Fateh

FATEH is a film that takes a fairly good idea, but dumb it down due to simplistic execution. Thankfully, the film isn't selling itself on the strength of its story, as the focus is clearly on its brutal R-rated action. It's a good thing that the action delivers, although it too suffers from some minor issues like excessive use of shaky cam, firing limitless amount of bullets from a single gun, villains conveniently not having guns or not choosing to shoot from long distance when hero is unarmed etc. For a first timer director, Sonu Sood does an admiring job, and he excels physically too in the lead role as the mysterious assassin. While watching this film, I got reminded of BEEKEEPER. The best thing that I liked about this film is that right from the beginning, there were no dull moments, and even though the film turned farfetched in many parts, it remained engaging throughout.

If the story was given a little more care, this could have turned into something really great. Alas! It wasn't meant to be.

A big shoutout to Vijay Raaz, the man totally chewed the scenery whenever he was on the screen. Although I was very disappointed by Naseer Sahab; not sure what went wrong, but he wasn't even a tiny bit menacing as the main antagonist. Jacqueline is meh (as always), and the decision to make his relationship with Fateh as a romantic one was clearly a mistake.

Overall, FATEH is a decent film that works due to its admirable idea and good action, although it would have worked even better had the screenplay been not so basic and improbable, and the core idea not so oversimplified.

Fateh, starring Sonu Sood in the lead role, takes viewers on a journey through the world of cybercrime, blending action, drama, and a sprinkle of social awareness. Directed by Sood himself, the film is an ambitious debut that touches on critical issues but slightly struggles to leave a lasting impression.

The story begins with Fateh (Sonu Sood), an ex-special ops officer turned peaceful village supervisor in Punjab, who is thrust back into action when a young girl from his village becomes a victim of a malicious cybercrime syndicate. Teaming up with Khushi Sharma (Jacqueline Fernandez), an ethical hacker, Fateh seeks to expose the criminals and deliver justice. The plot aims to shed light on the dangers of cybercrime while offering audiences a classic masala entertainer.

Sonu Sood fits well into the role of Fateh. Whether portraying a fierce special ops officer or a humble man living in a village, he brings sincerity to the character. His action sequences are compelling, and the emotional undertones of his performance highlight the character's genuine motivations.

Jacqueline Fernandez, as Khushi, gives her all but remains somewhat underwhelming due to a lacklustre character arc. While she looks good opposite Sood, her role as an ethical hacker could have been more robust and less reliant on the "beauty with brains" trope.

A special mention goes to Vijay Raaz, who portrays the antagonist Satya Prakash with his usual flair. While the character occasionally feels one-dimensional, it's refreshing to see Raaz step into a darker role, offering a performance that is both new and entertaining compared to his usual positive or comedic portrayals.

As a directorial debut, Sonu Sood's effort is commendable. The film's intent to spread awareness about cybersecurity is evident and appreciated. The direction is solid, though not groundbreaking, and the story has its heart in the right place. The cinematography captures the rural charm of Punjab well, but the VFX-heavy fight scenes could have been subtler and less distracting.

While Fateh deserves credit for its noble intentions and engaging lead performance, it ultimately falls into the trap of being just another formulaic action film. The somewhat uneven pacing, random inconsistencies, and underdeveloped characters keep it from reaching its full potential. The 'one-man army' approach felt unnecessary, as showing Fateh getting some backup would have made it more realistic -- but no, he must do it all alone.

For fans of Sonu Sood or those looking for a light masala entertainer with a socially relevant theme, Fateh might be worth a watch. However, it's not a film that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll.

Fateh is a decent action-packed movie that you rarely find in Bollywood these days. Fateh is not that good, but it is good compared to other action films with big names from the industry. I was so happy after hearing about this film. Finally, Sonu Sood is doing a film as a lead. He has been working in the industry for more than 20 years. With his charming personality and attractive features, he would have been a hero in mainstream movies. But he failed to grab lead roles because he was not from a family with a cinema background. Besides, he has six-packs, good height, a manly/masculine voice, fashion sense and decent acting, which was a constant threat for many of the nepo kids. As a result, he faced dirty politics in the industry and kept getting supporting roles. I believe Sonu will act in films like Fateh more in the upcoming days, at least two movies per year. Best of luck to him.

Fateh is not just a film, it feels like Sonu Sood has poured his heart and soul into it. Making his directorial debut, Sonu delivers a total paisa vasool experience, packed with emotion, action, and a strong dose of patriotism. From the first scene itself, he grabs your attention not just with his massive, muscular, hot body and chiselled six-pack, but with the fire in his eyes and his powerful screen presence.

As the lead, Sonu is outstanding. Whether it's the intense fight scenes, the emotional dialogues, or the silent moments of pain and sacrifice, he does it all with full sincerity. The action sequences are top-class, raw, real, and very stylish. You can clearly see the effort he's put in, both as an actor and as a director. The patriotic angle in the film hits hard. The background score, the visuals, and the emotions connect straight to the heart!

What's clear is that Sonu Sood deserves more lead roles. He's a total package-looks, talent, and heart. It would be amazing to see him as a lead in Malayalam or Bengali cinema too! He can definitely bring something new and powerful to regional films. With Fateh, Sonu has proved he's not only a fantastic actor but also a strong director. He truly deserves National Awards in both categories for Fateh. Hats off to him for making such an impactful film. We hope this is just the beginning of many more blockbusters from him.

Sonu Sood has done a commendable job as both an actor and director. His presence on screen is strong, and the film's editing features some creative transitions that add a refreshing touch. The songs are beautifully placed and perfectly complement the narrative.

However, the action scenes fell short of expectations, feeling quite generic and failing to connect with the story's emotional depth. The movie struggles to deliver on the emotional aspect overall, starting and ending slowly without offering any memorable high points for a couple-oriented genre.

The background music during action scenes was underwhelming, lacking the impact needed to elevate those moments. While there are flashes of brilliance, the film could have done more to balance its emotional and action elements for a stronger impact.