Director: Ranjit Tiwari
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Lara Dutta, Huma Qureshi, Vaani Kapoor, Adil Hussain, Dolly Ahluwalia
Going to the cinema after nearly a year is truly an enthralling experience – Dolby sound and on the big screen the dashing Akshay Kumar in his latest commercial release.
With that steely moustache, Anshul (Kumar) makes an entry that is worth the audience whistles. By now we all know that this is Akshay’s ‘undercover agent’ look. Dressed in his retro bellbottoms, Anshul pretends to be doing a boring government desk job while secretly working for the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) – India’s espionage wing.
MORE LIKE THIS…
Based on the countless hijackings of Indian passenger aircraft that were taking place, Ranjit Tiwari’s espionage thriller takes us through India’s political ties with Pakistan and the Middle East. In the two hours, the film captures the incognito turmoil stewing in the midst of India’s seemingly cordial relations with neighbouring Pakistan during the era of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s (Dutta).
Anshul and his team of spies are sent on a covert mission to rescue 210 hostages held by an anti-national group secretly funded by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). From Amritsar to Lahore to finally landing on the tarmac at Dubai, the hijacked Indian Airlines flight is carefully being watched by the triad of nations.
MORE LIKE THIS…
Tiwari builds the momentum but sadly leaves us with a rather silly climax, with Anshul dodging a sandstorm. Kumar’s physique and his poker face are the perfect pegs for the role. Dutta’s prosthetic artists have done a remarkable job, leaving no room for ambiguity. And my favourite, Adil Hussain, can pull off any character with pristine devotion. This one reminding me much of ‘Ek Tha Tiger’s’ Shenoy sir.
Let’s not forget to mention that once again the vast UK landscape has attracted the Bollywood crew to Scotland. So, if you are looking for a pinch of drama, action and wee romance, ‘Bell Bottom’ is now screening in cinemas and is expected on Amazon Prime in the coming weeks.
