Producer-director Anil Sharma returns with “Gadar 2,” a sequel amidst a galore of nostalgia notably backed by the original film’s most popular numbers, “Ghar aaja pardesi” and “Main nikla gaddi leke.”
The Old-World Cinematic Stylings of Gadar 2
Anil Sharma replicates his cinematic style from twenty-two years ago, resulting in a film resonating with a retro feel thanks to Monty Sharma’s background score and theater-like acting.
The protagonist, Tara Singh, enters a war zone in 1971 to liberate his son from a vengeful Pakistani general hell-bent on eradicating India. The film appears to adhere to its predecessor’s formula with adroit precision strikes, dramatic showdowns, and the hero’s indestructibility.
Tara Singh, played by Sunny Deol, displays his agility and power in the second half of the film, reminiscent of his iconic handpump-wielding avatar from “Gadar.”
With the reappearance of the infamous hand pump, albeit firmly rooted, we witness the continuation of Tara Singh’s unyielding prowess.
The first half builds up to the forthcoming showdown in Lahore. We watch as Sunny Deol singularly dominates the screen with his theatric performance. However, the ensuing tension around the war in the border area and the interpersonal conflicts constitute an intriguing backdrop.
Making a mark on the film, Tara Singh’s feats of strength command attention and importantly, belief. Swinging a massive hammer and using an entire horse carriage as an offensive shield against attackers, Sunny Deol convincingly portrays Tara Singh’s unparalleled might.
Indeed, “Gadar 2” basks in the us-versus-them rhetoric with the alien neighbours being portrayed as fiendish.
Gadar 2, in sum, is a delight exclusively for three types of viewers: Sunny Deol fans, Bollywood nostalgics, and those who still cheer for the age-old “hate thy neighbor” narrative. The film seemingly provides ample dosage for all these preferences.
