Tigmanshu Dhulia made a mark in the small Indie dominate genre of action-thriller-dramas with films like Paan Singh Tomar, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster and its sequel. So when he manages to rope in a somewhat reputed star like Saif Ali Khan, you expect Dhulia to continue his golden streak. Also, it is clear that Saif Ali Khan by collaborating with Dhulia is looking for an image makeover. So does the planned tie-up go as well as it was expected to? Let’s dissect.
Story: The story in the first half of Bullett Raja is centered around two friends tied at the hip – Raja Mishra (Saif Ali Khan) and Rudra. Their friendship and bond goes back a long way and they engage in unlawful and (sometimes) lawful activities together. An influential politician (Raj Babbar) catches hold of them to use them as, basically, his henchmen. The story takes a twist when Rudra is eliminated by a rival gang and Raja goes in search of revenge. And as is the norm with Dhulia’s films, twist after twist is thrown at us to increase the drama. Amidst all this, Raja falls in love with a Bengali girl Mitali (Sonakshi Sinha) and manages to find time dancing around in the streets of Kolkata.
Bullett Raja Movie Review
Screenplay and Direction: Dhulia, as is often the case with recognized small time directors messing it up when given bigger budgets to work with, doesn’t know what to do with a bigger scale and a bigger budget than he is used to. The plot twists he employs in Bullett Raja doesn’t hold your attention for too long and by the end of it, they are a bit too predictable. What works though, are his kickass dialogues which increase the tension and the drama in the film.
The technical aspects of Bullett Raja is what catches the eye. The production design by Dhananjay Mondal is top class. Unlike Dhulia, Mondal has managed to do well with the increased budget. The action set-pieces are neatly choreographed and that’s where the problem occurs. These scenes should have had an air of spontaneity about them. The music is nothing to write home about. None of the songs except Tamanche Pe Disco, stay withyou. The background score lends a heavy note to the film and this is one part of the sound design that actually works.
Acting: Bullett Raja is supposed to be all about Saif Ali Khan. And not to discredit that claim, yes, the film is his story but dejectedly Saif doesn’t bring his roguish Langda Tyagi element to this film with confidence. He does carry a North Indian accent in the film but that goes on and off. It would be unfair to say he is overshadowed by Jimmy Shergill, but Jimmy gives him able company throughout his screen stay. Sonakshi Sinha plays the same character she has played in 90% of her films and it has become a drag to see her play the same role day in and day out. Vidyut Jamwal manages to liven up activities with his action and steals most of the scenes he appears in. Ravi Kishen is lamely cast but Raj Babbar does well.
Conclusion and Box Office: Bullett Raja could have been so much more. Owing to the name of the director attached with the film, it wouldn’t have been unfair on our part to have expected it to deliver all guns (and bullets of course) blazing. But Alas! Bullett Raja ends up as just another logicless action masala film with a hero who is looking to ape Chulbul Pandey. If you have a lot of free time in your hands, and lot of hair in your head to pluck out, please go watch Bullett Raja. Box Office wise, Bullett Raja is expected to open just about average at best. I will be hugely surprised if it creates any box office records. Very disappointing from a collaboration which sounded so very fresh when it was first announced.
Positives:
- Jimmy and Vidyut’s acting
- Action is high adrenaline
- Production Design
Negatives:
- Saif Ali Khan and Sonakshi Sinha’s acting and their pairing
- Shoddy screenplay and lack of intense drama
- Music
- Dhulia’s lack of deftness in handling a big budget flick
Rating: 
