Dhaakad

I remember being chuffed with the headline of my Revolver Rani review: Paan Singh Tarantino. There was a cool Walking-Dhulia-Talking-Tarantino ring to it. The Chambal-set 'Spaghetti Eastern' starred a post-Queen Kangana Ranaut doing the rugged cowgirl routine to uneven effect. The film didn't do too well. So eight years on, Ranaut is back with another female-led conquest of a male-dominated action template - except this time, it's Walking-Tarantino-Talking-Tarantino-Sleeping-Tarantino-Smoking-Tarantino. Half of Dhaakad is shot in Budapest, the other half in Bhopal. But the narrative style, treatment and characterization are combed from half a dozen Hollywood female-assassin thrillers, including but not limited to Atomic Blonde and Red Sparrow. The listless and derivative action flick is a missed opportunity, because it is centered solely on its brooding super-agent - sans romantic tracks, male saviours and nationalistic fervour - in a film industry that writes women spies as either token eye-candy, supporting acts in a hero story or undercover honeytraps. The intent is correct, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.

Read the full review on Film Companion.

Dhaakad review :

Out of the two Bollywood releases this weekend, I preferred Dhaakad for two main reasons : one is for its pulsating action sequences and second for Kangana Ranaut who has always impressed me as an actor since her debut Gangster (2006). On both the fronts - action and Kangana- Dhaakad met my expectations but sadly, fell woefully short at an overall level.

Don't know whats it with Bollywood but they just dont seem to get their secret agent stuff right. Sriram Raghavan's Agent Vinod (2012) was a royal drag and here, newcomer Razneesh 'Razy' Ghai falters completely with his Agent Agni. Kangana plays the titular character trained since childhood to become a ruthless killer and her latest mission oscillates from the calm streets of Budapest to the noisy coal mines of Madhya Pradesh which is apparently, the hub for human trafficking.

Next, Agni lands in the big bad place and tries to infiltrate the empire of a prostitution kingpin Rohini (Divya Dutta) who partners with the mine lord Rudraveer (Arjun Rampal) in this flesh business whose clients extend right upto some Sheikh in Budapest, no less. Before that, we get to see a black and white montage of quite too young Rudra and Rohini sweating it out in bed before beginning their illicit collaboration.

To be fair, the action sequences are superbly executed almost giving you a Hollywood movie feel. Charlie's Angels (2000) and Kill Bill (2003) are its obvious influence. The spectacular cinematography as well as the zany background score deserve a special mention as well. Razy Ghai's vision is clearly international but his script is rooted in 80's Bollywood. Especially that personal vendetta angle which creeps up and occupies most of the time post interval. C'mon dude, why do agents really need that?? Bond or Bourne never fought to avenge their pitaji's death, did they??!!!

Of the cast, Divya Dutta is super in a negative role. The brilliant actor that she is, Divya truly elevates Rohini to a different level altogether. Kudos! Arjun Rampal is also impressive as Rudraveer. Note the dining table scene where he plays a game of Russian roulette with a small girl.

As for Kangana Ranaut, her hard work and painstaking effort is visible in each and every action sequence. She is indeed marvellous as Agent Agni and this one had a franchise potential. Unfortunately, the insipid plot and an illogical climax defies it that!! Going by the zilch turnout at the Cinepolis Thane multiplex on a Sunday morning show, Dhaakad has no chance, whatsoever. Sorry Kangana!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Dhaakad is not so much a film as it is a series of embarrassments lasting over two hours. In an Indian film scenario that rarely gives women actors central roles in action flicks, the unwavering focus on Ranaut in Dhaakad should ideally have been a happy development. How though can one celebrate vacuous writing, dull direction and a boring result.

There's also a scene in which we are told that Agni has a rare congenital condition (one that does indeed exist in the real world - I checked) in which her heart tilts towards the right of her chest, unlike most human beings whose hearts lean to the left. I don't know if this was meant as a joke - but I know for sure the scene's concept is purely copied from 2009 film Ninja Assassin.

Given all this, the reference in the closing song is laughable, because even the worst of Tarantino is better than the most tolerable parts of Dhaakad and its insipid heroine.

Too unrealistic and the main protagonist thinks too much of herself as if she is a superwoman and whatever he dishes out people will accept not any more lasy u have fooled enough.

Very poor story in this film. They trying to copy Hollywood movie but actually looking like copy of a action game. It's much boring than playing an action game on game pad or mobile. Watching this movie is a totally waste of money. Watching the entire movie is no less than a torture and in reality there is no any point to watch this movie by wasting time and hard earned money 💰