The film starts with ex-army officer Jai Agnihotri (Salman Khan), a patriotic man who was dismissed from the army because he didn’t follow orders during an operation. Now he works as a mechanic and lives with his mother (Nadira Babbar). Jai is also the neighbourhood samaritan and follows a simple formula – instead of saying thank you, one must help three other individuals and ask them to do the same. He believes this will become a chain reaction that will improve society. From helping students with their exams, to solving kidnappings, beating up goons who are being mean to beggars, Jai does it all.
Jai’s sister (Tabu) is disrespected by goons due to Jai’s penchant for helping people. He also rubs Home Minister (Danny Denzongpa) the wrong way. This stirs trouble for Jai and his family. How the film unfolds forms the crux of the story.
The film is a remake of Stalin, a Telugu hit film which featured Chiranjeevi, and the story is not new to the Hindi audience either. The difference is, this film is not preachy.
Director Sohail Khan is back after 12 years as captain of the ship. His last outing was Maine Dil Tujhko Diya in 2002, which was also his launchpad as an actor. Also, the Khan brothers are back together after their 1999 film Hello Brother. With Jai Ho, their collaboration as actor-director has grown only bigger and better.
With Arbaaz and Salman entertaining the audience to the hilt, one expects no less from Sohail and Salman. Will they live up to expectations? Rest assured they do, delivering exactly as they had promised. The film does have its flaws but you’re in a forgiving mood since you’re served up a true-blue paisa vasool entertainer.
As a director, Sohail holds the story firmly and it’s his treatment of the film that holds your interest. The film also has the perfect beginning, with legitimate reasoning to Jai’s character. He fights but cries too and when he is angry, he is consumed by rage. Jai is a regular guy who extends himself to help people. But although larger than life, he is very grounded. The fact that the hero fights but with tears in his eyes, makes him someone, the audience can relate to, someone who has had enough!
However, the momentum of the film is firm in the first half but falls post-interval. It picks up during the action sequences, which are executed brilliantly. The film’s weakest point is its music and the lack of a hit song. Editing by Ashish Amrute is good but could have been better in the second half. Cinematography by Santosh Thundiyil is good.
Performance-wise, Salman Khan does what he does best and saying he is in form is an understatement. He portrays his character with the right balance of sensitivity and élan. In one word, he is OUTSTANDING!!! It’s always a pleasure to watch Tabu on the silver screen, and she plays her part with adequate shades of emotion. Danny Denzongpa suits his role and does a very good job. Nadira Babbar lends able support and is adorable as the mother. Daisy Shah makes an impressive and confident debut. Sana Khan tries hard to impress but fails. Child actor Naman Jain oozes confidence and plays his part brilliantly. Pulkit Samrat is fantastic. Mahesh Thakur, Ashmit Patel and Yash Tonk make their presence felt.
Guest stars Genelia D’Souza and Suniel Shetty play their parts with earnestness. The rest of the supporting cast – which boasts many reputed actors like Mohnish Bahl, Mahesh Manjrekar, Aditya Pancholi, Sharad Kapoor, Tulip Joshi, Varun Badola, Nauheed Cyrusi, Vatsal Sheth, Vikas Bhalla, Bruna Abdullah, Sudesh Lehri and Resham Tipnis – are well cast and do justice to their respective parts.
Verdict: Although the film is high on emotion and it connects with you, you miss Salman Khan’s antics, his comic timing and foot-tapping numbers. This may not go down well with his hardcore fans. And although the film has taken a fantastic start at the ticket counter, the lack of masala – true Salman Khan flavour – it may find it difficult to live upto sky-high expectations.
