Action Replayy (2010) - Movie Review

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Aditya Roy Kapur
Director: Vipul Amrutlal Shah

Vipul Shah isn't new name in Bollywood. On 2010 Deepawali Vipual unleashes his long-awaited 'Action Replay'. As isn't unusual in the industry, Shah based the movie on a Gujarati film by the same name. Incidentally and interestingly, this Bollywood flick is similar to Hollywood's 'Back ToThe Future' starring teenager Michael J. Fox. Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai and action super hero Akshay Kumar are back in action in this Deepawali movie.

The movie revolves around young Bunty played by Aditya Roy Kapoor who doesn't want to marry his girlfriend. He is tainted by what he sees at home. Mom, Mala played by Aishwarya Rai, and dad, Kishen played by Akshay Kumar, hate each other. Bunty has always wondered if he traveled back in time he might be able to save his parent's marriage.

Shah's movie is based on the 1970's Bombay, different from today's Mumbai. The city's roads were much less crowded with fewer vehicles and thinner populace. Bunty's father Akshay Kumar is buck-teethed and suffers from lack of confidence. So, everyone makes fun of him just like in Will Smith's 'Hitch'. Aishwarya Rai is loved by another person named Rannvijay. The latter is waiting in the wings to win Ash. A dating guru makes both suitors - Akki and Rannvijay - to fight it out in a singing medley contest.

A critical analysis would have the plot weak and not able to stand on its own. Akshay and Ash deliver roles that border on the juvenile. In fact, and otherwise not bad comic Akki is seen lacking something to keep the laughter ringing. But, Akshay does deliver an extraordinary performance for the genre and more than compensates for the script. As an actor, Ash excels in her role. She returns to the screen with Akki after a gap of six years. The Last was 'Khakee' in 2004. The two admire each other. Akshay compliments Ash as being beautiful and says everytime Ash delivered a scene it was flawless. Ash returns the favor saying Akshay brings loads of fun to the sets and keeps spirits very high. Vipul goes about the schedule very quickly but Akshay made sure that we were all entertained.

Kirron Kher and Om Puri hardly had scope to prove their skills but seem wasted. They do add some fun whenever on screen. A flaw in the movie is the lack of a good soundtrack. Pritam's music score is just average and has one chartbuster though "Zor ka jhatka...." to feel proud of. Wish Pritam had done something more to make the movie a hit. This one certainly comes behind 'Golmaal 3'.