director: Rakesh Roshan
Cast: Hrithik Roshan,
Priyanka Chopra, Naseeruddin
Shah, Rekha
Rating: JJJ
Krammed!
By Shradha Sukumaran
shradhas@mid-day.com
INDIA'S big superhero has landed, but unlike his completely loveable father Rohit in the prequel Koi Mil Gaya, Krrish is lacking. Before you jump to conclusions, it isn't Krrish the character we're talking about. Thanks to a phenomenal act put in by Hrithik Roshan, Krrish is quick, athletic, superhuman and brilliant to boot. But Krrish the film is the hero who emerges with feet of clay — after the dust settles, you have to admit that director Rakesh Roshan could have made a slicker sequel and superhero film if he had put in much more of Hrithik's marvelous, breathtaking action (Tony Ching) and less scrambled story.
Krrish is orphaned and living in seclusion with an overprotective grandmother Sonia Mehra (Rekha), so his special gifts are hidden. From Rohit and Jadoo, Krrish inherits an animal-like speed, instinct and skill, but it's only recognised when he swoops and saves camper Priya (Priyanka) from a failed parachute jump. Krrish falls hard for this news reporter from Singapore and when her job back home is in jeopardy, Priya uses his love to further her career. Before you can say Lois Lane, Krrish packs his bags for Singapore, but not before his grandmother makes him promise never to reveal his secret identity to lurking villains like the power-crazed scientist Dr Siddhant Arya (Naseer in a ham-sham of a role). The story veers around several convoluted and implausible twists, but luckily, Krrish is there to save the day.
Roshan is unstintingly focused on building Krrish's image and it shows. But other areas fumble. The first half before Krrish leaves home weighs heavy on the audience, despite the passable songs. The comedy falls flat and Priyanka's (looking terrific) acting is mostly jerky and annoying. Besides, branded products are tackily pushed in your face and Rekha's sonorous monologues plod you through the story. And you have to wonder why she goes on washing clothes, dishes, cooking dinner and picking baskets of cauliflower, when all her superhuman grandson does is throw some plates into place!
Leg two of Krrish is thankfully quicker and he comes into his own during a circus mishap. The heroics and stunts are fantastically executed by both Roshans and you can see kids lapping it up. Only Hrithik could have pulled off this larger-than-life role with his persona. The star acts beautifully, but your applause is all for his daring stunts. Yet the film is still mixed up in the love story and tiring theatrics by Dr Arya (who often 'breaks' into Akashwani mode). Visually also, Krrish doesn't match up to the spectacle of Koi…Mil Gaya, that had far superior SFX.
We all love diving into the unreal, but this film doesn't tie it all up neatly. Though you're with Krrish for the ride, you're left with the feeling of wanting more.
ratings JJJJJExcellent, JJJJVery Good, JJJGood, JJAverage, JPoor
