KRRISH 3 | 2 November, 2013

Filmkraft Productions (India) Pvt. Ltd.’s Krrish 3 is a sequel to Krrish and takes the story of superhero Krishna forward. In the first part, Koi…Mil Gaya, Rohit (Hrithik Roshan), a slow learner, had been blessed with super-powers by Jadoo, who had come from space. In the second part, Krrish, Krishna, son of Rohit, had grown up to be a handsome young man (Hrithik Roshan) endowed with super-powers. In his mask and cape, Krishna alias Krrish had saved many lives by putting his super-powers to use. He had also rescued his father (Rohit Mehra), who was presumed dead but who was actually held captive by Dr. Arya (Naseeruddin Shah) for using his (Rohit’s) sharp intellect to serve his (Dr. Arya’s) ulterior motives.

In Krrish 3, Krishna is happily married to Priya (Priyanka Chopra) who is a journalist working in a television channel. He lives with her and his scientist-father, Rohit Mehra. Rohit has just successfully completed an experi­ment which proves that sunlight infuses life in the dead but the experiment needs to be tweaked. Soon, Priya gets pregnant and there’s a lot of anticipation in the family for her first child. Krishna keeps losing his job every few days because his employers are unaware that when he is away from duty during work hours, he has actually donned the Krrish mask and cape to help people in distress. Krrish is a national hero by now but except for his father and wife, nobody knows that Krishna is the revered Krrish.

Elsewhere in the world, a deadly virus breaks out, killing hundreds of people. Even as Rohit Mehra and doctors all over the world are trying to make an antidote for the virus, news comes in that the antidote, made by Kaal Laboratories, has reached the virus-infected area. Soon, a similarly deadly virus infects Bombay, killing hundreds. Since Kaal Laboratories, run by Kaal (Vivek Oberoi), itself spreads the virus first and then floods the market with its antidote, Kaal is keen to delay the release of the antidote in the market just yet so that he can command the price he wants and thereby make tons of money. Pained by the misery of the infected people, Rohit Mehra manages to make the antidote and Krrish uses his super-powers to deliver the antidote everywhere.

Kaal is an invalid, confined to his wheel-chair with only his two fingers having sensation below his neck. He is super-intelligent and has set up a laboratory in which he has created mutants which are half-human-half-animals. Kaya (Kangana Ranaut) is one such mutant creation of Kaal who, incidentally, is constantly on the lookout for a cure for his malady.

Distressed that some scientist had beaten him at his own game, Kaal has Priya kidnapped first and Rohit Mehra later. Meanwhile, on Kaal’s instructions, Kaya had assumed the form of Priya and had started living with Krishna so that she could get information from Rohit Mehra (before his kidnap) about how he had made the antidote.

When he learns that his father is held captive by Kaal, Krishna reaches Kaal’s laboratory with the help of Kaya to save his father and to put an end to Kaal’s nefarious activities. But Kaal proves to be too smart for him, endowed as he is with immense intelligence. He uses Krishna’s DNA to cure his own disability. Why, Kaal even kills Krishna and comes to Bombay city to eliminate the child taking birth in Priya’s womb.

Does Kaal succeed? Does Priya have to sacrifice her child because of Kaal? What happens to Rohit? Is Krishna really dead? Who is Kaal and why does Krishna’s DNA help him get cured?

Rakesh Roshan’s story is simple and, in the true spirit of a sequel, takes the drama of the previous films (Koi…Mil Gaya and Krrish) forward. It keeps the audience engaged and involved right from the word ‘go’. The drama connects beautifully with the audience and, in spite of there being usage of technical jargon, the simplified manner in which things are explained makes it comprehensible to all concerned. The screenplay, penned by Rakesh Roshan, Honey Irani, Robin Bhatt, Akarsh Khurana and Irfan Kamal, is excellent because it moves very logically and does not leave the emotional thread of the first and second parts even one bit. The emotions in the film are understated but which would straightaway make their way to the audience’s heart. What’s also wonderful about the screenplay is that it integrates the visual effects beautifully into the drama.

The first half is smooth as silk. There are a few places where the pace dips in the second half but that does not take away much from the screenplay. Also, the film’s script lacks in two important ingredients – comedy and romance. There is very little humour but, fortunately, that aspect, to an extent, is taken care of by Rohit Mehra’s character, mannerisms, style of talking and walking. If, in spite of the dips in pace at places and lack of comedy and romance, the drama still wonderfully holds the audience’s attention and keeps the interest alive throughout, it is because the film has many plus points and clap-worthy scenes and sequences. In particular, the audience will applaud with claps and whistles the scenes in which Krrish helps the aeroplane to land, in which Krrish battles Kaya and another mutant outside his house, in which he distributes the antidote of the deadly virus, in which he holds an entire building to reduce its impact on crashing, in which he saves the child in the pram etc. The scene in which Rohit Mehra revives Krishna will be met with a deafening round of applause. Similarly, the scene in which Krrish appears in the climax to fight Kaal will evoke applause which will create mini tremors in the cinema halls. The hand-to-hand fight between Krrish and Kaal in the latter’s laboratory is breathtaking. Climax is simply exhilarating and just too exciting. Sanjay Masoom’s dialogues are simple, not over-dramatic but they do touch the heart, especially in the emotional scenes.

Hrithik Roshan lives the role of Rohit Mehra and delivers an absolutely stunning performance. He is extremely endearing in that role and should easily pick up awards for the film on the strength of his performance in this role. As Krishna, he is lovely. His physique is to die for. And as Krrish, he is heroic to the core. The character of Krrish will be simply adored by the kids who will go crazy over his antics. The act of Krrish giving a wrist-band to Vicky, the kid whom he rescues, is a master stroke from the point of view of script and it will re-consolidate Hrithik Roshna’s superstar status among the kid generation. Priyanka Chopra gets limited scope. She acts with a lot of sincerity and does a truly fine job. Kangana Ranaut is first-rate in a very difficult role which, nevertheless, has various shades and which gives her immense scope to perform. Her look is wonderful. Vivek Oberoi spews venom with his villainy. He puts his heart and soul in the character of Kaal and shines. His entry scene is excellent and will be met with applause. Arif Zakaria (as Dr. Shetty) and Asif Basra (as Dr. Alok Sen) leave their marks. Rajpal Yadav’s comedy doesn’t add to the drama. Raju Kher, Yusuf Hussain, master Faizan Khan (as Vicky), Sachin Khedekar (special appearance), Mohnish Bahl (special appearance) and Gargi Patel (special appearance) provide formidable support. Rakhi Vijan, Ehsaan Khan, Gowhar Khan (as mutant frog man), Sameer Ali Khan (as mutant ant man), Nazia Shaikh (as mutant cheetah woman), Danniel Kaleb (as mutant rhino man), Shaurya Chauhan (as mutant scorpion woman), Amrit Pal Singh (as mutant swordfish man), Vineet Sharma (as pilot), Ajay Verma (as co-pilot), Mamta (as Vicky’s mother), Baldev Trehan (as the old man in the mall) and Sanobar Pardiwala (as the mother in the mall) lend fair sup­port. Others are okay.

Rakesh Roshan’s direction is extraordinary. He deserves the fullest marks not just for his narrative style but also for attempting such a difficult subject requiring so many visual effects. The visual effects (by Red Chillies VFX) are marvellous and of Hollywood standard. Prosthetics deserve special mention. Rajesh Roshan’s music is a letdown, considering the canvas, cast and budget of the film. Although all the three songs do not appear boring in the film, their audio appeal is far less. Super-hit songs were the need of the film. Sameer’s lyrics are appropriate. Picturisa­tion of all the three songs (Chinni Prakash, Raju Khan and Remo D’souza) is eye-filling. Hrithik’s dance in the ‘Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram’ song is delightful! Salim-Sulaiman’s background music greatly heightens the impact of the drama and is first-rate. Action and stunts, choreographed by Tony Ching siu Tung and Sham Kaushal, are fantastic. They are worthy of huge applause and will be loved by the masses and kids. S. Thiru’s cinematography is outstanding. It makes the film a veritable visual delight. Sabu Cyril’s sets are excellent. Chandan Arora’s editing is crisp.

On the whole, Krrish 3 is a box-office bonanza which will write box-office history. It will do outstanding business and will emerge as one of the biggest blockbusters of Indian cinema. In spite of lack of comedy, romance and hit music, it has tremendous repeat value.

Released on 1-11-’13 at Regal (daily 4 shows), Eros (daily 4 shows), New Excelsior (daily 4 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Kinesis Films Pvt. Ltd. Publicity: very good. Opening: excellent (in spite of dull pre-Diwali day). …….Also released all over. Opening was terrific at places and very good at others.