WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Arrogance vs. confidence. The conflict between the two is often a very thin line, especially when it comes to feats achieved within the realm of professional sports. There are those can carry the swagger of consistent and accomplished victory with grace and humbleness, and there are those who push it in the face of others. But either way, the question remains–are you ready for the consequences? In the small town of Haryana, a local wrestling legend, Sultan Ali Khan (Salman Khan), resides and earns a meager living, his days of glory behind him. But, when the owner of a newly developed freestyle fight league, Aakash (Amit Sadh), comes looking to up his show’s ante via taking on an Indian wrestler, the offer is made to Sultan.
With a flashback to 8 years prior, it becomes evident why Sultan’s drive to compete is no longer paramount to him–the loss of love and everything that can come with it. At that time, he falls for a local female wrestler named Aarfa (Anushka Sharma), who ultimately becomes his one and only obsession besides learning to wrestle. As the two bond and their skills take them to a myriad of competitions and wins, a sudden change with Aarfa’s ability to compete leaves her on the sidelines as Sultan’s fame and celebrity peak. The cost of this, however, is dear and Sultan loses everything. Now, with a second chance to prove himself and his still-present love for Aarfa, plus striving under the training of coach Fateh Singh (Randeep Hooda), Sultan gears up for the fights of his life and a chance at redemption.
Next, my Mind:
The anticipation for writer/director Ali Abbas Zafar’s almost 3-hour long wrestling epic was already at fever pitch within this reviewer and to say the least–it was well worth the wait! With the flare and panache as only Bollywood cinema can deliver, the film engages the viewer from start to finish with a rousing musical score, wonderfully entertaining dance sequences, blunt force wrestling action, drama, romance, humor, and two lead actors who can truly dominate a movie screen. The pacing and cinematography accompany the narrative in a fantastically smooth execution that will leave you breathless one moment, then feeling heart-broken the next, then back to utterly fired up as the finale we all desire comes about. Honestly, folks, this is the “Rocky” of Hindi cinema, and it delivers just like it’s classic American counterpart, even if the sports presented are different.
There is no denying Salman Khan is an Indian national hero in both his films and in real life, primarily given the outburst of loud applause that broke out in the theater when he first appeared on screen. Able to present a character so overtly strong physically as well as driven to succeed in one moment, then turn around and be so soft in heart and playful in the next, Khan absolutely embodies it all and does it with a completely sincere, down-to-earth delivery you cannot help but be endeared by, even in the downturned times Sultan experiences that are of his own making. With just a big an impact, though, is Sharma, whose Aarfa is simply one tough woman. Unwilling to just give in to Sultan’s charms initially, her spunk and bravado, as well as her own wrestling skills, make her someone who will never be a pushover. But, like Khan, Sharma is also able to turn on the allure as the stunningly beautiful woman she is, but never lets you doubt her resolve to be strong-minded and in charge of her own choices.
Solidly acted supporting turns come in from Sadh as Aakash, the young, enterprising businessman looking to improve his product, as well as Hooda’s coach Fateh Singh, who has to gamble his and his gym’s reputation on what he sees as an old, washed-out fighter until proven wrong. In total, “Sultan” furnishes exactly what audiences desire–fun, action-centered, drama-filled, get-people-fired-up-for-the-underdog narrative– thanks to the charisma of one man known as Salman.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
Well wriiten raises anticipation. can’t wait to see it 🙂