Available on Netflix.
Sooryavanshi follows DCP Veer Sooryavanshi, the Chief of India’s Anti-Terrorism Squad, as he attempts to protect Mumbai from one of the worst terror attacks in history.
Rohit Shetty has tactfully expanded his cop universe over the years – keeping the audience engaged and die-hard fans of the genre on the edge. After the Singham series (headlined by Ajay Devgn) and then Simbaa (starring Ranveer Singh), now storms in Sooryavanshi (Akshay Kumar), amidst much fanfare, drama, and blaring theatrics. Sooryavanshi’s character was subtly announced towards the end of Simmba. The film has all the elements, attitude, style, showmanship and heavy-duty star power expected of a Rohit Shetty offering.
The story in the film unfolds as the biggest attack is yet to happen in the city, as some sleeper cells from Lashkar have been activated and it is found that 600 kilos of RDX leftover from ’93 serial attacks are being used for the purpose.
Enter DCP Veer Sooryavanshi, with a solid mission! Sooryavanshi is riddled with clichés and the length could do with a good edit, especially in the first half. Post interval, it gets gripping with loaded action. Akshay Kumar delivers a knockout performance. It’s an Akshay show all the way with his star power and screen presence looming large.
Katrina Kaif looks stunning on-screen and her sensual moves to the iconic song ‘Tip Tip Barsa Paani’ is undoubtedly clap-worthy, Ajay Devgn’s and Ranveer Singh’s smashing entry in the second half elevates the film and adds the striking punch. As Bajirao Singham and Sangram Bhalerao respectively, the three actors steal the show in the few scenes they have together.
The ensemble cast, which includes Jackie Shroff as the leader of the terrorist gang Omar Afeez, as well as other group members Gulshan Grover, Abhimanyu Singh, Kumud Mishra and Nikitin Dheer, makes a substantial contribution to the plot’s progression. Jaaved Jaaferi’s portrayal of ATS head Kabir Shroff, on the other hand, perfectly plays his serious cop part.
While the background score of Sooryavansi sets the mood, the songs are not particularly memorable. The revamped version of ‘Najaa’ is an earworm, but we don’t get to hear it in the film. However, the trio dancing to Daler Mehndi’s ‘Aila Re Aillaa’ is entertaining. Veer Sooryavanshi, Akshay Kumar has successfully taken over the mantle from his predecessors (Singham and Simmba), and with a generous dose of flying and somersaulting cars, this one is quite a bumper Diwali entertainer for you.