at all. Considering the kind of social taboos that Haryana is known for, it’s good to see the film showcasing that women can also compete with men and be equally valuable both to the family and society. The supporting cast is very effective and the casting choices have worked out pretty well.

Amit Sadh is suitably in control as the MMA league promoter and Kumud Mishra is a delight as Aarfa’s father and a wrestling coach. Randeep Hooda adds some sheen in his cameo as the coach who trains Sultan when he decides to enter the MMA league, their interactions carrying a good blend of humour and energy. But it’s Anant Vidhaat (Sharma) who plays Sultan’s childhood friend Govind who impresses the most, as he leaves a terrific impact with his witty repartees, exhibiting ease at handling Haryanvi. Vishal-Shekhar’s songs work well with the narrative and are complimented by some commendable lyrics from Irshad Kamil.

 

Bottomline:

Though Sultan is no game changer it is still a commendable Salman Khan film, one where we more or less root for him with the slogan “kar de chatai” as he fights his opponent in the ring. Hence it wouldn’t really be a surprise if Sultan goes on to be accepted widely, both by fans of Salman Khan and the aamaadmi as well.

Rating: 3/5