Review : ‘Antim : The Final Truth’ scores with the realistic action laced with emotional undercurrents!

In 2018 a Marathi film ‘#MulshiPattern’ was released and it was a superhit despite being a gangster movie. The story of the film was based on real incidents where farmers had to sell their lands and start working on the same farms once owned by them and that aspect was liked by the audiences. The film is remade in Hindi by #SalmanKhan Productions as ‘#AntimTheFinalTruth’. In this remake almost 80% of the original script has been used and an Inspector’s part which is played by Salman Khan has been developed into a bigger role. Antim scores on the graph of the story and the emotional undercurrent running throughout the film helps it retain audiences’ attention. It’s an evil vs good film involving gangsters and police. In the present scenario in the country as regards to farmers, this film may catch attention as it showcases the problems faced by them and the atrocities meted out to them by the rich strata of the society who are hand in glove with the politicians.

Rahul (Aayush Sharma) is a 8th standard drop out and jobless who whiles away his time with his friends including Ganya (Rohit Haldikar). His father (Sachin Khedekar) has lost his land due to the atrocities of a local goon Nanya Bhai (Upendra Limaye). He starts working at as hamal at the market yard. During a ‘hafta-vasooli’ by the Corporator’s goons he entangles in a fight which leads to bigger fight which culminates in a murder. Rahul aka Rahulya is saved by Nanya Bhai who takes him under his wings to further his land grabbing business. He falls for a girl named Manda (Mahima Makwana) who sells tea at the market yard. When Rhulya comes to know that his father’s current plight is because of the same Nanya Bhai he murders him. Meanwhile a police inspector Rajveer Singh (Salman Khan) has been keeping an eye on these goons or bhai’s activities. He tries to make Rahulya understand about the wrong path chosen by him but Rhulya doesn’t relent. Rahulya becomes a big name in the local underworld and is dreaded by other gangsters. But destiny has different thing in mind and after innumerable murders and electrifying fights the movie throws a message.

The movie is a remake of a marathi film and hence the story has a substance in it, though there’s not much novelty available here. The screenplay is super fast but drags a bit in the beginning of the second half. But the climax will be a shocker for many who haven’t seen the original movie. Film’s dialogues are preachy at times but Salman Khan’s one-liners (Tu Pune Ka Bhai hain to Main Hindustan Ka Bhai Hun, Jab Sardar Ki Hategi To Sabki Fategi etc) will please his fans no end. This remake is directed by Mahesh Manjrekar and he has done a swift job and never looks confused while presentation. He has maintained the pace of the film and has intelligently woven emotional undercurrent in almost all the scenes. Usually Salman Khan starrer has lilting music but this film can be an exception but the background score is top notch. Cinematography is excellent as well as the production design.

Talking of acting, Aayush Sharma has delivered a solid performance in a grey shaded role and has come a long way from his romantic ‘Love Ratri’ days. His physique too makes him stand out in the movie and his and Salman’s bare chested fight sequence could be the highlight of the film. Though Aayush should hone his acting skills while delivering emotional scenes. Salman Khan is stupendous and fabulous in a subdued role. Though his fans prefer him in a larger than life role, here he delivers a fantastic performance, sometimes underplaying the character effectively. His bare chested avatar certainly is whistle-worthy and his fans, especially female fans, will go ga ga over it. Mahima Makwana has a television background and her emotional scenes are well etched out as well as a sole romantic number. She makes her presence felt in a limited screen time. There are innumerable actors from Marathi industry who deliver punching performances. Sachin Khedekar, Sayaji Shinde (police personnel), Upendra Limaye, Uday Tikekar (ruthless businessman), Sharad Ponkshe (local MLA), Chhaya Kadam (Rahulya’s mother), Siddhi Dalvi (Rahulya’s sister), Bharat Ganeshpure (Gangsters’ lawyer) and Nikitin Dheer, Jisshu Sengupta (both gundas) do full justice to their roles. Mahesh Manjrekar (Manda’s drunkard father) excels in a small role and Rohit Haldikar delivers a punching performance as Ganya. There are songs picturised on Varun Dhawan and Waluscha DeSouza which add glitter to the movie.

‘Antim : The Final Truth’ does entertain with it’s action and emotions and this mass entertainer is worth watching on the big screen.

Rating: ***1/2