Shehzada: A Mediocre Remake Of A Feeble Story

Shehzada, released this Friday, is a Hindi remake of a Telugu Original- Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo where Kartik Aaryan as Bantu fills the shoes of Allu Arjun- the lead of the OG film. The plot is set when two babies are exchanged at the time of their birth by Valmiki (Paresh Rawal), where one of them happens to be his own and the other is of a Royal family he works for. He does this in animosity to the life he’s living while working for them since they never gave him the status he desired. He doesn’t want his son to live an ordinary life like his and thus goes on to exchange his child with that of the Jindals, with the intention of giving their child an ignominious life and seeing his real son live like a “Shehzada”.

Keeping all the logic aside, the plot is interesting enough. A lot of the stuff is not to be taken seriously since it's a mass entertaining dramedy. However, the disappointment occurs when the climax happens before the interval and numerous mini-plot points, that have nothing to do with the main plot, are simultaneously on in the second half. It reaches a point where you know what is happening yet you are confused because none of it is contributing to the actual conflict of the story. And, even though you are highly anticipating where these plots are leading, you are disappointed in the end because tada they don't lead anywhere. Some of them are predictable too.

The comical scenes are funny but not hilarious. The Punch lines are great until the scenes begin relying only on those, making it seem as if too much weightage is put on them to make the scene funny which it otherwise wouldn’t be. Few lines that are actually hilarious end up being repetitive (like Kartik mentioning his email Bantuka4@gmail.com multiple times or the “nikal, nikal” scene happening twice) One person cannot be expected to laugh at the same joke again and again- pretty much what happens here as well.

Kartik Aaryan delivers an honest performance as the lead. You can see that he has tried his best to fit in with conviction and shines bright in all the action sequences, looking rather suave in those slow-mo shots. If you are a “Kartikian”, you will be sold. But if you aren’t, he alone won’t be able to compensate for all the other dull factors since these shots aren’t contributing much to the narrative either. Also, I’m sorry Kartik but you can’t take over the iconic RK exits. That’s his business.

The rest of the cast of Shehzada is impressive initially as they all mold very well in their characters. Ronit Roy, Manisha Koirala, Paresh Rawal, and Sachin Khendekar are all potential actors but unfortunately have very less to contribute. The veteran Rajpal Yadav makes a cameo appearance, again having very little to deliver which makes him seem unnecessary.

Kriti Sanon (it kills me to say this) does nothing other than look hot and glamorous. She has no significant involvement in the plot other than being the hero’s “love interest” which is evident as she disappears amidst the story and then magically reappears only for dance in “Chedhkaniyaan”.

It is HIGH TIME heroines get their due in films which is much more than just being glamorous props. We are living in the 21st century for God’s sake!!

Overall, I feel like the film could have been better if the main conflict was resolved in the end and in a more dramatic way rather than the most obvious way. The scrupulous Valmiki could have given a chance to justify his actions which were rather grave and criminal instead of just showing the poor in a bad light and the rich in good light. Samara (Kriti) could have been involved in the conflict and her love story with Bantu could have had a proper ending but they forgot to conclude it, I think.

Watch or Skip?

Watch if- you love Kartik Aaryan and want to test your loyalty.

Skip if- you have watched the OG film because I can’t vouch for this remake to be better since I haven’t done the former.