Near 100% rating. (Review by Raeesa Abdul-Karrim)It seems most appropriate to begin with a mention of DON (1978) and its remake DON: The Chase Begins (2006) as there will undoubtedly be comparisons made between them and DON 2: The King is Back. The 1978 Amitabh Bachchan starrer was a major hit of its time, reaching true cult status in India. With its major star cast, gripping storyline and award winning soundtrack, DON has been a firm favourite amongst its generation of Hindi cinema viewers.
In 2006, director Farhan Akhtar took on the daunting task of remaking the blockbuster - granted having a father (Javed Akhtar) who co-wrote the original script might have helped and inspired him - however that doesn’t secure its success. There are those who will argue that remakes are a waste of time and that the original speaks for itself, however DON: The Chase Begins further increased the popularity of super villain DON.
The 2006 version starred “King Khan” Shah Rukh Khan as DON, Arjun Rampal, Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani and other popular Bollywood actors, with Kareena Kapoor in a guest appearance. The script was adapted for a more contemporary audience with a few twists being added to the already successful tale, as well as modern special effects and other cinematic treats. There is no doubt that this story was worth being retold as the film went on to being the fifth highest grossing film in India that year.
However, 2011 is definitely the year for slick, stylish, visually mesmerising Hindi films. Starting with Ra. One earlier this year to DON 2: The King is Back. Released under the Excel Entertainment banner, this new concept of DON the villainous hero has the incredibly multi-talented Farhan Akhtar once again at the helm. He has directed, produced and written the film. It can only be described as an action thriller at its best. The first half gradually heightens your interest, while the second half is fever-pitched gripping entertainment. Shot in Malaysia, Switzerland, Germany and India, it is truly a visual feast as far as locale is concerned. It’s also important to note that even though it is a sequel, knowledge of the previous films is not essential.
The story begins with the last words of the previous film and then moves on to DON’s (Shah Rukh Khan) life now five years on. Without revealing too much DON, now the head honcho of the entire Asian underworld wants to expand his drug empire into Europe. Much to the dissatisfaction of the European drug lords, they then launch a plot to eliminate DON. Faced with the dilemma of assassination or arrest and eventual execution, DON devises a cunning plan, which firstly includes getting himself arrested in Malaysia, where we once again meet Roma (Priyanka Chopra) who is now working with the police. She has joined Malik’s (Om Puri) team and has made it her life’s goal to capture DON. DON’s meticulous plot is slowly unravelled with stunning special effects and awesome action sequences that had the audience gasping, sighing and more often than not on the edge of their seats because you never know what DON’s next move will be.
Shah Rukh Khan is flawless as DON, after years of seeing him as the romantic hero, his portrayal of DON is going to leave audiences rooting for the bad guy. It is a rare sight for his fans to see him as a gunslinger donning a scruffy beard and long hair even if it is for a short segment of the film. He is ruthlessly evil, selfish, manipulative and yet charismatic, endearing and sexy all at the same time. His delivery of the Don-isms are quite memorable and they are already doing their rounds on Twitter. Most popular by far is the original “Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahin, na-mumkin hain” (It is not just difficult to catch Don it is... impossible).’
In her return as Roma, Priyanka Chopra is convincing. She adequately illustrates the determination and frustration of not being able to capture DON after all these years as well the confusion as a result of their relationship in the previous film. Boman Irani, Om Puri, Nawab Shah and Kunal Kapoor all excel in their portrayal of their respective characters. In fact, the entire star cast are commended for the conviction and naturalness they provide to their characters.
Music maestros Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are responsible for the soundtrack, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar. The music ties in fairly well with the film. However, its appeal actually only increases after watching DON 2: The King is Back. Considering the other soundtracks released this year, DON 2: The King is Back falls a little short. This may be the only minor downfall of the film but it does not make it any less enjoyable or take away from its international appeal.
Unfortunately, only in an ideal world will there ever be a perfect film that satisfies every single audience member. But if you are looking for a fast-paced action thriller filled with a rollercoaster of surprises this festive season, DON 2: The King is Back is highly recommended, whether you are a regular Bollywood movie goer or not. Who knows? It might get you hooked on Hindi films or the DON franchise, as the end of the film hints at a possible third instalment. Exciting News!!
DON 2: The King is Back is now showing at Ster Kinekor Gateway. I’ve give it a near 100% rating. – Raeesa Abdul-Karrim
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