Indian Cinema is put to the test every week. We were recently exposed to the likes of Dhak Dhak and Mission Raniganj, both of which were critically acclaimed but financially doomed at the box office.
Starring Tiger Shroff in the lead, Ganapath is a new Sci-Fi, action film, which is, quite surprisingly, not a remake.
I am saying this because Shroff is synonymous with South Indian remakes. Take, for example, Heropanti or Baaghi.
However, Ganapath is an original story (at least, officially) that aims to make a mark and appeal to the masses.
Here’s my review.
Ganapath Synopsis
A Deadly war results in chaos across the world, furthering the gap between the rich and the poor.
While the latter is oppressed as always, the former accumulates enough wealth to build a lavish “Silver City” for themselves.
The rise of a warrior is imminent for only he can change the fortunes of those without money.
Directed by Vikas Bahl, Ganapath stars Tiger Shroff and Kriti Sanon in lead roles. Amitabh Bachchan plays a cameo in the movie.
What Works for Ganapath?
The only thing that goes in favor of the movie is Action, which is also not as stealthy as expected.
The combats among the protagonists are well executed. I didn’t find enough fuel in the freestyle boxing sequences inside the ring.
How are the Performances?
A chiseled Tiger Shroff (Guddu/Ganapath) rises from a muddy grave in one of the scenes, deploying all his curves and bodily aesthetics.
He is as intense as he has always been in the titular role. His violent shades easily overpower the actor’s attempts at innocence.
However, emotions are still raw coming from him, and Tiger may have given up on them as well for his sole focus remains action and bodybuilding.
Kriti Sanon impresses in a rough and rusty role. Honestly, she trumps Shroff on several occasions.
Her on-screen presence is consistently impressive, and she navigates her role without a single misstep.
However, the script doesn’t do her justice, attempting to provide more depth to her character within a narrative already tilted toward the male lead.
She excels in the emotional sequences with the grace of a queen and handles action with the prowess of a warrior.
Amitabh Bachchan, portraying Dalpathy, makes a fleeting appearance in Ganapath.
Despite his limited screen time, the legendary actor’s magnetic presence captivates the audience for the brief duration he graces the narrative.
What Doesn’t Work for Ganapath?
The very concept itself appears alarmingly clichéd, as if director Bahl drew inspiration from age-old folklore and clumsily attempted to blend it with the fast-paced modern era.
In this endeavor, he overlooks the fundamental elements of storytelling. The film tries hard to evoke emotions, almost coercing the audience into shedding tears.
Yet, in the end, you’re more likely to regret the moment you bought tickets for Ganapath.
There are simply no hooks. The first half relies on the machoism of Tiger Shroff. He is too smart and hot for ladies to resist.
Given any opportunity, Tiger unabashedly sheds his attire to flaunt his chiseled physique, but this spectacle does little to salvage the film’s narrative.
Digging into Ganapath’s storyline, we are welcomed to a physical wall between the rich and the poor.
The affluent luxuriate in opulence, while the destitute pin their hopes on a messianic figure who would deliver them from their plight.
Unsurprisingly, Guddu (Tiger) assumes the role of the savior, yet a glaring issue arises in the fact that he is unaware of his true calling, a duty he’s distanced from by the very divide he’s meant to bridge.
With this framework in place, the rest of the plot becomes predictably uninspiring.
Devoting over two hours in a cinema hall for such an offering in today’s cinematic landscape feels unrealistically meaningless just like Ganapath’s plot.
And even though Bahl tries to create a tech-driven world, the movie feels regressive because of the writing.
The dialogues are cheesy, the jokes are cringe, and the drama is unbearable. There is no sense in the narrative.
And, hold your breath, the makers have promised a part 2 for the movie (let that sink in).
Moreover, Ganapath’s screenplay is marked by a distinct lack of engagement.
People were talking in the PVR as if they were sitting in a park.
That’s how gripping the film is.
It tries to woo you with VFX sometimes, but the results remain on the bleak side.
Above all, I think, the makers fail to put in the required conviction to produce the project they initially embarked upon.
Ganapath is not just half-baked but also painfully half-hearted.
There is a scene where Guddu jumps through a wired fence and lord Ganesha’s sand art emerges beside him upon landing.
I still fail to understand what traits, aside from the name, the primary character has to be even compared to Lord Ganesha.
Should You Watch Ganapath?
Not in my right sense can I suggest you go for this film. Stay far, far away even when it debuts on Netflix a few weeks later.
FAQs
Who is Dalini in Ganapath?
Dalini is the main villain of the movie. However, he is not in human form. As far as I can guess, Dalini is a robotic villain, a product of Artificial Intelligence.