Friday, 28th October 11:00 AM IST

SHIVAAY Is Lavishly Mounted Action Film But Without Soul 

Pluses:

Ajay Devgn is first rate, outstanding locations, very well shot, breathtaking action sequences 

Minuses:

Stretched screenplay, poor editing, below par dialogues 

Critic Rating:

3/5

Business Rating:

3.5/5

Verdict:

Watch it for acation and locations 

Detailed Analysis:

Ajay Devgn directed 'U Me Aur Hum', a messed up remake of 'The Notebook'. Now he is back with larger than life action saga. 

Plot is complicated. The film starts off with the fearless daredevil Shivaay (Ajay Devgn) helping the Indian Army in an assignment amidst the snow-clad mountains and dangerous terrains. This is followed by him leading a group of enthusiastic mountaineers to an expedition. On this expedition, he meets Olga Paramski (Erika Kaar). Gradually, they both fall in love and have a love child Gaura (Abigail Eames). After the birth of Gaura (who is mute by birth), Olga leaves both, Shivaay and Gaura, in order to live her life in her home country Bulgaria. Post that, Shivaay looks after Gaura as a single parent and tells her that her mother is dead. But, one day, when Gaura discovers the truth about her mother, she gets very angry at Shivaay for lying to her. In order to pacify her, Shivaay takes Gaura to Bulgaria to meet her mother Olga. It is here that Gaura gets kidnapped by unknown human traffickers. Thereafter starts Shivaay’s search for his daughter Gaura. He is helped by Anushka (Sayyeshaa), Wahab (Vir Das) and Sharma (Saurabh Shukla). Does Shivaay manage to trace Gaura as well as Olga in the unknown country of Bulgaria, what are the obstacles that he faces while searching Olga and Gaura, what role does Anushka play in Shivaay’s life is what forms the rest of the film.

Film has uneven screenplay. Its slow in 1st half but in middle of 2nd half it gets into fast mode before again getting over stretched in the end.

Performance wise Ajay Devgn carries film on his shoulder with very genuine act. Only thing it becomes too much of him after a point as none of supporting cast has any spark. Sayesha is honest but lacks spring of newcomer. Erika is decent and Abigail is very good. Vir Das fizzles in extended cameo and Girish Kana? are average. 

Music is average but a chartbuster is missing as Mithoon treats this one as regular album with one Baadshah song and one romantic song kind of template. Film has outstanding cinematography with breathtaking locales. Cos times are tacky. Editing is poor as film runs for 2 hours 52 minutes. Art design is authentic. Story is good but screenplay gets messed up at places. 

Director Ajay Devgn has made a decent film but he loses the grip towards the end. Also over use of drama and intensity at places work against the film. Great execution on shoot but poor writing hurt the film most. 

Film will release today with gold numbers and it will score at box office. Film will face stiff competition from 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'. 

Go watch it if you are action movie junkie!