There’s a unique energy to a packed cinema when Ajay Devgn walks onto the screen especially when he’s got a twinkle of mischief in his eyes and India-Pakistan jokes up his sleeve. “Son of Sardaar 2” had all the makings of a Bollywood masala entertainer: a star-led cast, high jinks and the promise of laughs straddling both borders. But sometimes even the sharpest banter can’t save a film when the story itself struggles to keep up.
Standing Ovation for the Jokes
From the get go Ajay Devgn owns the space between laughter and diplomacy. His character unleashes a volley of clever one-liners, cheeky border jabs and banter that lights up the faces of everyone in the audience no matter which side they cheer for. The writers clearly decided if there’s anywhere the film was going to shine it was going to be the comedy.
It’s not just about the punchlines referencing cricket matches and Bollywood’s eternal rivalries; it’s about how Ajay Devgn delivers each gag. You get the feeling that if the entire plot was left behind at Wagah, Devgn would still find a way to make the audience giggle.
When the Plot Falls Flat
But here’s the rub the laughs start feeling a bit hollow when you realize the film is running on comedic fumes. The plot unfortunately feels like an afterthought. The story meanders through predictable tropes: family feuds, mistaken identities and predictable reunions. There’s little new here and the narrative feels stitched together as an excuse for the next joke or a cameo.
As the film barrels forward you can’t shake the sense that even the actors are in on the joke: it’s all about giving you laughs not delivering a story you’ll remember long after you leave the theatre.
Final Thoughts
If you’re heading to the theatre for rip-roaring laughter and a break from the serious business of life “Son of Sardaar 2” delivers at least as far as the jokes go. But if you’re hoping for a layered story or a plot you can sink your teeth into this border skirmish is all bark and not enough bite.
Sometimes films are simply about sharing a laugh with friends. And on that score Ajay Devgn proves once again he’s the man for the moment even if the movie leaves you wishing for something more.
