In recent times, there’s a spurt in remakes in Hindi film industry. Recently released #AntimTheFinalTruth was adapted from a Marathi film #MulshiPattern and #NushrrattBharuchha starrer ‘#Chhorii’ was a remake of another Marathi film ‘#Lapachhapi’. There’s another adaptation which hit the screens. It’s #Tadap which is an adaptation of a Telugu film #RX100, which was based on the real life incidents of a person named Siva. All the original were hits and that’s the reason the film makers were attracted towards them. Talking of Tadap, it’s a launching pad for Ahaan Shetty, son of #Bollywood actor #SunilShetty. He’s been showcased as an action hero and he heavily scores there. He has a splendid screen presence and he has done a decent job, overall. Ahan gets a ‘damdaar’ entry which looks impressive too.
When a remake releases there are bound to be comparisons. RX 100 consisted of raw action and raw passion between the lead pair as it was the crux of the story. But in Tadap though the action part is good, it fails to capture the physical attraction part in the lead characters. The story happens in Mussoorie where an orphan Ishana (Ahan Shetty) stays with his foster father (Saurabh Shukla) who runs a theatre, Mussoorie Talkies, in the sleepy town. He helps the local politician Nautiyal (Kumud Mishra) win an election. Nautiyal’s daughter, who is studying in London, Ramisha (Tara Sutaria) comes down to visit her father and a grandmother (Mangal Kenkre). During the election winning procession she spots Ishana and gets attracted towards him. She finds him a simpleton, so she takes things in her hands and leads him to fall for her, even teaching him how to kiss. Their love grows stronger and both decide to get married. But her father is against this liaison and in a hurry Ramisa is marries off to a London businessman and packed off to UK. Here, Ishaan becomes a Devdas, sans alcohol though, and keeps pining for her. She comes to visit Manali after three years and Ishana tries to win back his love once again. Her father and his goons beat him up but he doesn’t relent. And the story throws an unexpected twist which makes the story more intense.
If you have seen RX 100, then you maybe be aware of the interesting twist in the film. But for the first timers it’s kind of a shock. The screenplay is tightly written which covers romantic portions in the first half and the second one deals with the action. But the high points underlining the female character’s role is missing in the remake. The females too have sexual desires and they too can get aroused looking at a chiseled male body. This fact was mainly underlined in the Telugu version, which looks lacklustre in Tadap. The dialogues are lyrical and rhyming which a section of the audience, who enjoy ‘Dialoguebaazi’, will like it much more. The film can start a debate on female ‘desires’ and ‘Boyfriend material’ v/s ‘Husband material’. Also it talks about love can not be won over by force giving a ‘Rubber Band’ example. The music is good and it helps the narrative. Cinematography beautifully captures the untapped locales of Mussoorie.
Ahan Shetty has been given a chance to showcase whatever he has as an actor and he doesn’t disappoint. He looks good and his actions scenes are convincing. He displays two shades of the character nicely but needs to improve in his dialogue delivery. Tara Sutaria looks ravishing and doll-like. She seems to have improved as an actor because the important scene in the second half, she pulls it off effortlessly. Kumud Mishra and Saurabh Shukla are excellent as always. Milan Luthria has not left any dull moment in his narration and has excellently helmed the film.
Ahan Shetty’s debut film ‘Tadap’ is a romantic-action entertainer.
Rating: ***
