An Action Hero

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Whether it be his breakthrough role in "Vicky Donor (2012)" or his bravery in picking up uncomfortable subjects that typical heroes in Bollywood shy away from such as in "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017)" (hero with erectile dysfunction) and "Bala (2019)" (balding hero), Ayushmann Khurrana has always managed to surprise audiences with his films. Just when one was starting to think that the star's career had hit a zenith and was on a downward spiral with recent flicks like "Anek (2022)" and "Doctor G (2022)" failing to make any impact at the box office, the virtuoso performer turns it up a notch with a film laced with razor-sharp wit and immense fun that is sure to entertain audiences across the spectrum. Ayushmann stars as "Maanav Khurrana" a quintessential egotistical Bollywood hero with an overblown sense of self, a clear satire on the mainstream heroes of the Hindi industry. How the star gets enters into a bitter feud with a Haryana strongman politician "Bhurra" (played by an immense Jaideep Ahlawat) and the ensuing chaos forms the rest of the story. Director Anirudh Iyer threads the needle with the screenplay, finding the right balance between bone-crunching action and rib-tickling zingers to keep audiences hooked. The script by Neeraj Yadav never lets up in the number of twists and turns it brings in during the chaotic journey of our two lead protagonists, with the excellent action choreography and stunts adding mass to the witty zingers and one-liners that form part of the cat and mouse chase. The storytelling and direction are so on-point that even the placement of an item number serves to move the narrative forward convincingly and without the tension and fun element dissipating. Ahlwat and Khurranna consistently one-up each other during their combination sequences, serving to elevate both their performances. After a string of pedestrian mainstream misadventures and template remakes, Bollywood has really turned a corner in 2022 with wholly original entertainers like "Darlings", "Monica O My Darling", "Bhediya" and now "An Action Hero". One hopes that the top film industry in India finally understands audience exhaustion with constant remakes and films that tread the beaten path and invests more time and energy towards fresher and more disruptive scripts and storylines. Trust Ayushmann to lead the way in this direction-" An Action Hero" is a surefire must-watch in theatres!

Over the years, we have watched actioners in Bollywood consistently leaving much to be desired so much so that we concluded that this genre just comes with its limitations. An Action Hero breaks that myth. Billed as a slick-actioner, this film doesn't reduce itself to worshipping of shirtless male bodies, genre-contradicting slow-motion effects, non-sensically infused item numbers, melodrama, unfunny jokes or lazy writing clubbed with flying cars and blasting CGI. Right from the start, the director Anirudh Iyer takes the genre seriously and moves at a hyper pace almost giving the audience no time to absorb it. There are punches flying as fast as the punchlines and most, if not all, of them land with perfection. Even when An Action Hero concedes to the Bollywood remix dance number formula, it doesn't let go of its strong grasp with reality and its conviction for the story. It's applaudable how An Action Hero manages to tread the fine line between being condescending towards its own audience and being satirical towards the public at large with absolute finesse. The film is filled with references to real incidents but they aren't done in a self-eulogising manner - of which Bollywood is a repeat offender - rather it is a self-aware attempt at storytelling often critiquing itself along the way. Its critique through hilarious parodying of the ridiculous TRP-hungry media, fickle public perception and the corrupt establishment works as smoothly as Ayushmann Khurrana in parkour scenes. This is the most different role in Ayushmann's career and yet he slips into it with such ease that you'd forget that he's the same man commonly known as the torchbearer of social change in Bollywood. He delivers the charm of a star, the narcissism of a rich and famous man, the slick actions of a fighter and moral greyness of the protagonist with neatness. His screen presence is remarkable but his winning scene is definitely the one in the boat. Jaideep Ahlawat is a gem who doesn't slip up even once. His thuggish demeanor doesn't cease even in more toned down scenes. The only complaint is that when the film pivots in the second half, it forgets to take the audience along with it. The jokes remain funny and the action, bordering on the jumpscare, continues to be slick but the narration becomes less engaging. The film then rides on the very able shoulders of its lead actors until the climax when it all comes together in one swift flick. The film is entirely devoid of melodrama and filled with grey characters that the sanctimonious section of the masses would find hard to side and connect with. The film, thus, is a courageous attempt in a plethora of ways and calls for a necessary viewing. Go for it!

Just watch An Action Hero on OTT- mainly for Jaideep Ahlawat. Was underwhelmed because of how little I cared for the characters. Ayushman's character was not clear at all - no depth nor consistency - was he a narcissist who believed his own myth or a guy who is good deep inside but caught in a bad situation - the writer/director wanted to have it both ways and that I believed unravelled the film. It would have been a superb film if we got to see a narcissistic "villain" movie hero versus real life villain/don. Jaideep's character was unidimensional and such a waste of talent. Ending would have landed like a bomb if they had leaned into "the action hero" being a real life villain. If that was what they were trying they failed.

While the writing and direction is clever, witty and the humour, so relevant and oh so self-aware. The film is not happy just being that... at the same time it is also a relentless chase thriller Having ayushmann Khurana who is the eternal boy next door "raja beta" play a badass action hero is in itself a statement. It is meant to put you off initially. Yeh kaise action hero. Then throughout the film, it works hard to prove itself wrong and make you believe. "haan yeh action hero hai" But the man who almost steals the show right under the nose of Ayushmann is Jaideep Alwaahat - a terrific actor who finally finds his groove after the brilliant patal lok. His presence elevates the movie and gives it the credibility that it needs, which it uses fully.

Again bollywood putting its propganda in the movies rather than focusing on stories. They trued to show why bollywood have photos with underworld.first half is good and second half is full of non sense. Ayushman is good, ahalwat steels the show. Showing media houses against bollywood not exactly. Most of the thibgs are true about bollywood. Again bollywood putting its propganda in the movies rather than focusing on stories. They trued to show why bollywood have photos with underworld.first half is good and second half is full of non sense. Ayushman is good, ahalwat steels the show. Showing media houses against bollywood not exactly. Most of the thibgs are true about bollywood.

How did he sign this movie? How does a story like that make any sense? An actor who is an 'action hero's in his movies ends up doing stunts, defeating the UK police and goons like a joke? How? To run away from a death that happened by accident, he has to take refuge in UK? Like the Visa is given in a minute? Ok the star could have had it before, how about the character of Jaideep? A guy who wants to avenge his brother's death can just fly without winking an eye? And the humor they tried to induce was not funny, the action was not digestible, nothing made sense. Ayushman has to really hire someone to read stories before signing his movies. I am grateful I watched it on Netflix where I could fwd more than half the movie. Would have felt the pain I'd spent the money on a ticket. Please save your time.