Two weeks and counting and the effect still hasn’t worn off. There was never any doubt from the time his first film, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai (2000), hit the screens that Hrithik Roshan was destined for Bollywood greatness. Reports now suggest that the latest caper from Fox Star Studios is hurtling towards creating a new box office collection record — so far the figure stands at a whopping $41 million-plus while the production cost was mere $23 million. And the makers have the Roshans to thank for this booty blessing for there is hardly anything noteworthy in the film except for Hrithik’s good looks — no solid story line, great stunts, acting or direction. While the girls flocking to Indian theatres have yet to snap out of Hrithik’s heady spell, the men are turning a very pretty colour of green.

And he knows it. Oh, he knows it! Hrithik’s stylists have created a casually tousled, bouncy look for his locks with trendy gold highlights which further add to his demigod charms while his pout does the rest. The sad part is that in spite of spending nearly 15 years in the Hindi film industry, Hrithik has yet to hone his acting skills. Even when executing daredevil stunts, he takes care to keep the pout intact and turn at the correct angle to create the perfect silhouette. Luckily, for viewers, the shades he sports through half the film helps him mask his expressionless eyes. By the way, the stunts have been abundantly publicised in the Indian media by stating “no body doubles have been used. Majority of the stunts are done by the actor himself.”

If looks could kill, Bang Bang would be the weapon of choice!

Cinematographers Vikas Sivaraman and Sunil Patel try their best to cover the many loopholes left by director Siddharth Anand (Salaam Namaste, Ta Ra Rum Pum, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Anjaana and Anjaani) with their camera work. And while there have been an umpteen number of films made on cops-and-robbers in Bollywood, why the makers had to officially adapt the story from the flop Hollywood fare, Knight and Day, is simply beyond comprehension.

The film traverses through London, Prague and Shimla on the trail of a thief (Hrithik) who dares to steal the Kohinoor diamond to stop UK and India from signing an extradition treaty. A coincidental meeting with a bank receptionist (Katrina Kaif) helps him overcome the loneliness of the chase across the continents in search of the dreaded criminal (Danny Denzongpa) who ideates the heist, which is exploited by the Indian intelligence.

All that was needed was a brilliant marketing gimmick and it was Hrithik who conceived it. He did this by giving few young up and coming actors a list of dares: Ranveer Singh was asked to wave to his fans while driving on a busy street in Mumbai. He went a step further and got out of his car in the middle of the road and did a couple of jigs!; Shahid Kapoor, whose film Haider released on the same day, was dared to watch Bang Bang on the first day which Shahid not only did but also sent Hrithik a selfie while watching it; Aamir Khan was asked to remove the tape recorder from his PK poster which he did but remained fully clothed, and many more. All these gimmicks did manage to attract audiences while Hrithik’s drop-dead gorgeous looks did the rest.

Katrina follows suit. She looks good in bikinis, short skirts etc but acting, well that’s a different ball game altogether. Even she can’t seem to get it right after so many films. In Bang Bang, she takes off from where she left off in Dhoom 3! But there is absolutely no doubt that both Hrithik and Katrina are good dancers. Gape at him while he dances to Tu Meri and of course the title song as the end credit roll. But if you want a good story, sound direction and solid acting then head for Haider.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, October 19th, 2014