Laal Kaptaan Review: Saif Ali Khan shines in this taxing revenge drama

Laal Kaptaan, Saif Ali Khan's much-anticipated film grasped audiences ever since trailer released. t only because it promised a cinematic revolution through its unique genre, but also because for first time Khan was seen in an unusual avatar, donning an elaborate makeup, complete with kohl-lined eyes and a vis smeared with ash (a ritual that he undertakes every time he sets out for a kill). After a year, with expectations of deliverance sky-rocketing, let's find out if actor's revenge drama is worth a watch! 

Director: Navdeep Singh, Zoya Hussain, Sonakshi Sinha, and Manav Vij 
Cast: Saif Ali Khan 
Genre: Drama, Thriller  
Date Released: October 18, 2019
IBFC rating: A
Duration: 2 hours, 20 minutes 

Reviewer Rating: 2/5 

Setting Scene: 

"Duniya Gol Hai, Jo Kal Hua Woh Phir Kal Hoga, ( world is round, what happened yesterday will happen again tomorrow), are one  first few dialogues of thriller that are being narrated to instill a sense of curiousness, but just ends up making viewer feel quite queer. film is set around 25 years after Battle of Buxar and revolves around anarchy country was going through back n. constant battle for India was among three main powerhouses Mughals, Afghans, and Britishers. With everyone fighting for mselves, with little or united front, is a lone warrior, queue to Gosain (Saif Ali Khan)- who is a deadly assassin. one man army strives to avenge his sole enemy, Rehmat Khan (Manav Vij), however, latter does t just have one enemy but several of m. While Gosain (Saif) battles his way to find Rehmat ( Manav), Marathas are too looking for him, as Khan has fled his palace in Bundelkhand and is on his way to Awadh after stealing national treasure. 

READ: Laal Kaptaan: Aamir Khan Reacts And Shares Trailer Of Film

Plot: 

Rehmat Khan, ( Manav Vij) is man of hour. From Gosain ( Saif Ali Khan), Marathas, to orbai ( Sonakshi Sinha) and hard-to-read widow (Zoya Hussain) everybody is on lookout for him. Khan apart from being accompanied by his loyal general ( Amir Bashir), along with his Begum (Simone Singh), a new-born child and a widowed woman is on run from Bundelkhand to Awadh after looting Marathas of ir national treasure, and one by one mysterious adventures begin to unravel after which viewer gets a thorough idea of story behind each and every character, and what binds m all toger. 

Verdict

While Saif Ali Khan's unusual avatar is a serious driving force for audience to watch film this weekend, by end of it audience is just left frustrated. Definitely, it is a unique genre and makers need to be lauded for attempting it, but it is excessively over-dramatic, over-written and over-ambitious. Or than being unbearably long, dialogues too fail to leave an impact, which is key for a historical thriller as such. film is strung wholly on Saif Ali Khan's shoulders and he is probably only person who bears brunt. However, actor has done best with role offered to him, delivering it with utmost honesty and sincerity. Manav Vij as Rehmat Khan is a surprise as he performs role of a cruel, cunning, warlord like a complete natural. Sonakshi Sinha as or Bai leaves you wanting for more, Zoya Hussain as widower is A-class! 

What works: Power-packed performances by actors 

What doesn't work: Unbearably long, overdramatic sequences, disappointing dialogues. 

READ: Laal Kaptaan: Saif Ali Khan Praised By Netizens, Movie t So Much

READ: Laal Kaptaan Trailers: Saif Ali Khan Seems To Be A Deadly Assassin