Bollywood Review: Watch 'Dishoom' for Akshaye Khanna

While watching Akshaye Khanna in 'Dishoom', one can't help but be reminded of Rajinikanth's intro dialogue in 'Kabali' where the superstar sends some henchmen flying in a style that only he can turn into an art form.

As one such goon lays bleeding, Rajinikanth scoffs and says: "What did you think you would find? A goon from Tamil films, with a wart, a lungi and a twirling mustache?"

Clearly, that villainous style which sparked a generation of on-screen baddies between the '60s and the '90s, has now made way for the cool, suave 'Bad man' of cinema, of which, Khanna is a fitting torchbearer.

Some may remember him fill in similar shoes during 'Race', but the novelty value of seeing this talented actor on screen these days is such that even a mediocre film such as 'Dishoom' feels special.

Borrowing heavily from Hollywood's 'Bad Boys' and some such amalgamation of films that are heavy on the 'bromance', the stereotypical arc of the story is pretty much evident in the trailer - one cop is the smooth-talking, almost lovable buffoon, while the other comes with a chip on his shoulder that requires no explanation.

In the case of 'Dishoom', meet Junaid (Varun Dhawan) and Kabir (John Abraham), two cops on the chase of a missing cricketer who is believed to be kidnapped 48 hours before a crucial India-Pakistan final.

Kabir, a member of India's special task force,  is assigned to the case when India's Minister of External receives an email that its star cricketer Viraj Sharma (Virat Kohli anyone) has been kidnapped, not for any ransom mind you, but to sit out the final to allow Pakistan to win.

If you, like the rest of us, are probably wondering at this point, why alert the authorities in the first place if you have no ransom demand, then you are fresh out of luck or explanation.

As convoluted as this plot may be, Kabir is quick to flex his muscles on command and jet over to Abu Dhabi to find said cricketer with the help of the local Hindi-speaking police force that includes our bumbling Junaid.

Along the way, they duo gathers clues from a bunch of eccentric characters, including celebrity cameos by Nargis Fakhri, Akshay Kumar and a 'Desi Boys' throwback.

Jacqueline Fernandez ups the glamour quotient and joins in on the fun as she smuggles the two cops into a neighbouring country, which borrows its name and its premise from television's 'Tyrant'.

Ultimately, all roads lead from Abuddin to Abu Dhabi as the duo returns to save the day in a truncated climax that is as predictable as they come.

What works for 'Dishoom' is the chemistry that Abraham and Dhawan share, despite the cheesy and humourless lines. The fact that the twosome are easy on the eye probably earns them a few more points that they may have lost with their acting prowess or lack thereof.

Khanna brings sincerity to his role as the arch villain, and makes us wonder if the reclusive actor will make us wait another four years for his next Bollywood outing.

All said and done though, 'Dishoom' may not pack a steady punch like 'Sultan' or 'Kabali', but it doesn't bore at least.

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