Shootout at Wadala Review

 

Sanjay Gupta’s Shootout at Wadala (SAW) can be best summed as a slightly over dramatic but stylish version of the rise and fall of a don which offers total value in terms of entertainment. Set in the late seventies and early eighties this movie is an unapologetic gangster flick that draws audiences into the era. Based on a real life incident, outmost care has been taken to avoid similarities between the real life incident as well as the journalistic account of Hussain Zaidi “Dongri to Dubai”. 

 

 The movie unfolds with a badly wounded Manya Surve (John Abraham) speaking about his life to Anil Kapoor (ACP Ishaque Bagwan) who acts as a moderator who intervenes between songs and sequences of the movie. This is in stark contrast to the real turn of events. Manya Surve a dreaded gangster of the eighties is stylishly portrayed as a don but care has been taken to render a humane side to the character. 

 

 Performances in the film standout John Abraham rendering creative license has both physically and emotionally sunk into his character to bring out the best. Probably this could be the turnaround performance of his career. Tusshar Kapoor too has made the most of his character and rendered a performance that will certainly be remembered for some time to come. On the other hand Dilwar (Sonu Sood) and Zubair (Manoj Bajpayee) too deliver performances that suit their characters in the best interest of the film. While Anil Kapoor and Ronit Roy leading the police ranks ably complete the ensemble. 

 

But despite all this the film does have its loopholes. The jarry item songs do offer entertainment but do not seem to please in terms of choreography or melody. The intimacy between the lead actors seem to be added to offer a sex quotient to the film. In parts of the second half there are instances of gimmicking which certainly does not fit into a potboiler like this. 

 

 Overall SAW is a good masala film that offers complete value for money and a sure shot cinematic experience.