Vikram Vedha Movie Review: Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan's Chemistry Shines Through In This Masala Action Thriller
Disclaimer: How you view and analyze Vikram Veda largely depends on whether or not you have watched the Tamil original. The lead role of Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan is a remake of the 2017 Tamil song which featured Vijay Sethupathi and R Madhavan respectively in these roles. The shadow of this cult classic looms large in the new Hindi version, but thanks to directors Pushkar and Gayatri, the film stands on its own, delivering a tight plot, immersive action and a few laughs. If you've seen the original, you can compare the two for fun, but if you haven't, you might enjoy the movie. ( Also Read: Vikram Veda Pushkar Gayathri Directors Say The Film Is Not A Tamil Original )
Vikram Veda is based on the story of Vikram-Bethal. Vikram (Saif Ali Khan) here is a state police officer in Uttar Pradesh, while Vida (Hrithik Roshan) is a gangster who controls Lucknow. In a game of cat and mouse, Vikram encounters Veda three times. But each time the riddle forces Veda to reevaluate what is right and what is wrong. Each answer helps solve the problem he is working on. This beautiful and inspired multi-level setting is surrounded by thrilling battle scenes, action sequences and a dance number by Hrithik. There is something for everyone.
An animated Samurai Jack-inspired opening sequence sets the tone before heading to Lucknow. It's an interesting choice of historical setting, meant to be as far removed from the original Chennai as possible and enough to retain the earthy feel of the text. The movie starts off a bit inconsistently for the first 20 minutes. But the story kicks into high gear when the two main characters meet for the first time. Their chemistry is sizzling, and the best scenes in the film are always the ones where Vikram and Vida aren't fighting or shooting, but talking.
Perhaps the best part of this masala action movie is the dialogue. Depending on what you expect from this movie, that could be a good thing or a bad thing. But this is the signature of Pushkar and Gayatri. All of his previous works (the original Vikram Vedha or the amazing Suzhal web series) worked best when the characters talked to each other and told stories.
However, the case does not disappoint. Hrithik Roshan brings a different style and charm to Vijay Sethupathi's Veda. It's more flexible, less amateurish, but sometimes less loaded. The main thing is that it is different enough to have fun without any comparison. His fight scenes are beautifully crafted and beautifully executed. Gunfights become frantic again as heroes move around with plenty of plot armor. You can call them Kalashnikovs, but nothing beats them. It's the nineties.
What Vikram Vida needs is how to balance a two-hero movie. In a cop and gangster movie, the latter always comes with a hoot and a fanfare. The villains are actually more mysterious. But the storyline of Pushkar and Gayatri guarantees Vikram his future. He gives equal importance to both and does not allow one to eclipse the other. Saif Ali Khan seizes this opportunity and puts his energy into the look he gets. And no actor is better than the other in his scenes. It's like a dance where they guide each other seamlessly.
Both actors said it was their best work. Both are completely wrong. The performances here are decent and have no shadow of what these guys did in Amkara and Guzarish. Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi are good enough not to be overlooked most of the time. The supporting actors are solid, especially Radhika Apte and Shareeb Hashmi, the latter writing happily in a role that showcases his versatility.
Character accents are sometimes unpredictable, with many mixing the Bihari Maithali dialect with the Eastern dialect to create something unspoken in both regions. Although Saif and Radhika Apti frequently use "hum" and "Ama Yaar" from Saturday Mishra, the conversation does not take them both to Lucknow and Kanpur. But the cinematography and script fill in those gaps. PS Vinod's cinematography brilliantly captures the urban-rural fusion of the UP capital, bringing it almost closer to this story. Lucknow turned out to be a character in the film.
Vikram Vedha is a stylized, airy and somewhat sterile remake of a cult classic. All of these things have to match their size and mass and the stellar power they carry. The remake is a leftover from the original with a few things that could have made the movie even better. But in some areas, decision makers have chosen to prioritize style over content. The good thing is that it is not enough to attract attention or at least to disturb. Vikram Vida functions as a masala thriller and an action movie. It's fun and even creates a few whistles and hands in a crowded room. Although this price does not exceed INR 75, you will get what you pay for.
Vikram Veda
Directors : Pushkar and Gayatri
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, Radhika Apte, Yogita Bihani, Rohit Sarraf, Satyadeep Mishra and Sharib Hashmi
