Akshay Kumar had a lackluster year in 2022. With Bachchhan Panday, Samrat Prithviraj and even Raksha Bandhan failing to impress audiences, it’s no surprise that Akshay Kumar’s latest release of the year has him pulling all the strings to make Ram Setu strike a chord with moviegoers. Unfortunately, Ram Setu the slow script along with Akshay Kumar’s monotonous act and poor visual effects drown this ship deeper than the ocean.
The story
Akshay Kumar-featured Ram Setu tells the story of an atheist archaeologist, Aryan Kulshreshtha, who is the man for the job when it comes to identifying the origins of Ram Setu. After being banished by the government and humiliated by the public for questioning Lord Rama’s existence, Akshay Kumar’s Aryan is hired by a private company to find out if Ram Setu was man-made or naturally.
When Aryan begins to investigate the bridge, he crosses various tides, literally, and uncovers the true mystery surrounding popular belief.
Tiring first half
Also starring Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha, the film’s first half is tedious and gives you a deja vu of Akshay Kumar’s satirical comedy, Oh my God. Challenging beliefs, religion and God with a mix of comedy and emotion are all elements that made the 2012 film a big hit, and that’s probably why the winning formula was used in Ram Setu as well. Unfortunately, a pulled script makes the first half of the film fall flat and look more like a snoozefest.
An intriguing second half
Much to Akshay Kumar’s relief, the film managed to revive itself to some degree in the second half. Ram Setu picks up pace and becomes engaging and intriguing towards the film’s climax, but until then the plot becomes too predictable to surprise audiences.
Cast performance
Akshay Kumar has again achieved a “deshbhakt” in Ram Setu. While there’s nothing you wouldn’t have seen him do earlier in any of his movies, there’s no denying that Akshay Kumar instills a sense of cultural belonging in you.
Jacqueline Fernandez doesn’t have much to do in the film. With numbered scenes in the first half, Jacqueline Fernandez is used more as a nice kick for Akshay Kumar than actually having substance for her character.
Nushrratt Bharuccha plays Akshay Kumar’s wife in the film. Also a history teacher by profession, she serves as the moral police for Akshay Kumar who firmly believes in God.
Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha look stunning in any setting they appear in, but sadly, that’s about it. Their characters lack depth and have not been given any standout scenes to prove their mettle.
The only character that is well written and leaves an impact is ‘AP’ by Satyadev Kancharana. The mysterious character makes sure you wonder who he is from time to time. It’s no surprise that the audience applauded her character just before the end credits.
Music
The background music of Ram Setu is energized and helps you stay awake whenever you feel sleepy. The anthem “Jai Shree Ram” and “Om Namah Shivaay” are tracks that stay with you even after the movie ends.
Direction
Abhishek Sharma from Tere Bin Laden the celebrity takes the filmmaker’s chair for this action-adventure flick. Although he strives to make it a compelling watch, Sharma, who also takes credit for writing Ram Setu falls far short. With a loosely written narrative, the director fails to give you enough drama to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Globally
Throughout the movie, Akshay Kumar keeps saying “I only rely on facts”, unfortunately it doesn’t translate that way when it comes to the movie itself. Ram Setu deviates and loses its trace by becoming a preachy melodrama rather than an action-adventure film.
Ram Setu It might be the perfect Diwali treat for ‘Lord Rama’ bhakts, but this 2 hour and 24 minute snoozefest is one you can sit down to if you prefer good cinema.
