Meenakshi talks about how Bullet Raja promo failed to impress her and why.
There are two types of directors – Those who want to make films and the other type whom you want to make more movies. Tigmanshu Dhulia is of the second breed; one of those very few directors of our time, who I believe, don’t need any kind of publicity, marketing gimmicks or even big stars to get audience to theatres. After watching Haasil, Saheb Biwi aur Gangster and Paan Singh Tomar, when I heard he was coming up with Bullet Raja, trust me I was waiting to get a glimpse of how the promo would look like. But, surprisingly the promo did not impress me at all.
Was it because Saif Ali Khan was looking too old or because of Sonakshi Sinha, who appeared no different than in Rowdy Rathore, Son of Sardar and the likes? It took me some time to analyze. Hard to judge, given the director is one of my favourites, yet I could not curb the urge to satiate my critical self.
Firstly, I still count Langda Tyagi as Saif Ali Khan’s best on-screen character till date and in this promo, while he did look rustic, somehow the charm of Langda Tyagi was missing. You know those negative characters that compel you to fall in love with them! I wished Raja Mishra looked as convincing as his rustic appeal.
“Iss Saal, Swagat keejiye, Tamanchon ke raja ka” when I read this line in the beginning of the promo, it took me back to Gangs of Wasseypur. The only thing missing was ‘keh ke loonga’. Ignoring that, I looked forward only to get upset with this pastoral promo end with ‘This season he is fully loaded’. Where did the consistency of the feel go?
Talking of inconsistencies, Saif Ali Khan’s look in the promo shuttled between that of a terrorist in Qurbaan and a dapper honcho in Race. I think this time he did not get time to groom himself for the role and ditched the character makeover for his London trips with Bebo.
I was expecting at least one line from all the characters, but it was only Saif Ali Khan who was doing all the talking. No dialogue from Sonakshi and Jimmy Shergill or even a flirtatious line from Mahi Gill, who by the way looked like a replica of Gauhar Khan from Ishaqzaade.
Really, for someone like me whose life revolves around watching movies, talking about it and dreaming about making one, this promo was a sheer disappointment. I don’t know if I am being too critical.
