Race 3 review: Salman, stupidity, sex and stunts don’t make a movie

Right from the beginning, you end up wondering how film directors can afford to make such stupid films on such a humongous budget? (Salman Khan and Jacqueline fly like superman/woman and land straight in the midst of an action scene!) There may be only two reasons—either you really adore Salman Khan or you are actually stupid to the core.

Although there were no great expectations from the film, considering the fact the earlier films of the same franchise were no works of art. It was already known that the film will be centred around deceit, meanness, betrayal, sex and senseless stunts but in the times when some beautiful films are being made in Hindi, and different subjects are being taken up by filmmakers, a hope kindled that there might be something different.

But sadly, it's even worse than the previous Race films. These films thrived on good music plus suspense. But this one has a poor music, no suspense and dialogues are pathetic. For example- ‘Our business is our business, none of your business’. Or 'Kaise mili kab mili..ye poochhne ka na to tumhe koi haq hai na adhikar..’ (now, one has to presume that Hindi film directors don't know Hindi at all considering that haq and adhikar mean the same!)

And which world is the filmmaker talking about, where there is such endless money, booze, sex and weapons? Where do we get such a life and such linear people, all at one place?

And now a little about the story (as if there is one!). It’s about Shamsher Singh’s (Anil Kapoor) family, an arms manufacturer who has to leave India because he is falsely accused of supporting arms to terrorists. He settles in Al Shifah island and establishes his arms manufacturing business there. These filmwallahs have a very skewed concept of honesty. Shamsher does all illegal things but yearns to go back to his village and prove his innocence. Now, the question arises—is it morally alright to be dishonest and indulge in illegal criminal activities anywhere else in the world but not your own country?

Then the family feud, conspiracy and counter-conspiracy between Shamsher’s twin son and daughter (Saqib and Daisy) and his elder brother’s son, Sikandar (Salman Khan) flummoxes you. In between comes Sikandar's loyal friend and employee, Yash (Bobby Deol). And the story takes many twists and turns which are expected of a Race franchise.

There's no scope for acting, and the actors don't even seem interested in acting; Daisy Shah is hopeless, Saqib Saleem should be told that a good body may get you a movie, but is no alternative to acting as a skill. Jacqueline has never acted and shows no improvement either. Salman seems to be half-heartedly performing, nothing special can be said about Bobby Deol. Anil Kapoor is wasted.

It’s high time that Salman Khan started choosing the films that he acts in. He is popular undoubtedly, but it won't last long if he remains so foolishly blind to the roles he takes.

There are a few redeeming things though—the pole dance by Jacqueline. She could have also put a similar effort into her acting too. The choreography of the song, Ek baar selfish hokar dekho naa is commendable, Milind Gunaji in a cameo after a long time is a pleasure to watch and as a bonus both Salman and Bobby tear off their tees to flaunt their impeccable bodies. Unfortunately, all these things don't make a good film.

In the end, you feel frustrated with the senseless waste of money in grand locales and huge stunts. A simple question haunts—instead of wasting so much money, effort and time, why couldn't they just apply some brains and a little creativity (it's after all a creative field, isn't it?)

The film sums itself in one of its own dialogue—‘Kya karen, bewakoofi ka koi ilaaj nahi hai!’ (What to do, there’s no cure for stupidity!)