By Vishnu Mahesh Sharma
Father and son meet, somewhere in Pakistan
Mother feels the breeze, happily in Hindustan.
Innocent Indian fugitive, finds some “dana-pani”
In the house of a gold, hearted Pakistani.
The fugitive addresses Pakistani, as his “Masi”
The old school Hindi filming, at its very massy.
A helpless Sikh father, prays at a “majar”
The next moment we hear, “ekbetekipukaar”.
A man is forced to choose, the life or the scripture
This is echoed well, in a grand climactic fixture.
The first half really tries, to infuse emotional heft
I am happy to report, it’s a successful attempt.
The drama never matches, its towering predecessor
But as a standalone, it is a worthy successor.
Tighter could have been screenplay, at some places
The action never matches, rousing dramatic clashes.
Writer-director duo’s, conviction is unflinching
So is unrelenting the star’s charismatic acting.
Music is as old school, as old school is drama
A “ghazal” is used as, ‘pehalepyaarkanagma’.
Recall the song “Ae watan mere watan” from film Raazi
Same sentiment is delivered but through a “dialoguebaazi”.
Meghana was sure with,Raazi’s subtle affair
About this rousing drama, Sharma is well aware.
Well-written scenes, flawless dialogue delivery
Jarring action sequences, that is really a pity.
Legacy of the original, never taken for granted
Though the craft here, not that so well rounded.
Decent are 3 hours, of patriotism, family and jazbaat
Uncompromised masala outing, “Hindustan Zindabaad”.