Film review: ‘Sardar Gabbar Singh’ is strictly for Telugu star Pawan Kalyan’s massive fan base

Venkataratnam Naidu/Sardaar Gabbar Singh (Pawan Kalyan) is transferred to a border village, Rattanpur on a promotional transfer to control local feudal lord, Bhairav Singh (Sharad Kelkar). Besides that duty, Sardaar also tries to impress, a strong and silent Princess Arshi Devi (Kajal Aggarwal). Very soon the battle between Sardaar and Bhairav Singh becomes personal and the latter gets Sardaar suspended. What happens next in Rattanpur and Sardaar’s life forms the rest of the story.

Pawan Kalyan walks through Sardaar Gabbar Singh role very easily with his style, attitude, comic timing, acute punches, powerful dialogues and action episodes. More than any thing, his amazing screen presence is more than enough to cater the needs of the fans. Kajal Aggarwal is fine as the Princess but her character do not offer anything amazing. Sharad Kelkar is not imposing or frightening as he needs to be. Kabir Dulhan Singh even though plays his lower-level oink is much threatening. Mukesh Rishi, Tanikella Bharani, Rao Ramesh are not used to their potential. The comedy club – Brahmi or the Police Gang are not so impressive.

The biggest plus is Pawan Kalyan as we already said. And then, he is also equally minus with his script. The story is noting but a rehash of several films like Sholay, Khaleja, Lakshmi Narasimha and Kick-2. We can easily predict the ending with just watching the first 10 minutes of the film and then you see Pawan Kalyan bashing the baddies every 30 minutes. The first half of the film struggles to get the Average card while the second half totally goes wayward and the last 20 minutes or so is the less talked the much better.

Devi Sri Prasad came up with a mediocre film except for Tauba Tauba song, none of the songs are impressive. The songs kill the second half further by acting as speed breakers. However the back ground score gels well with the mood of the film. Arthur Wilson’s Camera work is fine. Gautham Raju is disappointing in the editing department. Production Values are fine.

Finally, Sardaar Gabbar Singh is no where close to its predecessor. Pawan Kalyan is the standalone respite for the film. However a script lacking focus intensity and attitude of its predecessor, let down the film complete. Pawan Kalyan fans may relish the screen presence of their favourite actor. Hoping anything better than that is a crime.