Review : Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan : Expensive but futile Eidi from Salman Khan!

#Hindfilmindustry has always thrived on star power for years together. But in a last decade or so, new generation audiences do not pay heed to the so called star power and supports films if the content and overall presentation is right. Gone are the days of ‘Masala Films’ where different ingredients viz. romance, action, songs, social divide were used in addition to the star’s popularity and the film would be hit. But as the viewers are exposed to the world cinema, they are ruthless with films which still are following ‘Masala’ format. Majority of Hindi films released recently have tanked at the box office and it’s time for the ‘stars’ to understand that today’s viewers are difficult to take on a ride.

Salman Khan starrer Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan has used ‘expired’ masala and their ‘dish’ would not be relished by many. Salman Khan should use his stardom and acting capabilities with a solid script, otherwise it’ll be a doomsday sooner. Also it affects the Hindi film industry on the whole when a superstar film flops. Coming back to KKBKKJ it’s a mundane and humdrum affair with a few sparkling things thrown around. It’s based on a Tamil film Veeram released in 2014.

Bhaijaan (Salman Khan) is an orphan hence doesn’t have any name. He adopts three other orphans and to look after them gives up his love, Bhagya (Bhagyashree). Years later in Delhi, the bhais, Ishq (Raghav Juyal), Moh (Jassie Gill) and Love (Siddharth Nigam), grow up and falls in love with Sukoon (Shehnaaz Gill), Muskaan (Palak Tiwari), Chahat (Vinali Bhatnagar) respectively. Since their Bhaijaan has remained bachelor till date, they can not go ahead in their love life. So they decide to get their Bhaijaan hooked. Luckily a young girl coincidentally named Bhagya aka Bhagyalaxmi (Pooja Hegde), a girl from Hyderabad comes to their mohalla and wants to rent a house. They offer help and she starts staying in a house owned by Bhaijaan. By the way, one politician, Mahavir (Vijender Singh), has eyes set on this mohalla but Bhaijaan comes in his way of land grabbing. Bhagya falls for these three brother’s Bhaijaan who becomes her ‘Jaan’. After a few songs and a few fights it’s revealed that Bhagya’s Bhai Balakrishna Gundamaneni (Venkatesh), who detests violence, is being harassed by a local baddie Nageshwar (Jagapathi Raju) is after his and his family’s lives. Bhaijaan vouches to protect the Gundamaneni family and what transpires after and in between forms the crux of the story.

Though the original Veeram was a successful film, it did not have much of a cinematic potential. Writers Farhad Samji, Sparsh Khetarpal and Tasha Bhambra have adapted it into Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (earlier it was titled Kabhi Diwali Kabhi Eid) and have done a messy job of it. Frankly the film is used to Tom Tom about the superstar Salman Khan and it doesn’t serve the purpose of storytelling. Director Farhad Samji (Entertainment, Housefull 3, Bachchan Pandey) doesn’t show any improvement in his craft as compared to his earlier films as a director. By now he should understand that a few one-liners and stardom of an actor doesn’t guarantee a good film. Good scripting is important which is lacking in KKBKKJ. Moreover he hasn’t been able to do justice to Salman Khan’s acting capabilities and super stardom.

Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan can boast of good action (ANL Arasu). The actions scenes in a Metro train and in the climax stand out and the bare chested look of Salman Khan will be liked by his die hard fans, including female fans. He justifies ‘heroism’ once again with this film. Salman Khan has done good job in whatever he has been asked to do and as a producer he has played a smart game by inducting superstars from the south film industry. Salman proves a point here that there’s no match to him in an action genre, as discussed, though in humour, in Shahrukh Khan’s Pathaan. He continues to maintain his larger-than-life image but the script fails him. The long hair doesn’t do justice to his persona but when Salman returns with cropped hair the screen looks more illuminated. The cinematography is excellent which accentuates the production values of the film. Music is good especially ‘Naiyyo Lagda’ by Himesh Reshamiya. The background score should have been a little less jarring.

Raghav Juyal, Jassie Gill, Siddharth Nigam, Shehnaaz Gill, Palak Tiwari, Vinali Bhatnagar do get a chance to be in many frames with Salman Khan. Boys get a couple of lines but the girls become mere decorative pieces of the frames. Pooja Hegde is a revelation. She looks pretty and has delivered a fabulous performance. She has displayed many shades in her portrayal and her comic timing stands out. She has danced well and looks fresh in all the frames. She maybe the only one who is going to benefit from KKBKKJ.

Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan may be an expensive Eidi from Salman Khan to his fans, but is pointless and purposeless.

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