After a smartly executed curiosity driven campaign, the promo of Gabbar Is Back has finally been unleashed. The outcome is pretty much as expected, what with an out-and-out massy entertainer with a strong social message – that against corruption – been thrown in. For Akshay Kumar, the film pretty much stands as third in the trilogy of his social action entertainers after Holiday and Baby.
We bring to you 10 reasons that make the Gabbar Is Back promo special, as a result of which it warrants repeat viewing.
Recall value of the title
Gabbar – The name has been iconic for four decades now. More than Mogambo. More than Shakaal. More than Dr. Dang. More than the rest. The greatest villain ever has also been the most moveable of them all. No wonder, when a film releases with Gabbar in the title, it enjoys immense recall value with at least three generations.
Dialogues
Rajat Aroraa – The man has never disappointed when it comes to writing some iconic modern day dialogues. So when he integrates classic lines like ‘Pachaas Pachaas Kos’ with ‘Rishwat Li Toh Gabbar Maar Dega’, ‘Ab Gabbar Ka PWD chalega’ and ‘Sabke Karam Saamne Aayenge’ while rounding it up with ‘Ab Tera Kya Hoga Kalia’, you know that applause, seetis and taalis in theaters are a given!
Akshay Kumar in a new bearded look
Akshay Kumar is experimenting, and how, while being in an out-and-out commercial avatar. If his serious mustached look in Baby was accepted by the classes galore, expect masses to go into ruptures with his ‘I-mean-business’ bearded look that pretty much demonstrates that Akshay is happy to play his age. Yes, that hint of grey conveys that as well.
Strong supporting cast
Someone had to introduce Suman, known for his villainous act in Rajinikanth’s Sivaji – The Boss, to the Bollywood scheme of things. Thankfully, it is happening with just the right film, as the soft looking actor (with an even softer name) gears up for a hard hitting act as the chief baddy after doing 100 odd films down South. Further spice is added by the presence of Jaideep Ahlawat who has been good each time around, whether it is Commando, Gangs of Wasseypur or Khatta Meetha (his first Bollywood film where he played a villain as Akshay Kumar’s brother-in-law).
Action
Entertaining, massy and yet not going overboard – the action of Gabbar pretty much appears to be in line with what the genre demands. Stunt director Siva knows that with Akshay Kumar at his disposal, he can choose to bring on some live-wire entertainment on screen. By the look of things, it is pretty much in the offering.
Background Score
Though one waits to hear what composers Chirantan Bhatt and Honey Singh have to offer with the music, at least from the background score perspective the impact has been made. Sandeep Chowta is a pro when it comes to delivering a high octane soundtrack to elevate a scene and what one gets to hear in the promo is pretty much a testimony of that. Expect fireworks with some iconic Sholay snippets thrown in.
The paradox
Kaam Se Hero, Naam Se Villain – The paradox is set right at the beginning of the promo (and in fact the entire promotional campaign) where the makers have set the expectations right by placing what Gabbar stands for. And then they have brought out the paradox by calling him a villain. No wonder, the debate continued with some terming him as a villain, and others ‘a good man’. Take your pick!
The ‘Aam Aadmi’ connect
Now that’s a flavor that would be there for the keeps. With ‘aam aadmi’ calling the shots in quite a few mediums, especially with the advent of social media, it is a given that most massy of the films won’t be a ‘one man against the world’ saga. So when the lead protagonist fires away the question ‘Aap Mein Se Gabbar Kaun Hai, Kaun Hai Gabbar’, the result is pretty much on the expected lines.
The architects
So far, A.R. Murugadoss has a cent percent record in Bollywood (Holiday, Ghajini) and an excellent strike rate down South as a director. Now that his story is being used for Gabbar, there is a volatile outing expected. Moreover, director Krish may be a debutant in Bollywood but he has some impressive work down South. In tandem, they seem to have adapted to all-India sensibilities pretty well.
The creative team
Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Shabina Khan had come together for Akshay Kumar’s biggest grosser till date, Rowdy Rathore. Now they have gone massy all over again with Gabbar and seem to be on a mission to surpass their earlier effort. With Viacom 18 coming up with a 360 degrees promotional campaign, the creative aspects demonstrated so far when it comes to bringing Gabbar to the audience has been superb!
