Ganapath - A Hero Is Born Review
Ganapath: A Hero is Born - A Dystopian Nightmare
Director: Vikas Bahl
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon, Amitabh Bachchan, Elli AvrRam, Rahman, Gauahar Khan, Jameel Khan, Girish Kulkarni, Shruthy Menon, Ziad Bakri, Jess Liaudin
"Ganapath: A Hero is Born" Part 1 ventures into a fictional dystopian future, presenting a world divided between a wealthy elite residing within a futuristic walled city and a destitute class struggling for survival outside. The impoverished community places its hopes in the belief that a savior named Ganapath will emerge to rescue them from their plight.
Thalapathy (Amitabh Bachchan) leads the impoverished settlement, fostering a wrestling culture with the aim of nurturing a hero who can lead them to victory against the privileged. Enter Guddu (Tiger Shroff), a right-hand man to the main antagonist, John The Englishman, overseeing all illicit activities within the walled city. Guddu's life takes a turn when he is expelled and left to perish for flirting with John's girlfriend. The narrative unfolds as Guddu joins forces with Jassi (Kriti Sanon), a fighter seeking her lost mother, and Thalapathy to challenge the oppression of the affluent and seek revenge.
While the premise holds promise on paper, the execution of "Ganapath" falls short, resulting in a disjointed and confusing cinematic experience. Despite commendable intentions to explore dystopian themes in a commercial Bollywood film, the cringe-worthy performances of the cast, particularly Tiger Shroff and Kriti Sanon, detract from the narrative. The action sequences lack originality, resembling tropes seen in previous Tiger Shroff films.
The film struggles with inconsistent tone and a lack of creative coherence, attempting to blend humor with serious themes without a clear narrative direction. At a runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes, the film feels rushed, evident in abrupt edits, narrative gaps, and a confused overall flow. The dystopian setting and futuristic packaging cannot compensate for the film's superficiality and lack of substance.
In a cinematic landscape evolving with films like "Pathaan," "Jawan," and "Gadar 2," which contribute to the revival of Hindi cinema in theaters, "Ganapath" appears out of touch with contemporary audience expectations. The film fails to resonate in a landscape that has moved beyond formulaic tropes, setting the industry back rather than pushing it forward. With an unclear narrative direction, the film struggles to find its place, leaving audiences with a sense of disappointment.
Tiger Shroff delivers a predictable performance that does little to elevate the film, and Kriti Sanon, despite her recent National Award win, finds herself in a film that hampers her potential. Director Vikas Bahl's involvement raises questions about the choice of projects and creative direction.
In conclusion, "Ganapath: A Hero is Born" stands as a dystopian nightmare that falls short of its aspirations, offering little more than a confusing and forgettable cinematic experience. The hope for improvement in a potential Part 2 remains uncertain.
