There are good and bad films, but nothing can be worse than easy-to-forget movies. Unfortunately, Kartik Aaryan’s Shehzada falls in the last category. While it was exciting to see Kartik and Kriti Sanon on screen after a long gap, I wish they had a better script to work with. There are moments of redemption in the film, but they are too far and too few.
Scroll down to read my honest thoughts:
Shehzada is the Hindi remake of Allu Arjun’s Telugu hit Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. The movie is the age-old tale of two kids who were switched at birth by the affluent Jindal family’s naukar Valmiki (played brilliantly by Paresh Rawal). The billionaire’s son, Bantu (Kartik Aaryan) is raised in a poor home. Meanwhile, Valmiki’s son is raised by the Jindal family. Plotline might sound interesting to you, but my thoughts will give you a hint whether to book tickets or not:
- OMG, what a violent start. I thought it was a light-hearted comedy-action film!
- I am loathing Valmiki already! Does this man have no heart?
- Here’s Kartik as Bantu! Damn, he is cocky, street-smart and hella hilarious.
- Bantu’s banter with Valmiki is giving me life. Love their sassy comebacks.
- Can Bantu stop talking about Kriti aka Samara’s ‘lambi taange‘. *Cringe*
- Every red flag you can find in an employee, Bantu has it all.
- Does Samara have nothing to do other than flirt with Bantu?
- Urghhh..can’t Samara turn down a man she doesn’t like? This woman needs to get a spine.
- Raj is such a man-child!
- I think Samara is just plain evil or stupid. Why did she say yes to shaadi with Raj?
- I honestly feel bad for Raj. He is so sweet but dumb AF.
- I think Bantu’s beedis have more screentime than Kriti.
- Bantu is pretty chill for a guy who just discovered that his whole life was a lie.
- Too much family drama is happening! I am so exhausted watching this film.
- Why is this random drug peddler here?
- This emotional exchange between Yashu (Manisha Koirala) and Randeep Nanda (Ronit Roy) is making me cry.
- Bantu has no life goals, he just wants to chill. Very ‘us bro’ moment!
- Rajpal Yadav’s cameo is a total waste. *Yawn*
- I have more chemistry with my laptop than Samara and Bantu.
- WTF was that cringe kiss? I need to cleanse my eyes now!
- Finally, it is time for an action sequence.
- Was this it? Even I would have lasted longer in a fight!
- Oh nana ji knew the truth all along. Very chalak bro, very chalak.
- Is no one even going to question Valmiki? Excuse me, folks, he stole your child!
- WTF is this ending? Who is the real CEO of the Jindal group now—Raj or Bantu?
- I need answers!
- This is the most sudden ending. Will there be a Shehzada sequel now?
- While Kartik’s performance was a little OTT, he is killing it with his moves in Character Dheela 2.0.
Shehzada at its best is a failed attempt to capture the magic of the Telugu version. It might work for Kartik fans, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I give this film 2.5/5 stars. The film could have been so much more but alas Kartik played it safe this time.
Feature Image: Instagram
