Zulmi Review

Close on the heels of the Akshay-Twinkle marriage, we see a re-release of the pairs' last venture. Bad script and boring screenplay notwithstanding. Either the distributors are really are as unimaginative as it seems or they take the audience as complete idiots, who'd subject themselves to such a disastrous movie again just because the lead pair got married.

But one does have to accept that Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna do have a chemistry between them. As a couple, on screen or otherwise, they look a perfectly match. The tall and robust Twinkle with her healthy vivaciousness perfectly complements Akshay Kumar's brawny Punjabi machismo. After International Khiladi, the duo once again displays that crackling energy to add a spark to Zulmi.

And thank God for small mercies. For Zulmi comes alive only in those bits and patches when Akshay and Twinkle are either sparring with each other or simply falling in love. For the rest, the film is so lackluster, it almost puts you to sleep. So what if Akshay tries hard to pitch in a restrained portrayal of a brother who wants to avenge the death of his sister? And Amrish Puri delicately does the tightrope walk between playing a godfather to his erstwhile benefactor's wayward son (Milind Gunaji) and a fond father to his spoilt daughter (Twinkle).

The film may be peppered with the usual stunts and action sequences that are part and parcel of every Akshay film, but it lacks the punch that could push it center stage at the box-office.

Spare yourselves the 'zulm' of Zulmi, and you will sleep better at nights.