Sultan: Wholesome entertainer

First things first. The much-touted briefer than brief chaddi that Salman Khan sports for Sultan makes quite a, well, brief presence, almost like an apology that needs to buried deep into the quilts of embarrassment.

Just a minute or maybe even less in the movie and Sallu’s “rape-like” clothing is done and over with in just two short scenes.

Now, about the film. Surprisingly, this one is not any of those tapori-mixed I-am-superstar kind of movies that Sallu habitually catapults into the 100 crore club just by being himself.

This one is an all-out performance, rippling like Salman’s muscles, his journey from being front benchers’ Sallu to emerging as Salman Khan, liked by all strata of viewers. It’s as much director Ali Abbas Zafar’s film as it is Salman’s, Anushka’s or the support cast’s. It is a wholesome entertainer, serious in places, utterly romantic and, of course, serenading the main topic — wrestling — in life as much as in the ring, through Salman’s upturned moustache, deep-thinking eyes and pehelwan abs, not to mention the innate swagger in his screen personality.

The only weak link, despite Vishal-Shekhar’s bottomed reputation as music directors, despite the blockbuster “Baby ko base pasand hai” and the earthy slow numbers, the songs are not instant hummers. However, the crescendo that the movie sports all through is brilliantly managed through a befitting background score.

All the Haryana in the film is delectably OTT and all the sory, se and kya kehewen hain ungrejji mein give great sound to the film as well as ambience. That a two-hour-50-minute movie keeps you rooted all through (except for one or two songs) speaks volumes about props beyond having Salman as the centrepiece.

Anushka sizzles in her performance with and away from Salman despite the mouth and nose job she’s got done. As an earthy State-level wrestling champion, she manages to balance the Delhi and the Rewari in her personality with elegance. Her mispronounced English adds to her persona well.

The romance between Salman and Anushka pulsates too with becoming dialogues like (Hamare yahan divorce nahi hota, ladai jhagde hote hain) and the rude life lessons that Anushka gives Salman in the film.

Wrestling, too, is dealt with a reality punch with YRF hiring real-time wrestlers and live fight artists from all over the world. Nothing in the ring (which stakes priority in the second half) gives you ennui even if you are no sports buff. Contrarily, if you are into sport, you will find not too many unreal moments in the fights.

Overall, Sultan is a riveting family entertainer and a gold rush for Salman fans. Yet another blockbuster from this Khan, this Eid, this year. In this one Salman does no wrong, even giving a ‘like’ for SRK! 

Source: Sunday Pioneer, July 10, 2016