Kurukshetra Review

Kutte, Suvar and even Maa Bahen #$@ (dog, pig and an expletive relating to genealogy that we decline to translate, respectively) have become ever so common in the current genre of action Hindi cinema dialogues. Bollywood folks commonly proffer that this is necessary to portray realism, but to deliver the moral of your film with a near-total reliance on crass language has to be the lamest of excuses.

Kurukshetra, the mythological battleground where good fought against evil, is the title of this much-touted film. What you have, though, is a movie that is more farcical than the WWF. And considering who the director is, sitting through this film is like going to your favorite barber's and experiencing, practically, his scissors' losing the edge.

Sanjay Dutt this time is ACP Prithvi Raj Singh, who is the typical honest cop, scared of no one. The ever so boring crusader of justice comes with all the necessary filmi requirements - a gorgeous wife, Mahima, and a loving sister. His first job is a sermon to his staff about corruption and the importance of honesty (how refreshing.). Next, he gets rid of all nefarious activities that are run by a certain Iqbal Pasina (well, at least the name is original). Then, he arrests the son of Babu Rao (Om Puri), the Chief Minister, for rape.

From here on begins the Kurukshetra. To add a twist to the story, the initially honest opposition leader helps Prithvi and later betrays him, and Iqbal Pasina becomes a foe turned friend. When events reach a boiling point, Prithvi is left with no option but to eliminate the evil. To justify the means to us audiences and the society (and the censors!), he is brought to 'Janta Ki Adalat', the television serial. Here, he is acquitted by the masses, and it is curtains.

This is a movie for all Sanjay Dutt fans, but one gets the feeling that even they may not like it. Manjrekar lets you down again. There are few performances that are noteworthy, but are sadly wasted in the entire scheme of things. The music is decent and the narration is tolerable.

Sanjay Dutt has nothing new to offer, and plays the usual macho man. Mahima looks good, but that's about it. Om Puri does his job, and the same for all the rest. All said and done, Kurukshetra is nothing but a boring blend of various Hindi action films.