Himmatwala

wogma rating: Switch channels if it's on cable (?)

quick review:

Worse than what you'd expect - loud, garish, melodramatic, inane, regressive in terms of film-making, extremely boring.

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Director: Sajid Khan
Running time: 150 minutes
Genres: Comedy, Family
More Movie Info

Himmatwala - Preview

Himmatwala proudly announces, "The 80s are back!" Uhhh...why is that a good thing? I mean, sure if it made me into a child again, it'd have been different. What it really means is the movies from the 80s are back - a sore reminder of my early experiences of cinema. Thank goodness for some films from the 70s. Many are amused now, when they see films from the 80s, those from my generation are nostalgic. But, even as a child I didn't like most of them, so a remake of anything called Himmatwala, Justice Choudhury, Tohfa just gives me shudders.

I know, I know not all the Hindi films from the 80s were that bad, but Himmatwala isn't from that category. And if its marketing USP is that it is a Sajid Khan "entertainer" even less so.

To top it off, you have Ajay Devgn point out in the film, that it is the 80s. Right, it's supposed to be funny. But, how? Why would one say retro thing about current times. The film is set in the 80s, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, don't go about using your brain, you say. I'll try is all I say.

To make it worse, very little attempt is made to create originial music. If there is anything worse than this sort of films from the 80s, it is music from this sort of films. And I'm glad at least some of the music reviews didn't think the music was 'great'.

Music Reviews:
Bollyspice - "3/5"
Bollywood Hungama - "right from the original tracks to the new compositions, there is a spunk that one evidences in this album which lasts close to 20 minutes"
IBN Live - "4/5"
koimoi - "3.5/5"
Milliblog - "Bappi Lahiri and Sachin-Jigar rule over Sajid-Wajid, the actual composers, in this Himmatwala-redux!"
Music Aloud - "6/10"
in.com - "2.5/5"
glamsham - 3.5/5

- meeta, a part of the audience

Where does one begin with a film like Himmatwala? You know its going to range from garish to extremely over-the-top, it being a Sajid Khan "entertainer". With the "the 80s are back" announcement, you knew you had to leave your brain behind. Yet, somehow Himmatwala makes it worse than what you are ready for - from the righteous brave-heart to the idealistic mother to the caricaturish villain to the supposedly village setting to the lousy one-liners, there isn't one moment that can hook you in.

To start off, in its attempt to not copy the 1983 film, the 2013 version brings in a few minor changes and a 'twist' which make the proceedings even more lame. Then you have Ravi (Ajay Devgn) cracking the poorest of poor jokes. Making him admit the awfulness in the very next line, only makes it worse (and when we thought it wasn't possible.)

Similarly, Paresh Rawal breaking the fourth wall asking us to come towards him and go away from him with a zooming in and out camera isn't funny to begin with. It gets even more tiresome when its repeated over and over, predictably.

When you are so clearly reminded that you are watching a film, you cannot be expected to get remotely involved in the characters or the situations. So involved are Sajid Khan and company in not taking themselves seriously, that the villain doesn't scare and the hero doesn't inspire or invoke allegiance. All the supposedly powerful and/or emotional scenes seem lame because you aren't engaged in the story.

Interestingly, Ravi's sister (Leena Jumani) gets a scene where she uncharacteristically takes charge of her life and it could imply a superficial hint at woman empowerment. But her action ultimately implies submission to what others in her life decide for her. Even if you'd like to give Himmatwala a benefit of doubt in that the social norms of the 80s apply, you realize you are being asked to believe that any of this is realistic.

Having said that, Leena Jumani is an actor who sticks out because of how quietly she plays her bit. In contrast you have this gang of very capable actors competing to look more idiotic than the next. You cannot blame Paresh Rawal, Mahesh Manjrekar or even Ajay Devgn for not making you laugh. Their timing seems to be perfect for what they've been asked to do. But, what they've been asked to do is so ridiculously not funny that you don't know what to feel for them. I would like to think that my 10-year old is too old for such juvenile non-humor.

You know you have stooped to a new low when you find relief when the songs from the 80s start playing. Relief in nostalgia from 'nayano mein sapna' and ' taaki o taaki' - yep, certainly a low! I'd like to shift the blame to having to sit through 'thank God it's Friday' and 'bum pe laat' in comparison.

I do questions myself, "Why do I even bother with such films?" "Hope and curiosity", besides the fact that I have taken it up as a job. I hope that there will be something, at least one scene, that's worth half-a-watch and I don't want to keep wondering what that'll be. However, feeble my reward be, Sajid Khan's Himmatwala has this curiously shot hypothetical situation in which he, for reason unknown, chooses to refer to Psycho. Not that I liked it or the way it was done, but it was very atypical of Sajid Khan. And that is enough for me, even if not good enough to recommend you watch it even if you have nothing better to do (unless your hope and curiosity are compelling).

Himmatwala truly has nothing that even people reminiscing the 80s would enjoy. If someone really wants nostalgia, they'd go back to K Raghavendra Rao's Himmatwala, right? Why do you need a Sajid Khan for that?

- meeta, a part of the audience

38 reviewers(?) - 0 yays 8 so-so 30 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

So-So, by Bodrul Chaudhury, Bolly Spice : ...Ajay Devgn provides a convincing and respectable performance as the male protagonist and was therefore the perfect choice to headline this film. ... full review

So-So, by Swati Deogire, In.com : ...It may not be the kind of film you enjoy, but 'Himmatwala' is an entertainer nevertheless. Muster all the courage you have and book a ticket.... full review

So-So, by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes : ...The screenplay is embellished with Sajid Khan brand of PJs that range from the silly to some occassionally side-splitting ones also... full review

So-So, by Joginder Tuteja, Indicine : ...This is where Sajid Khan brings in certain elements as well which do aim at bettering the original. One such element is the tiger track which is indeed woven well in the film. ... full review

So-So, by Janhavi Samant, MiD DAY : ...Ajay Devgn’s in top alpha-male action-comedy form. Tamannaah looks fresh and pretty. Paresh Rawal’s Kader Khan take-off absolutely rocks. ... full review

So-So, by Jaidev Hemmady, Movie Talkies : ...could have been far better as far as the entertainment quotient is concerned... full review

So-So, by Roshmila Bhattacharya, Star Blockbuster : ...The film is a mindless ménage of all that was wrong with mainstream Hindi cinema in the ‘80s… Exaggerated drama ... full review

So-So, by Madhureeta Mukherjee, Times of India : ... In her Bollywood debut, Tamannah makes a decent impression. She's superhot (her midriff demands a separate acting credit) and shows conviction, but later gets lost in transgression.... full review

Thumbs down, by Nikhil Kumar, Apun Ka Choice : ...Ajay Devgn plays to the gallery. He mouths loud dialogues, dons ridiculously garish clothes, hobbles his way through the dances, fights a tiger and does unbelievable stunts.... full review

Thumbs down, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...For added measure, he throws in an attempted rape, as if to remind us that, in those days, this was one of the reasons the hero had a sister. And then he spoofs the shower scene in Psycho, right down to the matching dissolve between the bathtub drain and the victim’s eye.... full review

Thumbs down, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...It will raise a big question on the intellect of 21st century's Indian viewers & their choice of entertainment if this becomes another notable Hit of 2013.... full review

Thumbs down, by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama : ...Sajid makes an attempt to pay homage to the cinema of yore, but what he delivers makes you sit motionless for most parts. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Dhiren Trivedi, Bollywood Life : ...we want our refund for enduring this abysmal ‘effort’... full review

Thumbs down, by Deepa Gahlot, cinemaah : ...If it’s possible to tarnish dross, Sajid Khan has done it.... full review

Thumbs down, by Mayank Shekhar, Daily Bhaskar : ...“It’s a Sajid Khan entertainer.” To be fair to the director, even he doesn’t call it a film. It certainly isn’t.... full review

Thumbs down, by Khalid Mohamed, Deccan Chronicle : ... Without a doubt, all his gleeful interviews against the critics, will be far more entertaining than this ho-hum hokum pokum.... full review

Thumbs down, by Smita, Desi Martini : ...The music is pretty decent. Of cuorse, naino mein sapna and taki re taki are well known, but even the new disco song is pretty good.... full review

Thumbs down, by Tushar Joshi, DNA : ...Khan has a dry sense of humour and that comes across not just while talking to him, but also while watching his films.... full review

Thumbs down, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...Himmatwala is well-made, well-choreographed and heck even the actors have performed with conviction. But the writing of this movie (if there was any) makes no sense.... full review

Thumbs down, by Ravina Rawal, FirstPost : ...It’s a lot for a guy to do, even with 2013’s special effects, so I left him to it while I took a power nap. When I woke up, I noticed that Devgn’s fingernails are too long for a man. ... full review

Thumbs down, Free Press Journal : ...So it’s mainly the performances and the brief parlays into rabid humour that keeps this ‘Himmatwala’ going.... full review

Thumbs down, by Kritika Deval, fullhyd.com : ...Ajay's fists, and his fake growl, which he insists on speaking in throughout, pretty much take over the rest of the film.... full review

Thumbs down, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...You cozy yourself in the chair, expecting to be entertained. And that is exactly what Sajid does and manages to maintain the momentum throughout the first half. But what really brings all his hard work apart is his eagerness to throw more twists and turns into the already well-twisted plot. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Anupama Chopra, Hindustan Times : ...Himmatwala is a reminder of why the ’80s are considered the worst decade in Hindi cinema.... full review

Thumbs down, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...The movie opens with a disco song featuring Sonakshi Sinha that goes: "Thank God, it's Friday!" Not this Friday, believe me.... full review

Thumbs down, by Fatema H Kagalwala, India Entertainment : ...Himmatwala is good for that random mood for a stray laugh and silly spoof (one Psycho spoof is actually tops) but there is no nostalgia, tribute or sense behind all the noise that it makes.... full review

Thumbs down, by Vinayak Chakravorty, india today : ... As expected, Ajay goes great guns with the action (though the highlight fight with the tiger could look straight out of Cartoon Network). He is in form with the high-voltage dialogue baazi, too.... full review

Thumbs down, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...When I was not cringing, I was dozing.... full review

Thumbs down, by Mohar Basu, koimoi : ...What’s Good: The film is exactly as good as its 1983 version What’s Bad: Un-hilarious stupidity and the tediously long narrative leaves you gasping Loo break: Just stay in the loo. Don’t bother coming back!... full review

Thumbs down, by Nandini Ramnath, Live Mint : ...Undiscriminating children might enjoy the slow-motion action sequences and the rhyming, pun-laden humour (the principal dialogue is by Farhad-Sajid), while equally undiscriminating adults might spare a few tee-hees for the antics of the reliably hammy actors Manjrekar and Rawal.... full review

Thumbs down, by Divya Solgama, MoviezADDA : ...Dum hain only in terms of little bit entertaining scenes, at rest all places its like 'Bum Pe Laat'.... full review

Thumbs down, by Karan Anshuman, Mumbai Mirror : ...Paresh Rawal puts in way too much effort for this film playing second fiddle to Mahesh Manjrekar as does his wig and moustache. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...If nothing else, what Himmatwala certainly has a profusion of is a complete disregard for logic and narrative finesse. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Mansha Rastogi, Now Running.com : ...Mahesh Manjrekar tries too hard to show some menacing elements of being the bad guy but sadly, he too falls for the tawdry writing of the filmmaker. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Sukanya Verma, Rediff : ...The idea here, I think, is not an upgrade but to go back in time and relive those foolish sensibilities so many filmmakers have painstakingly tried to erase with the hope of promoting entertaining, progressive films... full review

Thumbs down, by Swati Rohatgi, STARDUST : ...Ajay Devgn struggles to slip into the dancing shoes of Jeetendra and also falters in matching up the brilliance of Jeetendra. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Mr Care, Upper Stall : ...There are stray moments of humor - the ridiculous spoofs of Psycho and Ashok Kumar's rail gadi song work.... full review

Thumbs down, by Gayatri Sankar, Zee News : ...Nonetheless, performances of certain characters make the film bearable. Paresh Rawal as Narayan Das is outstanding. He literally reminds you of comic legend Kader Khan and his witty dialogues, something that has been missing in films these days. ... full review

105 tweeters(?) - 10 yays 14 so-so 81 nays

shivwalk: The Psycho shower spoof in Himmatwala is to die for. BEST MOVIE of the year.

sachin7980: Watched Himmatwala....awasome movie...again comdey timepass flik from Ajay and Sajid...

nishantgautam14: It #himmatwala is most entertaining,never felt bored any time

maisielinford: I don't know why #himmatwala has had such bad reviews. Everyone in my audience was laughing and I thought it was amazing!

deepaksdhaka: Himmatwala Film is so Good. Please must seen it. Sajid Sir you are always best. Thanks for giving this movie.

brightkknight: Just watched Himmatwala.. Spectacular. Beyond Awesome. Must watch.

Arunkumarshaw1: Awsme movie HIMMATWALA....so Sexyy TAMANNA is what a leg

ankushrraj: frnds all dese reviews abt himmatwala are just rubbish..movie is a good entertainer..actions are good ...comic timing of paresh sir is awsm

Ankursi007: HimAtwaLa! \m/ Awessssum! Movie! Ek dum paisea wasul :D \m/

abdul_razzak_: Entertainment is what the film offered and loved #Himmatwala very much. Ajay and all the stars did superb job.

vik72667591: himmatwala is better movie than so called high class showoff movies like cocktail...atleast hero is nt flirting two gals in same

sudeepsubhash: Himmatwala can only work for you if you are tipsy

sonof007: #critics gives 4* to horrible movie #jabtakhaijaan nd 1* star to atleast one time watch movie #himmatwala. Are u guys really knw ur jobs ?

SalluLicious: I watched @ajaydevgn's Himmatwala and I Really find it much better than Sajid's Heybaby& HF! No cheapness, Clean movie & enjoyed Ajayz Role☺

rahulja23107514: Himmatwala......movie was not be gud but ajay is always best nd 2nd half is better then 1st.....!!!!

prakash1421: word of mouth kept #Himmatwala off the lights. but movie is not bad as peoples tweeting. another smart act by ajay. tamanna is mind blowing.

munjaalshah: No u don't need "Himmat" to watch #Himmatwala what u really need is a bad sense of humour.Not so bad like the reviews say,full on masala.

khadija58: Just watched himmatwala it wasn't as funny as expected quite ok but not that bad good movie just for action

JonaSallu: Saw Himmatwala. It might not be @ajaydevgn's best movie,but it's not his worse either. Everybody needs to stop overacting on how bad it was.

jigardoshi20991: donno how good or bad was the original, but this was fine. few comic sequences and few real hilarious dialogues make #himmatwala watchable.

JawaadArif: Himmatwala was a decent movie #detailedinsight

iSankalpMantri: Kept brain aside..Watched #Himmatwala..Not too bad not too good !!!

ektu_02: Himmatwala watchable movie..full on drama,action, entertainment,tragedy.... #timepass.

Being_Dhavi: #himmatwala watch it for @ajaydevgn and tammna only.

yo_breezyxo: kuta toh kutte ko he janam daata hai- #himmatwala #DumbMovieEver

yaseengani786: Tamil & telegu film heroes get 100 times better,classier,mindblowing intro scenes than #himmatwala Ajay entry scene as claimed by Sajid khan

YagneshJV: cant believe how sajid khan managed to screw #himmatwala :/

weJADHAV: Congrats to Ajay Devgan for holding record of 2 biggest n most famous flop films RGV Ki Aag n #Himmatwala I m sure no actor will break it.

Vinayakgaikwad: I don't understand, Why on Earth does Sajid Khan make movies? What does he think? Is every film is Comic one? He has killed #Himmatwala...

vinay1524: Himmatwala has hit hard to those who has watched it.:(.@Jayashripradhan: Is Himmatwala a hit or a flop?

vic_varma: Himmatwala sucks, please save your precious time and money

UMANGLOVESLIFE: sAJID KHAN ..the most stupid director of the decade ...all thanks to HImmatwala....

thesachinb: My enemies if you are reading this tweet then you hv won ur self tickets for #himmatwala , DM to claim the reward !!!

TheJohnnyDepth: Bhai remake hi banani thi to remake banate spoof kyon bana di. Ghatiya direction by Sajid Khan.. #Himmatwala

TheChiragJain: Sajid khan: 10mins into #Himmatwala & aapka 'paisa vasool', took a crocin at the 11th minute. Head aches gone. Crocin ka paisa vasool!

TechMoody: Kal Himmatwala k piche 200 rs barbad karne se aacha 50 rs ki panipuri kha lena n 150 rs usko tip de dena woh bhi... http://www.facebook.com/BeingAmrik/posts/128221354031817

Tanumoyd: Now i jst want 2 see d face of dat Mr. Over-Confident Sajid Khan. Ur #Himmatwala is nw a #Hasmatsala :P

swap002: Not underestimating Marathi movies but even they will chew and throw "Himmatwala".

sudhakar_mane: Watched himmatwala movie..!! But disappointed..

simonsaybrams: HIMMATWALA review filed. Man, that movie stunk.

shubhroCFC: Himmatwala sucks! Thats it,it fucking sucks!

shail511: There is no himmat left in me after seeing himmatwala☹

sauravmba08: #Himmatwala broke the record of @kamaalrkhan's Deshdrohi for most chutiya movie of all time!

sanjushams: Sajid Khan on a spcl diet,eating his words 3 times a day for months to come. At other times,to hv his foot firrmly in his mouth #Himmatwala

RusticBong: Reply to @KiaaraSandhu Himmatwala is pathetic...worst movie of all time....

Robin_aries: #Himmatwala such a pain movie... But I had the Himmat to watch the full movie. Great actors nonsense script.

Rkkaser: The worst movie i had ever seen in my entire life #Himmatwala directed by #sajidkhan superflop movie all the audiance was slept in hall

rjanup: Bioscope Himmatwala - 1.5/5 Mirchis - Rj Anup @ Radio Mirchi UAE https://soundcloud.com/rj-anup/bioscope-himmatwala-1-5-5

rishisingh19: #Himmatwala finally gave competition to #RGV KI AAG... Mass torturer of all time

reachtirath: #himmatwala, one really needs lots of himmat to sit for this movie.

rdnimavat7: Himmatwala vohi . . . . Jo puri himmatwala dekh le :D

ranjeet99: What a load of rubbish #Himmatwala

randheerB: #SajidKhan';s #Himmatwala is so outdated n so predictable that it starts taking your patience test..@ajaydevgn's worst till date..1.5/5

RamuKakaOnline: Beedu, film dekhi, aur uss ke baad do din tak apun coma mein tha. Abhi recover hua hoon. Asli Himmatwala toh main hoon! :-/ @Kalyugipondit

Rajveenk: Sajid khan single handedly demolished the progress Hindi cinema made in 50 years. #himmatwala

RajnikantRajput: seriously Himmat chahiye Himmatwala dekhne k liye

pritesh241: After Disturbing Kohli's career, Tamanna has ruined Ajay Devgn and Sajid khan's Himmatwala career.=)) =D X_X :p

photojourney_tc: Save your time this week - "I always thought that RA ONE was the worst movie till date but 'Himmatwala' is even... https://www.facebook.com/travellingcamera/posts/10150288109969996

pateldipen196: Himmatwala vohi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jo puri himmatwala dekh le :D

NamanGupta30: #himmatwala I wish to give you oscar for creating such a senseless movie and harassing people for the same. @ItsMoviesTweets

mukulkapoordon: Oh fish himmatwala is just waste of time and money

mono_chromatic_: Today government can order to arrest Sajid Khan for making Himmatwala.

mitulrbhatt: Such bolta hu #APRILFOOL mat samajna. Himatwala boring movie frends Paise aur Time barbad mat karna. Thoda wait kar lo dusri movie aayegi..

mehimanshusingh: #Himmatwala is not a movie. It is the iceberg that sank Titanic.

mbkhan27: Himmatwala -The Epic Lame Movie

manujsharma18: Watched Himmatwala, must say such a crap n waste of funds...Hw come sajid khan gets Producers.?

manudutt: #himmatwala really borrrrrrinnnngggggg ...

listonmapra25: Tried reading a Chinese article on the web... Didn't make much sense; still a better experience than Himmatwala.

Latuhatibaruah: Stupid Sajid khan....bcoz of ur over confidence and challenging to critics is now what u r getting. #bakwaas himmatwala

kulkarnisanjay: You need a lot of "himmat" to start #himmatwala and even more to finish it. I'm the real himmatwala. Eeks! no I don't even want that title.

KshitijHR: Himmatwala is the biggest disaster of the decade beatingRam Gopal Verma Ki Aag. Cheers all AJAY fans. @welovedevgn

kolkatamovies: Himmatwala Review :- "@sendmeabc1d @kolkatamovies Joghonno! Waste of money n time!"

keerthan_g: The only thing that the movie Himmatwala has got right is Tamanna

kami3012: Himmatwala is Simply one of the worst movies in the Histoty of Bollywood. Ajay : Stop doing remakes Sajid : Stop directing #CrapMovie

JokesWitty: #Himmatwala is Sajid Khan's answer to sister Farha's #TeesMaarKhan or brother in law Kunder's #Joker. What a family !

joelbrags: Friends don't let friends watch Himmatwala.

jasssweet: A film like himmatwala deserve to go down..why,coz it will shut doors for many more such crappy stuff..

JadhavSushilvj: Farah Khan challenged Sajid Khan to make something worse than the IPL ads. Sajid Khan made #Himmatwala.

iPrasenjit_M: 30 mins more left for the 2nd Biggest Blunder of 2013 First was #HIMMATWALA and Today its #Dabangg2OnStarPlus @StarPlus

imsaurabhjoshi: Hugely dissapointed by #Himmatwala :(:(:( @ajaydevgn @utvfilms

iamQueenArchana: Don't like new #himmatwala :( the original was so much better and even the older naino main sapana was better @being_shevaal @VarshanSookhun

iamJigar123j: Lashkar - e - sajid owns the responsibility for the failure of the himmatwala

i3bb3s: I still regret that I watched the First Day First Show of #Himmatwala That was my first time and you ruined it >.<

harish_attri: last night I saw himmatwala i want my money back

hariniprabhu: Never walked out of a movie in 2 yrs. #himmatwala broke the record!!

Faiz_roxx: Watched #Himmatwala ... bhai kyun banaye yeh movie marro inke Bum pe laat ..!!!!!!

EdDiFieRr: "#Disasterwala @SinghRowdysingh: @imsaurabhjoshi @ajaydevgn @utvfilms hows the film ..#Flopwala or #Hitwala #Himmatwala"

Donny_Saheb: I hve witnessed Both Chutiyapa Genrated By Saala n Jija to the Hindi Cinema #Joker #Himmatwala

DJaynomics: Sajid Khan astonishes me. I thought he can't go below the level of Housefull. And then he made Himmatwala.

deepsha7: R.I.P whoever watches himatwala!! It will really kill you!m serious it really will!

Deepak_Mj1: sajid khan is a looser he fooled many by saying 3)Himmatwala Willl Be In Top 3 Highest Grossing Films This Year

DarshanBangera: Is it ok to think atleast the TIGER deserves to chomp off Ajay Devgn,Sajid and Vashuji for the agony #Himmatwala

csulive: It requires a 'himmat' to waste money watchng 'himmatwala':-P.:-P

Bollywood_Times: #Himmatwala is so bad + remake of a dull film+poor music..No actor,Noone, can make it a success...

BadMan_returns: Shirish Kundar ki joker..farah khan ka ipl ad..or ab sajid khan ki himmatwala...sala kya poore parivar mein hi defect hai kya...

BabaJogeshwari: Hey Sajid! Your Sis made a great spoof of the 60s & the 70s with OSO. You should've done the same with Himmatwala. Sigh! :-(

ashmita_m: For the very first time in my life i walked out of a movie #Himmatwala

Arpit2311: #Himmatwala Farah Khan chlngd Sajid Khan to make sthing worse than the IPL ads Sajid Khan made Himmatwala. :P

Akilbbz: #Farah Khan should have taught #Sajid Khan how to do the 'Jhampak-Jhampak' dance after losing his wicket on #Himmatwala.

ADshekabhi: Watched the most faltu film of this year....himmatwala!!!!!

adhithyakuttan: Hawk Eyes: ‘Himmatwala’ review: A poor cousin of the original... http://hawk-eyes-cell.blogspot.com/2013/03/himmatwala-review-poor-cousin-of.html?spref=tw #Himmatwala

AbhishekMehtaa: Himmatwaala review - crap+bullshit+mc+bc

abhinav1107: #himmatwala : crapiest movie of all times. If you absolutely must spend tht ticket money, go make a donation.

Abhi972: Those who says that we should not watch pirated movies, should take guarantee that something like HIMMATWALA will never come again.

Aayu17: Movies like Himmatwala are exactly why we all should be allowed to murder one person in our lifetime (Sajid Khan?!)

6 readers - 3 yays 2 so-so 1 nays

Not Interested in Watching, by Anup : Dont switch channel,,,,infact switch off ur tv if its on cable

Not Interested in Watching, by samforce : 5

Want to Watch, by Lyricspoints : fine

Want to Watch, by Ramesh Sharma : Love to Watch this movie soon.

Yay! Thumbs Up, by best Hindi lyrics website : fantastic

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Madhu Sharma

Yay! Thumbs Up, by TimELiebe : Yes, it's silly and obvious - but we had fun watching it just the same.

So-So, by guddu : Himmatwala deserved it :D

So-So, by Niharika

Nay! Thumbs Down, by Hindi Songs Lyrics

This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: A few action sequences. Nothing gory, but a lot of noise and throwing of people around.
  • Language: Clean
  • Nudity & Sexual content: Skimpily clad Tamannaah Bhatia. An attempt to rape. An unwed character says she is pregnant.
  • Concept: Good vs. evil
  • General Look and Feel: Loud, over-the-top, takes nothing seriously.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

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Story:
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Himmatwala - Cast, crew, links

Official Sites:
Director:
Dialogues:
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Background Score:
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Running time:
150 minutes
Reviewer:
Language:
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Comments (31)

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Anuj

80's was undoubtedly the worst era in bollywood till date!30 years later the pile of trash returns all over again.But again,if Ghajini,Rowdy Rathore and Bodyguard can become blockbusters,why not this?

P.S : I think inclusion of Shakti Kapoor and Ranjeet would have made it a perfect 80's "entertainer" :P

@Anuj *shudder* at the thought of watching Shakti Kapoor and Ranjeet back in old form. Bad enough they show up in new form, every once in a while.

Laxminarayan Hattangadi

One of the best film reviews I happen to have read in a long time! I cannot gather the "himmat" to watch this "Himmatwala".

Meetu as u know Sajid Khan is one of the most talented directors when it comes to venturing into Mass Entertainers or colloquaily said "Leave your brain at ur Home". Housefull and Housefull 2 were both Superhits I Personally only sit back and enjoy the giggle and fun but can't take the movie for granted .This newly evolved Cinema Movement of 100cr club is ruining the spirit of quality Filmaking of India , Sadly these filmakers are never discouraged or opposed by the Critical analysis of their film unlike in the West . There is no point criticising the film , there vision of Popular Mass entertainers are thriving profitably. :( :(

@Guddu the heartbreaking truth...

@Laxminarayan Thank you! :D

Dattaprasad Godbole

I am going to watch the film, in spite of knowing what I am gonna get, just because the person who's gonna accompany me is real fun to watch movies with and is nostalgic about old Himmatwala.

Thanks for the warning though, Meetu.

Fan

The original itself was so boring and annoying that I always wondered as to why would anybody make a remake.

Rape scenes are passé, and given current situation should have been removed from the film.

Pity that good actors like Paresh Rawal, Ajay Devgn and Mahesh Manjrekar accepted such crap.

@Dattaprasad oh well, the things you do for the experience. :D

@Fan True, true and true.

@Guddu : "Sadly these filmakers are never discouraged or opposed by the Critical analysis of their film unlike in the West ."

Sadly, you have a very rose-tinted view of the power of Western film critics - otherwise, why would Michael Bay and Roland Emmerlich have careers?

@Meetu - is this one of those movies where I come back saying how much I and my American Bollywood Fan friends enjoyed it, and you just put your head in your hands and moan, "Why, God? Why...?"

i am going to see the movie it will remember me the old movies with lot of fun and actions. i am going to see movie for Ajay devgan.he is the real himatwala

@TimELiebe: Michael Bay and Roland Emmerich are two filmmakers who have lucarative carrers but they are considered worst directors speaking of multi budget and Star studded Films. They do make money but there films are not acclaimed. Look out the Transformer Series except for the first one , every other one was universallly panned by critics , but they made millions . Emmerich is better than Bay wait for "White House Down" , although he makes Fools errand like 10000 B C . What I am trying to point out is that in the west there movies don't get affected by the cosmetic P R and campaigns like in the Bollywood . There audience have the knowledge of low brainer movies which only expect for moneymaking but now am seeing the change in Bollywood Audiences too after the weekend result of Himmatwala. @ Meetu is this a Miracle ? can u find the logic why this movie failed when it was served to those same audiences. :D :D :D

@Niharika :D

@TimELiebe I hope not. *fingers crossed* :D

@guddu i guess what @TimELiebe is saying is despite awful reviews that the said directors' films get, the movies do well, very much like our Sajid Khans and David Dhawans.

As far as the box office collections go - like they say, don't question when the going is good ;) But, I have full faith in the audience, over the next 10-15 years, I believe more and more good/different films will get wider audience. It doesn't matter then, whether such 'entertainers' are made or not.

ANuP

I think sajid khan wants to cross rgv's AAG and want to set a new bench mark for the baddest movie of bollywood,,,,thats why he created HIMMATWALA

@anup :D

Niharika

i love the movie it was some what boring but it was over all comedy one time watch movie and love the song taki taki song

Taki re taki re taki taki taki re…
Hey taki o taki re taki taki taki re
Jabse tu aankh mein jhanki
Ho taki haan taki re taki taki taki re
Jabse tu aankh mein jhanki
O aapas mein takdhin takdhin ho gaya
Ab kya reh gaya baki

Taki ho taki haan taki taki taki re
Jabse tu aankh me jhanki
Hey taki o taki haan taki taki taki re
Jabse main aankh mein jhanki
source :www.lyricsbogie.com/movies/himmatwala-2013/taki-o-taki-2.html

@Meetu - Oh, Dear, I think we're actually going to give this movie a look, just because the trailer appears so insanely stupid we just have to see it. I'm never quite sure about Ajay Devgan - is he a serious actor with a lust to be funny, or a comedy actor yearning to be taken as seriously as his wife is?

And yes - your reply to guddu was exactly what I meant. We've got softball reviewers and endless puff pieces on our big movies same as India, or any country with a film culture does. Good thing we all also have the Internet to rant about it too, eh? :)

@TimELiebe May the force be with you. :D

Himmatwala is the great movie, i liked it too much.

Sorry, @Meetu - we watched it...and liked it. I can see why you didn't, because it's a wink-wink nudge-nudge weren't these movies silly? version of the kind of Eighties masala you probably overdosed on seeing on television your whole life. Certainly our housekeeper, who grew up watching Seventies and Eighties masala, would have hated it too!

For us Americans the obvious jokes landed, largely because they were obvious enough for us to get they were jokes, Ajay Devgan was completely believable as a serious badass with his tongue firmly shoved in his cheek, and Ms. Bhatia, Ms. Jumani and Mrs. Wahab are all extremely good playing what they're expected to play. OTOH, no denying Paresh Rawal and Maresh Manjrekar were really horsing around with their roles....

@TimELiebe oh dear...

@Meetu - I read some reviews of this movie that suggested its "Bollywood In the Eighties" attitudes towards women really offended the reviewers.

I kind of got the feeling that Sajid Khan included those scenes thinking that by exaggerating them he was satirizing them (as he did so much else in this movie) - except that sexist attitudes and misogyny so often take such extreme forms in reality that they're impossible to exaggerate! The reason these scenes are so uncomfortable to watch, and yet keep getting repeated over and over in movies in every culture, is because no matter how incompetent the director is he (and it's almost always a "he" who includes these scenes!) can always get a strong reaction from the audience by including them.

It might have worked far better if Mr. Khan had made what the villains tried do to Padma (Ravi's sister) clearly ridiculous, to make it clearer that this scene is intended to be comic - like, I don't know, put on a clown nose and dance like a chicken, maybe...?

@TimELiebe I don't know about that. Every kind of humor/satire can be in good taste and bad taste. And what kind of taste totally depends on the viewer, right? Can there really be a wrong or right? Difficult. One can only say whether they liked it or not.

I don't know, Meetu - I just know I agree with you that those scenes with the women characters didn't land as comedy if they were meant to be comic, and I couldn't tell either. :(

@TimELiebe I know. unfortunate...

i like the movie.. Ajay Devgan gud acting in this movie..

best remake movie.

tamanna bhatia is very cute in this movie..

old himmatwala movie are best..

old himmatwala movie are best

I haven't watched this movie till now. But I am a great fan of Ajay Devgan. I am planning to watch it soon.

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