Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff’s on-screen chemistry shines as the standout feature in the Ali Abbas Zafar directed ‘action film by numbers’ – Bade Miyan Chote Miyan review.
Bringing two prominent action stars together is a task that is almost accomplished. The presence of star power indeed contributes to generating the necessary hype to a certain extent, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan checks off most of the boxes for delivering a commercial entertainer that appeals to the masses while maintaining a level of sophistication. However, does it truly guarantee an enjoyable experience at the cinema? The film boasts attractive actors, picturesque locations, high-energy action sequences, top-notch visual effects, and is helmed by a director of the caliber of Ali Abbas Zafar, known for directing blockbusters like Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai. Despite all these elements, the question remains: where is the element of originality?
Congratulations on surviving that film if you were able to do so. The plot, in which Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff attempt to safeguard ‘Karan Kavach’, India’s most lethal weapon created for defense against Pakistan and China, appears to have been borrowed from the 2022 movie Rashtra Kavach Om, featuring Aditya Roy Kapur.
A mix of Bollywood, Hollywood action movies
Returning to BMCM, the screenplay appears to be a mishmash of elements borrowed from Pathaan, Jawan, War, and Marvel movies. The film offers little that feels fresh or original, instead relying heavily on clichés and tropes that have been overused in Bollywood for quite some time.
Captain Firoz, also known as Freddy (played by Akshay Kumar), and Captain Rakesh, also known as Rocky (played by Tiger Shroff), are two highly skilled officers who were previously court-martialled. They are brought back into the Indian Forces under the leadership of Colonel Adil Shekhar Azad (played by Ronit Bose Roy) to protect the country from a masked enemy named Kabir (played by Prithviraj Sukumaran). Their mission is to retrieve a stolen and highly important ‘package’ called Karan Kavach from Kabir. Captain Misha (played by Manushi Chillar) and IT specialist Pam (played by Alaya F) assist them in this mission. Officer Priya Dixit (played by Sonakshi Sinha) is also involved in the mission, but she needs to be rescued after a series of events unfold. The movie, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, which has a runtime of 164 minutes, revolves around the transformation of friends into enemies and the battle between good and evil.
To be honest, I have given up on expecting logical plots in action films. Not that all of them lack substance! Suraj Gianani and Ali Abbas Zafar have written a storyline for BMCM that had the potential to be promising. However, the execution goes overboard, diverting the audience’s attention from the actual story. The film is filled with gunshots, bomb blasts, and scenes of planes and cars being set on fire. Every time there is a fire on the screen, the heroes make their entrance in slow motion, expecting us to be captivated without even blinking. Moreover, audiences have already witnessed intense action in movies like Pathaan, Jawan, and Tiger 3 last year. Replicating the same level of action in Bade Miyan Chote Miyan doesn’t necessarily make it an equally enjoyable watch. It becomes hard to believe how Akshay and Tiger, despite being injured, always manage to bounce back and fight with the same vigor. We hear one officer say, ‘Yeh jiss regiment se aate hain, uska naam hai Lions, aur iss regiment ka soldier jitna zakhmi hota hai utna zyada khatarnaak hota hai’ (The regiment they belong to is called Lions, and a soldier from this regiment is as dangerous as he is injured). What a cleverly placed dialogue!
In the realm of entertainment, the actioner is filled with humor that reflects the unique styles of its main actors. However, the search for genuine fun can lead to a bland experience. The screenplay by Ali Abbas Zafar and Aditya Basu is fast-paced, leaving no room for pause, reflection, or even a blink of an eye. Whether this is a positive or negative aspect is up to your judgment.
Actors save the day
BMCM is overflowing with style, especially when Akshay, Tiger, and Prithviraj grace the screen. Akshay’s action sequences are always a treat for the eyes, showcasing his expertise in the field. Tiger, on the other hand, brings a cool and humorous vibe to the duo, adding a touch of panache to the mix. Watching these two pack a punch in BMCM is truly worth every penny. And let’s not forget Prithviraj, who steals the show with his portrayal of the antagonist, delivering his lines with a commanding baritone. Ronit Roy also shines in his role, displaying his acting prowess and reliability. The female cast members are not just props, but rather have ample screen time to showcase their talent. Manushi impresses with her combat scenes, while Alaya brings a fresh perspective to her character. Sonakshi, unfortunately, has a limited role in the film.
Cinematographer Marcin Laskawiec beautifully captures the essence of Scotland, London, Luton, Abu Dhabi, and Jordan in some stunningly shot sequences. In addition, Julius Packiam’s background score effectively sets the mood when the loud blasts are not dominating the scene.
For action movie enthusiasts, whether the film is good, bad, or ugly, BMCM is worth watching at least once. The onscreen chemistry and bromance between Akshay and Tiger is truly impressive and translates seamlessly from reality to the screen. Every time Chote has to introduce Bade, he emphasizes, ‘My ego is bigger than my talent, their biggest talent is their ego’. If you can set aside your ego and watch this film without overthinking, it’s worth a try.
