Bantu, enduring years of his father Valmiki’s bitter words, discovers his true lineage as an heir to a powerful family after being switched at birth. He moves to their mansion to safeguard them from a criminal drug lord’s assault and aids in resolving their familial conflicts.
Shehzada review: The film, a remake of the Telugu movie Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, begins on an engaging note as nurse Valmiki (Paresh Rawal) and office clerk Randeep Jindal (Ronit Bose Roy) swap their sons. Bantu, trapped in a modest household with his resentful father for 25 years, embarks on a journey to uncover his identity and shield his real family from the villainous Sarang (Sunny Hinduja), a drug mafioso.
Amid various subplots, including Bantu’s lawyer girlfriend Samara (Kriti Sanon) set to marry Raj Jindal (Ankur Rathee), embezzlement within the family, Randeep and Yashu’s (Manisha Koirala) strained marriage, and the criminal drug trade, the central theme of the exchanged boys’ destinies gets overshadowed. These threads are haphazardly woven together, including scenes like Bantu confronting harassers, rescuing Samara, and taking on Sarang’s henchmen.
Kartik’s portrayal of the audacious and compassionate Bantu is natural, though lacking novelty. Kriti Sanon’s stunning presence doesn’t translate into substantial engagement. Paresh Rawal and Ronit deliver standout performances, with the latter deserving more screen time. Rajpal Yadav’s cameo adds humour but doesn’t contribute significantly to the plot.
The fight choreography, marked by slow-motion and macro videography, along with Sudeep Chatterjee’s cinematography, enhance the visual appeal. While the title track ‘Shehzada’ by Sonu Nigam stands out, the other songs remain average.
Shehzada thrives on its campy humour, audacious protagonist, and action sequences. If you enjoy mass entertainment and a fun-filled outing with friends, a visit to the theatre for this film is worth considering.
Rating: 6/10