Veer Movie Review

Veer could be called a magnanimous, gigantic, collossal bore! Rating2.5/5

The story of Veer is set in the year 1857, where Veer(Salman Khan) plays a Pindari warrior who not only aims to win back his tribes lost glory but also their homeland from the claws of the evil king of Madhavgardh played by Jackie Shroff. In the process, Veer falls in love with beautiful Yashodhara who happens to be the deceitful kings daughter. Veer wins it all – glory and land of his tribe, avengesthe death of his tribesmen from the evil king, mows down an entire battalion of the British army, wins the hand of Princess, and emerges successful in lighting the fire of patriotism and revolution in the people of Madhavgardh, the Pindaris and hence the Indians.

Salman Khan has been credited for the story of the film Veer. Unfortunately, Salman’s story has a lot of loopholes, poor characterization, and disappointing treatment above all. The good thing about the story is that it bought to attention the legend of the Pindari Warriors who were wiped off in a campaign led by General Hastings. The sad thing about the story is that justice was not done to a good theme.

Now, leaving all the critical and technical aspects, for the average cinegoer – Veer has very little to offer. Salman as Veer has put in a lot of effort to get the look and feel of the character right. Full marks to him. Although sometimes the Gladiator-cum-Achilles warrior-look and costumes looked rather odd in the Indian context. Sohail Khan is reduced to mere loony side kick who annoys more than anything else. Zarine Khan looks pretty but plastic, I dont see why they chose her over Katrina when she can’t even speak her own dialogues in the film. Much hyped- Lisa Lazarus of UK, is also a forgettable face in the firang crowd of the film.

Some dialogues were too over-the-top, the regular jingoistic fare of Anil Sharma movies (Gadar, Here etc.), but public cheered to it in the cinema hall… surprisingly. Some action sequences also won applause like when Salman breaks a sword with one hand as if it was a cookie! On the love story remains another obscure domain of the film – visible but unclear!

So… Even if you consider this as a ‘epic love story of a warrior’ and not a ‘historical docu-drama’, I’d still say ‘Disappointing’. (Wish there was somebody to pay me to say this )

My Verdict: Strictly for Salman Khan fans! Others can avoid!