Wanted - Movie Review

Cast: Salman Khan, Ayesha Takia, Prakash Raj, Mahesh Manjrekar, Vinod Khanna, Inder Kumar, Mahek Chahal, Govind Namdeo

Director: Prabhu Deva

Producer: Boney Kapoor

Music: Sajid-Wajid

Rating: **1/2
 
Wanted is no great cinema. In fact, it could be ignored when we talk about new age films. The film just takes you back to the 90s – when Salman Khan was a huge star. He still is, but the magic seems to be fading when it comes to delivering hits. And probably the star saw this film as a chance to take him back to the heights of glory, like in earlier days, considering this falls into the same category that made him big – loud, brash and beyond logic.
 
However, what I like about the film is the fact that there is no pretence on the part of the makers as well. In a recent chat that I had with the director, Prabhudheva, he mentioned that he is not looking at winning any awards for the film. He knows there might be plenty of flaws but the attempt is to entertain. And entertaining it is, at least the second half, while the first half is passable.
 
Wanted is an action packed film with some loud comedy. There are scenes that you will clap at and there are some which might turn you off. However, it is a classic case of error in continuity when it comes to looks. Salman Khan sports a different look in every scene which is not acceptable for any sane thinking person. If there has been so much effort in making a film, it only makes sense to take care of all these aspects. There are also problems with characters; some are taken for granted for the convenience of the story. Wonder why there needs to be a sexy sultry babe in every don’s gang who is always happy to entertain the boss and also takes the gun when needed. Mahek Chahal displays oomph but is really not required in the film. So are so many other characters and scenes.
 
Technically, Wanted has been edited pretty stylishly and shot elaborately. The film takes you to some exotic locales for the songs, which don’t fit into the film. The dialogues don’t fit in many a time, including Salman’s famous ‘Ek baar main commitment de doon…’. Music – both playback and background is loud but watching Salman dance is real fun, especially when he makes his gestures. 

Wanted promises action and it shows action. Action directors figure out newer stunts – read ways of bashing up the goons. Funnily, Salman never gets a single punch in the movie, leave alone getting shot.   
 
For all Salman Khan fans, Wanted is a must watch. He delivers on all counts be it action, comedy or drama. And this he does after a series of bad performances. Ayesha Takia does well in a limited role. Prakash Raj shows why he is a National Award winner as he plays a comic and deadly don. Mahesh Manjrekar is superb as a nasty and corrupt cop. Vinod Khanna gets a raw deal.
 
The story of Wanted has its twist towards the end but that again is no secret considering it is a remake of a film already made twice. While on one hand you may have films like Departed on undercover cops and dons, on the other hand you have Wanted. The former delves into proving that all spies are human too and are scared for their lives, the latter glorifies the heroics turning a person to a larger-than-life demi-god who just can’t be hit by a bullet. It’s your decision to select which one you would like to watch. As for grading on our part, Wanted is a complete ‘mass’ entertainer which should appeal hugely to the smaller centres and out and out Salman fans.
 
PS: Wanted is also historic. Catch Govinda and Prabhudheva shake a leg together along with Salman!