Writer/Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya
Starring: Aamir Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Katrina Kaif
‘A Mediocre Remake’
Few actors in Bollywood are as celebrated today as Aamir Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Khan has proven to be one of the greatest actors in Bollywood. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, terrorists in danger or professional wrestlers, Khan has suggested he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his bravery. Khan has never been afraid to take risks in his career through tackling subjects that prove controversial. Through abilities to play characters which are compelling, Khan has established a legacy which has proven to be compelling. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Khan has never lost his strong passion for producing iconic entertainment. An iconic legend in India, Khan has become a celebrated legend in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout a groundbreaking career, Khan has created several strong movies that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies he has made in his career. However, “Thugs of Hindostan” stands out as being his worst movie. Released back in 2018, Vijay Krishna Acharya’s movie offered a poor remake of Pirates of the Caribbean. Packed with poor production, bad storytelling and lacklustre characters, it’s a problematic film. Although “Thugs of Hindostan” is a flawed movie, it is not a total disaster. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Aamir Khan, who portrays a pirate. Ultimately, for all its flaws “Thugs of Hindostan” offers entertainment which would absolutely satisfy fans of Aamir Khan.
“Thugs of Hindostan” tells a story about a pirate gang that rules Hindustan. Amitabh Bachchan portrays Khudabaksh Azaad, an elderly pirate that forms a massive gang of comrades. Azaad has always shared strong bonds with the gang of pirates. However, his dreams are shattered when his pirate team is attacked by the British empire. Assisted by mischievous thug Firangi (Aamir Khan), Azaad seeks to conquer the British empire once and for all. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Azaad wonders whether it is possible for his gang of pirates to truly survive disaster.
Vijay Krishna Acharya is fascinated with the action genre. A fantastic Indian filmmaker, Acharya has often made engaging movies about heroes whose lives are in danger. His iconic movie “Tashan” offered an engaging portrait of gangsters that face tension. With “Thugs of Hindostan”, however, the director made his first pirates film. It was Acharya’s first attempt to capture the hardship faced by pirates in Indian history but he pulled it off effectively. Using bold cinematography, Acharya captures a pirate embarking upon a perilous journey. Evoking Gore Verbinski’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: the Curse of the Black Pearl”, Acharya uses handheld visuals to capture the hardships pirates are facing. For instance, handheld visuals elevate the pirates gangs scene. During this engaging scene, Firangi has an intense confrontation with pirates gangs. Handheld camerawork is a complex technique to use in movies. As Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Lagaan” suggested, handheld camera elevates Bollywood films about cricket. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Acharya captures the tensions that Indian pirates are facing.
Despite stunning visuals, it’s a shame that “Thugs of Hindostan” finds little time to tell a compelling story. The film is poorly written, and lacks a strong story capturing pirates in history. Acharya’s choices to focus solely on the visuals leaves little room for substantial character development. Unlike the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies which showcased strong pirate characters, the characters in the film lack compelling development. For instance, Firangi is a cartoonish pirate that lacks strong motivations behind his actions. Pirates movies thrive based on their strong character development, and in this regard “Thugs of Hindostan” can’t quite live up to expectations. Storytelling is definitely one of the weakest aspects of the movie that could have been improved.
Thankfully, however, the strong cast saves the film from being a disaster. Each actor is perfectly cast and tries their best to inject a sense of energy into the film.
Aamir Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Firangi. Khan first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in celebrated Bollywood movies. With “Thugs of Hindostan””, however, he took upon his most comedic role. It isn’t easy to portray a pirate that faces adversity but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most compelling role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief of a pirate facing tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Aamir Khan, the supporting cast is superb and worthy of praise. Amitabh Bachchan is brilliant, capturing dedication of a pirate on a mission to save his nation. Katrina Kaif is captivating, bringing charisma to a woman that falls in love with a pirate experiencing a dilemma. Finally, Fatima Sana Sheikh merits appreciation. As a female pirate, she brings tension to the movie.
Ultimately, though, powerful acting cannot quite make up for a film that lacks a strong ending. Acharya keeps the movie moving at an engaging pace in the first hour. However, once it enters its final act, the film loses its momentum and tests viewers’ patience. To make matters worse, the ending lacks any real staying power. It’s a predictable ending that lacks any strong resolution. Therefore, “Thugs of Hindostan” is one of those Indian movies that everyone won’t be guaranteed to adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Aamir Khan will enjoy “Thugs of Hindostan” and so would movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A powerful Bollywood pirate drama, it honours an actor with charisma in India.
Nearly a decade following the release of a Bollywood movie about a pirate embarking on a journey of fate, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary Indian actor that has never lost his abilities to captivate making iconic films throughout his career that audiences appreciate.
3/5 stars
The Film Buff 