Singh is Kinng  **1/2

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Om Puri, Sonu Sood, Yashjpal Sharma and Ranvir Shourey.

Directed by: Anees Bazmee 

WHAT IT'S ABOUT:

In his hey days, Amitabh Bachchan acted in innumerable films (Mr. Natwarlal, Khoon Pasina, Suhaag, Kaalia, etc.), which were never classics but still the biggest hits of their times. His overpowering presence and ability to tower above even the most ridiculous scripts made these films blockbusters; and him a superstar.


Akshay Kumar is probably repeating the same phenomenon now. He keeps proving that he doesn't need a 'classified' director or a solid script to churn out a hit – his presence is enough to do so. Anees Bazmee's Singh Is Kinng is not a flawless attempt but Akshay's star-power and uninhibited performance takes it to another level.


Simpleton Happy Singh (Akshay) has a penchant for falling into trouble. His village folk decide to send him to Australia to bring back home, Lucky Singh (Sonu) who now runs a crime syndicate abroad as  'King.' After an attempt on his life, Lucky is paralyzed and amidst confusion and chaos, Happy is crowned the new King.  Happy, in his new role, tries to rewrite the mob rules, things become more complicated when he falls in love with Sonia (Katrina) who's about to get married her fiancé (Ranvir). 

WHAT'S HOT:

The humor in Singh Is Kinng is senseless and sometimes totally illogical. But that's also the fun of it. It somehow reminds you of the Manmohan Desai and David Dhawan films of yore. You don't go looking for reasoning; because that's the genre the film belongs to.


Bazmee keeps the flow of the film brisk, which is good. Some of the comedy truly will crack you up (gang using Lucky as a trolley). The songs are a treat, especially the title number. Unlike Welcome, which had an ensemble cast to bank upon, this one has smaller stars playing important characters but each one is well-defined. Om Puri (as Happy's friend) is hilarious in parts (when Happy breaks his bhanda in front of a girl).


The mobsters, Yashpal Sharma (with his sad tales), Sudhanshu Pandey and Manoj Pahwa bring in the laughs. Sonu Sood, as the paralyzed King, has the most difficult part but plays it to perfection. Neha Dhupia as the Bollywood-crazy moll adds her charm. SIK sees Katrina Kaif's finest effort – she's improving with every film.  Akshay, is once again in fabulous form, as the coolest sardar ever seen on Indian screen. To his credit, not once does he make his character seem like a caricature. The impeccable timing; the awesome screen presence all add up to it. 

WHAT'S NOT:

Like in Welcome, Anees Bazmee falls short of a tight script. The juvenile attempts at raising humor can get on your nerves at times (Akshay's introduction scene with a hen). Bazmee's slapstick climax is another sore point. Why does he insist on such endings in each film? Ranvir Shorey doesn't have much scope and for once, even Jaaved Jaffrey disappoints. The twist in his character is meaningless and adds no value to the movie. 

WHAT TO DO:

Watch it for Akshay Kumar's one-man-show. The King has arrived.