Dabanng was a sensational hit in Bollywood that set the cash registers ringing. Now all eyes are on Osthi, its Tamil remake, where STR plays the lead role enacted by Salman Khan in the original.Who said a police story had to predominantly revolve around an honest cop totting a gun fighting baddies with vigour.Osthi is the story of a Robinhoodesque cop who fights injustice in his own way. With Dharani of Ghilli, Dhool and Dhil fame wielding the megaphone, the movie begins with pace from the word go and the vim and vigour is prevalent all through. Check out the Tamil movie review – ‘Osthi’
Story
It is a typical commercial cop story that we grew-up watching. A corrupt cop Osthi Velan (STR) fears for nothing. He robs from Peter and pays the Paul. More a man with Robinhood heart, Osthi Velan is man of style and substance. He has love-hate relationship with his half brother Balan (Jithan Ramesh). There is love for him in the form of Neduvali (Richa Gangopadhyaya), daughter of a drunkard (VTV Ganesh). They get attracted to each other and fall for each other. There is an enemy to Osthi Velan in the form of Boxer Daniel (Sonu Sood). Both cross swords with each other. Osthi Velan’s life has a doting mother (Revathy), a funny cop Selvam (Santhanam) around him.
Velan in his typical style fights the evil designs of Boxer Daniel. He rips off his shirt towards the climax to win over him in a battle. Eventually the commercial venture ends with victory for Osthi Velan and he holding the hands of his beau.
Performance
It is Simbu’s special all the way. The multi-faceted actor has preferred to play to the gallery. He as Osthi Velan, a funny cop with his own antics is entertaining and energetic. He fights, dances, romances and preaches too in his imitable style. No way one can compare Simbhu’s performance with that of Salman for STR has rendered it in his own style. His diction of Thirunelveli dialect is good. Especially when he rips his shirt towards the climax fighting Sonu Sood is a special treat for his fans. The young actor has impressed one and all.
Sonu Sood does what he did in the original. At places funny and at places a clichéd villain on Tamil screen, Sonu Sood leaves his impression in a movie which otherwise is occupied by STR’s massive screen-presence. He unlike villains in other Tamil films, get a major share on screen and utilize the opportunity well. He gyrates and speaks from the bottom of his belly at places.
Richa Gangopadhyaya, who is in a fine form thanks to stupendous success of her recent release Mayakkam Enna, consolidates her place strongly with Osthi. As Neduvalli, who is in love with Osthi Velan, she is homely yet glamorous. Her expressions and emotions are apt and Dharani extracts the best from his heroine. Santhanam emerges true champ with his one-liners that tickles our funny-bones. He is at his crackling best and scenes involving him and Simbu bring the roof down with laughter. Jithan Ramesh enacts the role played by Arbaz Khan as step-brother of Osthi Velan. He gets a meaty role to play and there is romance for him too. He is energetic too onscreen.
Dharani’s choice of star cast is apt for the masala venture. The likes of VTV Ganesh, Thambi Ramiah, Nasser, and Revathy add pep to the proceedings with a performance that is straight from their heart. The highlight being Bollywood sexy-siren Mallika Sherawat appearing for an item number equivalent to Munni Badnam.
Technicalities
Director Dharani and cinematographer Gopinath share an excellent rapport and the two proved their mettle in their earlier outings. Osthi is no different and the duo makes it an engrossing affair where the camera compliments the racy story line. The major fillip for the movie is S Thaman’s exemplary music. The pacy and racy songs are the major plus for the movie. The songs especially the title song Osthi rendered by Baba Sehgal, STR’s rendition of cute pondatti and Kalasala Kalasala makes everyone break loose.
Dharani’s dialogues are crisp and Nellai Tamil fits the story well. Dharani has ensured that its racy commercial all through with no compromise. There are songs, fights, romance, comedy sequences and no dull moments all through.
Verdict:
An honest remake, Osthi is entertaining if you forget all logic and go inside cinema-hall for sheer joy, fun and entertainment. Dharani and STR have pulled it off in style. Three cheers to Osthi team.
