Power Star Pawan Kalyan stars in Ustaad Bhagat Singh, directed by Harish Shankar, with Sreeleela and Raashi Khanna as the female leads. The film was released as a Ugadi special. Let’s see how it is.
An orphan boy named Chinna is adopted and educated by a village teacher, Chandrasekhar Rao (K.S. Ravikumar). He later grows up to become ACP Ustaad Bhagat Singh (Pawan Kalyan). The story revolves around how he takes on a terrorist (Ajmal Ameer) and a power-hungry politician (R. Parthiban), and stops their dangerous plans. The roles of Leela (Sreeleela) and Shloka (Raashi Khanna) are also important in this journey.
Performances: To begin with, Pawan Kalyan looks his absolute best in Ustaad Bhagat Singh, sporting a sharp and refreshing makeover that stands out among his recent films. He impresses with his ease in dance, brings back his trademark comic timing in a few scenes, and delivers a strong emotional performance in the pre-climax. As expected, he also shines in the high-voltage confrontation scenes, playing perfectly to the gallery.
R. Parthiban, cast as a cunning politician, adds intensity to the film with a solid performance and a menacing screen presence. Meanwhile, K. S. Ravikumar appears in a key role as a teacher who rises to become Chief Minister. Moving away from his usual comic roles, he delivers a composed and mature performance.
Technical Aspects: Compared to Gabbar Singh, this film may feel underwhelming for some. The first half is slow and lacks memorable moments. The film doesn’t fully engage throughout. The background score by Devi Sri Prasad is missed, and Thaman’s music is just okay. The villain could have been shown in a more powerful way, and some scenes feel overdone. The production values are good, and so is the production design. The story is nothing new and looks pale in many areas. Harish Shankar’s writing shines only in a few areas.
Analysis: The film carries huge expectations due to the Gabbar Singh combo. Harish Shankar once again delivers moments that please fans. The second half is packed with mass elements and fan-centric scenes. Vintage songs featuring Pawan Kalyan are a major highlight and create enjoyable moments.
The Old City sequence especially gives strong Gabbar Singh vibes and is a treat for fans. Twists in the story, especially in the second half, work well. For a star like Pawan Kalyan, one would expect a very powerful and impactful introduction. From there, the film slowly builds up, but it doesn’t feel as engaging or exciting as it should.
Also, fans clearly miss Devi Sri Prasad’s background score in this film. At least if the portions he worked on were retained, it would have helped. The film lacks that Ustaad blaze in its score, and the absence of his music changes the overall feel.
Additionally, a powerful actor like Parthiban could have been presented in a much stronger and more impactful manner. Compared to Gabbar Singh, this film may feel underwhelming for some. The first half is slow and lacks memorable moments. The film doesn’t fully engage throughout.
Verdict: Overall, Ustaad Bhagat Singh is a passable entertainer with good mass moments that will be liked by fans. Pawan Kalyan’s energy and vintage style stand out, but the routine story makes it an average watch.
Bottom Line: Only for fans
Ustaad Bhagat Singh Rating: 2.5/5
