‘Dabangg 2’: Salman Khan all set to sizzle once again

Gayatri Sankar

It’s been over 4 years now that Salman Khan has literally ruled the roost. Right from giving back to back blockbusters to thoroughly entertaining the audiences, the ‘Dabangg’ star has done it all. And with ‘Dabangg 2’, the sequel to his 2010 super-hit film, Salman promises to deliver something than will only better his previous on-screen appearances. With the film slated to release this Friday, Salman, his leading lady Sonakshi Sinha and debutant filmmaker Arbaaz Khan have been on their toes promoting the film at all possible spheres as possible. And rightfully so- it’s the last biggest film of the year and perhaps one of the most awaited ones! Khan and Sinha made their presence felt on the sets of Zee TV’s ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ last Sunday and that was where the actor spoke about unfolding something new with ‘Dabangg 2’. Hindi cinema saw the return of the hero who sported the handle bar moustache with great pride in ‘Dabangg’. Set in a rustic backdrop, the film showcased a misc-en-scene that is very much alien to the urbane audiences. Yet, the film raked in the moolah and enchanted movie goers by patronizing a countryside set up at a time when other film producers were busy grabbing foreign locales for celluloid. Music-director duo Sajid-Wajid’s music stole a million hearts with melodious track in ‘Dabangg’. And with ‘Dabangg 2’, the jodi has been able to rekindle the same flame. The number ‘Tere Mast Mast Do Nain’ sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has found stiff competition from ‘Tere Naina Bade Daghabaaz Re’. And ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’ has made way to ‘Fevicol Se’! The new number ‘Saanson Ne’ will make you recall the picturesque beauty of the Arab deserts that once witnessed Chulbul Pandey singing ‘Chori Kiya Re Jiya Mora Piya’ for his Rajjo. So it wouldn’t be unfair to say that in terms of music, ‘Dabangg 2’ has certainly created ripples. Now coming to Sonakshi, the saree clad ladylove of flamboyant cop Pandey Ji, the actress’s appearance seems to be an extension of Rajjo from ‘Dabangg’. The hottie looks drop dead gorgeous in six yards, a garment that looks nothing short of a ‘Shotgun Junior trademark’. Chulbul Pandey looks cool with his thin handle bar as always. So in terms of the look of the lead characters, nothing seems to have been altered much. Arbaaz, the director has stuck to the tradition, and why wouldn’t he have opted to do so, for it worked wonders for him as a producer the last time around. However, one change that looks pretty apparent is the absence of Sonu Sood, the notorious Chhedi Singh. Prakash Raj, thespian from down south has replaced Sood as the antagonist of the film. Considering the fact that the sequel to ‘Dabangg’ will see a non-rustic set-up, Prakash Raj’s attire (what we get to see in the trailers) reminds you of a tyrant zameendar. So it would be interesting to see how Chulbul Pandey deals with the villain in the film. The action sequences have certainly grabbed eyeballs and the dialogues with extra punch do promise a lot of entertainment. Abhinav Kashyap (director of ‘Dabangg’) might not have been missed by the cast & crew, but it would be interesting to see if the audiences can trace his absence while watching ‘Dabangg 2’. And most importantly, Arbaaz Khan’s first directorial venture will have to pass the litmus test! Nonetheless, ‘Dabangg 2’ has an uphill task of living up to the expectations of the audiences that has multiplied manifold. Critics must have certainly fastened their belts but are the ‘Dabangg’ fans of Salman Khan ready to witness fearless Chulbul Pandey set the silver screen ablaze once again? Yes is the answer, I believe.