Review: 'Kabzaa' is nothing but a horribly crafted version of KGF in a parallel universe

Underworld Ka Kabzaa

After viewing both KGF chapters and Kantara, one undoubtedly has higher expectations for, at the very least, a decent film to come from the Kannada cinema industry when it comes to being a PAN-India film. Now getting yet another period action film Kabzaa, is made in Kannada and dubbed in other languages. Kabzaa has all the elements one looks for in the films from down south- the action, the masala, the mafia world, and a love story. But does it bind well into a watchable film? Having had the chance to watch the film beforehand, this is what I feel about it. 

The Premise and Treatment

Arakeshwara, an air force soldier who inevitably enters the underworld under British control in India, eventually rises up to the position of a top-level mafia. Arakeshwara, however, finds himself in turmoil as he must compete with his rivals and Bhargav Bhakshi, a cop assigned by the British to wipe out the mafia and him.

The plot is as obvious and formulaic as it can be, but this time the bloodshed is at a higher level. Heads are literally being chopped off and carried in people's hands. The storyline lacks any cohesion, and everything feels fragmented. The editing is shoddy and rather blunt. In one scene, police officers to protect the protagonist by barring all entrances to the jail, only for the antagonist to fly in on a helicopter. The story is given a romantic subplot without a head or a toe. Madhumathi, a princess from a royal family, continues running into Arka without any protection because she is in love with him. As you attempt to rationalize the narrative, your mind will explode. And to everyone's surprise, there is a possibility of Part 2.

Sasta version of KGF

There are countless instances and sequences throughout the movie, but especially in the second half, that gives you the impression that you are watching KGF, albeit with obviously poorer production quality. Using the same beats and tempo as "Sultaan" from KGF2, the title song Kabzaa seems like a reworked version of that song. Yash aka Rocky Bhai's rise to the top becomes a pointer to show how Arka's character evolves to become a top mafia thus being similar. Hell, he is even replicating Rocky Bhai's speech about "hating violence" by mouthing it in exactly the same manner. However, unlike Rocky Bhai, the antagonist in this story lives in his own world and is not a messiah of the common people.

Arkeshwara's Lala land

When Arkeshwara reaches the top, his life appears to be easy-peasy. Without a gang, he is involved in a battle with all of his rivals, both at home and overseas. No competitor has ever thrown him difficulties, and there hasn't even been a dramatic situation where he can be defeated right. It's all rosy for him, and until the very last moment, there isn't actually anything wrong happening with the hero.

How is this even possible in this world of badder and crazier people? Things are always too convenient in this land and especially for Arkeshwara.

The Performances

To credit, Upendra's portrayal of Arkeshawara is nuanced. He exhibits the ideal emotional transition from seeing his brother's murder to his ascension to power. He has accurate swag and delivers what is expected out of him to the best of his abilities.

There isn't much to note about Shriya Saran's performance as Madhumathi. Her screen presence is as wonderful as it gets in terms of her charm and beauty, but with cringe-worthy dialogues and cliched presentation, her character lacks substance.

Murali Sharma as Veer Bahadur is cunning, sharp, and raw, giving an earnest performance. Kichha Sudeepa's cameo (yes it is a cameo) is paper flat and doesn't makes much of a difference. 

The BGM and Dialogues

Your eardrums would probably be spitting blood by being burst up till you leave the theatre. I'm not sure what substance the movie's BGM (if considered to be a person) is high on, but it is deafening loud. The songs don't really offer anything. The worst part of the second half is the item song 'Main Toh Chali' with demeaning and double-meaning lyrics. The dubbing is poor, and some of the dialogues tends to make you cringe in the same way you might when viewing some old attempts at dubbing a Hollywood film in Hindi language. 

The Verdict

Kabzaa is a poorly made version of KGF in a parallel universe, with loud BGM and a flat storyline and it offers almost nothing - especially not enough to be spending your bucks to go into a theater and watch it

Rating: * 1/2 (1.5/5) stars