Sultan Review : Salman Khan Stands Tall Yet Again!
Films based on sports usually adhere to a set formula- the protagonist achieves success, loses it all due to a personal tragedy and then rises like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes of his defeat. YRF film Sultan, which released this Eid, is no different… but when you have a stalwart like Salman Khan leading the film, entertainment galore is guaranteed.
Sultan Ali Khan (Salman) is an aimless youth from a village in Haryana, who runs a local cable business. When Sultan runs into Aarfa (Anushka Sharma), a state-level wrestler and promptly falls in love with her, he decides to train to be a wrestler to gain her respect and manages to do so with sheer grit and determination.
However, success soon goes to his head and his arrogance and overconfidence causes a personal tragedy, which drives a wedge between the couple. Following the tragedy, Sultan leaves wrestling at the top of the game and starts leading a meaningless existence, till a fresh challenge makes the 'Lion Of Haryana' decide to seek redemption through the sport that he had quit. What follows next forms the rest of the plot.
Salman, who had impressed the hell out of us in Kabir Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan is in top form as Sultan Ali Khan. Unlike his roles in Dabangg or Kick, Salman doesn't play to the gallery here and instead focuses on becoming the character, a raw 'son of the soil' wrestler, burdened down by the weight of a tragedy, but unwilling to throw in the towel. Salman's Sultan is one of the best wrestlers that India has produced, but that doesn't make him invincible. Indeed, his humility and his vulnerability makes the character more endearing and even if you are not a Salman fan, you might be tempted to cheer for the underdog here.
Anushka Sharma deserves a pat on her back for not being a typical 'Salman Khan heroine', who gets nothing to do but look pretty opposite the Bhaijaan. The actress has put her heart and soul in the film and there are scenes where she totally overpowers the Dabangg dude. Sharma's Aarfa is no shrinking violet, but a strong woman, who is sure about what she wants and doesn't need a man to tell her this, even if it is none other than her husband Sultan Ali Khan.
The film also stars Amit Sadh and Randeep Hooda in less meaty roles, but both the actors, especially Hooda, who plays Sultan's crusty coach for the MMA championship, put in a solid and decent performance. Anant Sharma, who plays Sultan's loyal sidekick Govind, makes you sit and take notice. Kumud Mishra, who plays Aarfa's father and Sultan's wrestling coach, is dependable as ever.
Ali Abbas Zafar weaves a story packed with solid emotions and drama and also manages to make Salman shed his stardom and play an underdog for the role (no mean feat, that!). The film borrows from other Hollywood sports flicks like Rocky and Warrior, but Salman charms you to such an extent that you end up forgiving the makers for reminding us of Sly Stallone and Tom Hardy in the few scenes.
The fight scenes are praiseworthy, whether it be in the dusty akhadas of Haryana or the brightly-lit MMA ring of New Delhi. The training sequences when Sultan gets into shape are also quite well shot and immensely inspiring (get ready to renew that gym membership, guys!) One can see that Salman has put in his blood and sweat to become 'Haryana Ka Sher' Sultan and the superstar deserves kudos for it.
Sone of the songs seem quite unnecessary and could have been avoided, but I guess when you are making a commercial entertainer, such things are a must, eh? Nevertheless, Sultan is definitely the best Eid treat that Salman could have given his fans.
SULTAN Official Trailer | Salman Khan | Anushka Sharma | Now In Cinemas
Subscribe to Entertainment HITS
-
Release Date : 06 July 2016
-
Banner : Yash Raj Films
-
Producer : Aditya Chopra
-
Director : Ali Abbas Zafar
-
Cast : Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma, Amit Sadh, Urvashi Rautela, Randeep Hooda
-
Genre : Drama