Bollywood review: Even Govinda's dance moves can't save 'Kill Dil'

Barring the obvious similarity in title and a scene where Ranveer Singh wears a cheap imitation of Uma Thurman's legendary yellow suit, director Shaad Ali’s ‘Kill Dil’ is not a copy of Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Kill Bill’.

And, that’s a good thing, you’d think, until you let Ali assault your senses over 150 minutes, shoving in mush, gore, and thrills, without much thought or purpose.

‘Kill Dil’ is a bromance/romance disguised as an action thriller, leaving its leading men to flirt with guns at one point, or croon and sway at another. There's also an audaciously-dressed woman and a dancing star/gangster.

It’s not such a bad deal, considering most heroes in Bollywood juggle guns and lovers with panache, but here, the intent is so twisted that what is churned out in the name of cinema is a joke but not of the funny kind.

It’s the kind that could make you to reach out for the gun and pull the trigger. Well, not that dramatic, but definitely the kind that tests you on so many levels.

Ali lets his trigger-happy duo kick off the journey by letting them narrate their story in front of a handy-cam. Dressed in leather jackets and cowboy hats, the men chat up the camera, and talk about their inglorious past, and the sacrifices they’ve had to make.

The narrative shifts between the video, and the events they speak of, until Ali decides to abandon the exercise for the big reveal towards the end. Alas, his effort, although (probably) clever on paper, translates on screen as muddled.

Ranveer Singh and Ali Zafar play Clint Eastwood-styled gunmen with much gusto, but their characters are too sketchy and pretentious. Ranveer, though genuine in parts, is left pumping so much energy into Dev that you tire by merely watching him move. And, that's unfortunate considering he's talented. His "veg/non-veg jokes" that lead him to a world of LOLs and ROFLs is one of rare, genuine fun.

Zafar is unable to step out and own Tutu, and instead invests in the physicality to lend some authenticity to the character. He keeps his hair long, wears cool shades, and rides the stunning Bullet, but forgets to work on his voice modulation or his expressions.

Coaxing them to live a life of sin is Govinda who, despite playing the menacing goon, is unable to hide his dancing shoes. Whether he's happy or hopping mad, he prefers to dance and kill his stress.

Parineeti Chopra joins the guy gang with a shocking wardrobe, and flutters her lush eyelashes to create a world of reform and goodwill. It's so exaggerated that we cringe at how she reduces her act into one of ridicule. She even attempts to sizzle through a few songs but fails.

There's also (late) yesteryear actor Nirupa Roy, who makes a strange cameo as the "founder", and seasoned actor Alok Nath lends her adequate support.

With so much going against Ali’s chaotic take on romance and guns, we think it is best left unwatched.


 

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