“Gadar 2” Movie Review: “Blast from the Past. Sunny Deol and Action makes the film”

Gadar 2 takes us back to the era of Sunny Deol’s fierce snarl and his iconic ‘dhai-kilo-ka-haath’. It’s a blast from the past as he dominates the screen, just like in the original Gadar where he rescued his ‘dulhaniya’ from the clutches of her villainous Pakistani father, played memorably by the legendary Amrish Puri, who was known for his menacing expressions.

This sequal follows the same pattern as its predecessor, with Tara Singh’s patriotism at the forefront as he heads to Pakistan once again, this time to save his son (Utkarsh Sharma) from the grip of the ruthless Major General Hamid Iqbal (Manish Wadhwa). But the question remains: does this version bring something new to the table?

Set against the backdrop of 1971, with war on the horizon, Tara and Sakeena (Ameesha Patel) lead a simple life. Their son Charanjeet, seeking purpose, jumps into action when his father vanishes after a border skirmish. This triggers a series of intense events featuring gunshots, stern soldiers, and relentless Pakistani chasers. The movie unfolds through dynamic scenes that showcase the bravery of the father-son duo.

Amidst the chaos, Ameesha Patel’s tearful moments add emotion, and young Jeete finds love with a Pakistani girl named Muskaan (Simrat Kaur). Songs and dances come and go, leaving a fleeting impact.

Even 21 years ago, ‘Gadar’ was criticized for its melodrama and excessive patriotism, characteristic of director Anil Sharma’s style. Although the film was an astounding hit. Sadly, this version echoes those criticisms, reminding us of the loudness, excessive sentimentality, and exaggerated dialogues that modern Bollywood is trying to move away from. The story itself can be termed as outdated by this point. But who knows, maybe this film will work if people watch it with the mindset of having a nostalgic experience. In fact this film makes numerous references to the original Gadar!

Regardless, amid the familiarity, ‘Gadar 2’ shines in its action sequences. The film’s action has evolved over time. Sunny Deol now takes on 20 opponents with a single punch, showcasing his might. Utkarsh Sharma adds modernity with parkour and stunts similar to Vidyut Jammwal’s style. The action not only looks impressive but also grabs genuine applause, keeping viewers engaged.

Everyone has given decent performances, with Sunny Deol standing tall. Utkarsh Sharma is still fresh and will definitely improve with more experience. Ameesha Patel doesn’t have much to showcase in terms of acting. From a technical standpoint this film works. Skillful camerawork adds to the overall impact, making the movie more captivating. The background score gets the job done.

Overall if you are a Sunny Deol fan and miss seeing him on screen, and want some nostalgic flavor, this is the perfect opportunity. If you are expecting something original and pathbreaking then this is not for you.

3 out of 5 stars.