Film: Antim: The Final Truth

Cast: Salman Khan, Aayush Sharma, Mahima Makwana, Sachin Khedekar, Mahesh Manjrekar

Director: Mahesh Manjrekar

Rating: 2.5 Moons

It's Salman Khan vs Aayush Sharma in Antim: The Final Truth, the official Hindi adaptation of the Marathi hit film Mulshi Pattern. Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, the film traces the story of a small-town youngster named Rahul, who transforms into one of the most dreaded gangsters of Pune. Highlighting the plight of farmers, Antim's stage is set with Rahul's father Satya (Sachin Khedekar) being tortured by the land mafia. His transformation from an unemployed and helpless youngster to a dreaded gangster happens after Pune’s most influential goon Nanya Bhai (Upendra Limaye) takes him under his wing.

RECOMMENDED READ: Salman Khan told me ‘just because I’m your brother-in-law you’re getting scared; if Shah Rukh Khan called you, would you have said no to him?’: Antim actor Aayush Sharma

Inspector Rajveer Singh (Salman Khan) enters the frame as the antidote to Rahul's evil deeds. He knows his job well and takes up the responsibility of cleaning up the city infested with social evildoers.

Larger than life entry sequences, sleek action scenes, whistle-worthy dialogues are now inseparable elements of any 'Bhai' film but Antim differs, in a better way. Laced with typical Bollywood masala, Antim confronts socio-political issues like land grabbing and the plight of farmers forced to work as indentured labourers in their own land due to the rise of multinationals and power-hungry politicians.

Director Mahesh Manjrekar feels the pulse of the audience and delivers what they want and expect from a big-ticket, massy entertainer. The main problem in Antim is the lack of emotional depth. Mahesh, who has directed some hard-hitting and realistic films in the past that dealt with grave issues, makes characters in Antim larger-than-life and less believable. Subplots like Rahul's and Manda's romance fails to evoke empathy against the helpless farmers.

While Antim can be billed as A Salman Khan Film, more than the superstar, it is his protégé Aayush's film. The one-film-old actor manages to put up an earnest act and stands his ground during face-offs with his brother-in-law. Salman, who returns as a cop, has pulled off a subtle and underplayed performance in Antim. Though flawed, Salman's character Rajveer will be remembered by Bhai fans.

The overall feel of Antim will remind you of Sanjay Dutt's Vaastav, once again directed by Mahesh. None of the songs in Antim are hummable and can be forgotten easily. The background score is loud on your eardrums. Excessive use of punches and slaps are boring and superficial. Mahima Makwana as Manda has been wasted and her love story with Aayush doesn't enhance the story.

Antim is nowhere close to Mulshi Pattern but it does stay true to what it promised - wholesome entertainment for Bhai fans.

PeepingMoon gives Antim 2.5 Moons