There was a time when even the minutest of the blows on the faces were faked on screen, but today in the generation of new-age technicalities and realism, film makers are trying every stone unturned to make sure their films look real on screen. Whether it is about the gritty stunts or the dhoom dhadaka maar-dhaad, the action in films have grown eons more than what it ever used to be.
And this year was no less, as our heavyweight biggies turned up to action in a year that missed the Emperor of Action, Salman Khan. From Shah Rukh Khan to Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar to Saif Ali Khan, every B-town A lister tried their hands at action and came out with flying colours. Let’s take a recap.
Race 2:
Jacqueline Fernandez and Saif Ali Khan in a still from Race 2
This film set new benchmarks when it came to technology and gizmos, but not just that, Race 2 was instrumental in putting forward a new trend when it came to stunts and action sequences. From speedy adrenaline pumping car crashes, to road accidents and even that nonsensical monkey jumping that Saif did around the entire country of sorts, Race 2 had a little too huge of action dosages, but one that sustained throughout the film. Our pick would be the fencing sequence between Jacqueline and Saif that was marvelously well picturised!
Commando:
Vidyut Jamwal in a still from Commando
Technically, Commando was the best in the Action department as kalaripayattu and martial arts trained Vidyut Jamwal took up the reins of carrying forward with action stunts, so dynamic and real that it kind of made way for a rather loose plot line. He did everything from jumping, diving, killing, thwarting and wooed the audiences with his power as he single handedly shouldered the film that reigned high on action and enthusiastic stunts. Could you ever imagine a guy as tall and brawny like Vidyut slip through a car’s open window. He marveled at it and how! We were left open mouthed for days.
Shootout At Wadala:
John Abraham in a still from Shootout At Wadala
History has it that Balaji has always done justice to films that required masaledaar action, especially the gangster flicks. And when you have a sculpted hot bod like John doing it and baring it all for you, you can just gape at it for hours. John’s Manya Surve act was stellar but what made it even more praise worthy was the calculated stunt sequences which did add to the masala but wasn’t typical nonsense either.
Boss:
Ronit Roy and Akshay Kumar in a still from Boss
Another action comedy that was high on wham bam dhishoom dhishoom and less on storyline, much like its other contemporary action comedies, Boss fueled up Akki’s Khiladi image a step further. Touted as the Action Kumar all his life, it was time that Akshay claimed the throne that was rightfully his ever since he started off, although all his other contemporaries decided to go the action way. And he did, like a Boss!
Chennai Express:
Shah Rukh Khan in a still froom Chennai Express
When Shah Rukh decided to venture into tod-for masala action with Chennai Express, he raised many eyebrows and caused many faces to frown but after he wonderfully pulled off his action packed Rahul, for once (after those romantic Rahul sagas), he could well shun away his critics. From smashing body-builders to car being bombarded, Chennai Express was more a Rohit Shetty film than Shah Rukh’s, but SRK did fit in well with the character. Plus, the ceetees that followed when he used his kulta to thrash the jeep was oh-so-appreciative.
Krrish 3:
Hrithik Roshan in still from Krrish 3
When you make a superhero flick on the lines of a Spiderman or a Superman, you do need to realize that you are about to go a step further. And Rakesh Roshan understood those logistics beautifully as he gave Krrish the power to fly, jump, run and cause wonders. And not just that, with Krrish 3 he reinforced even more action by having mutants play a pivotal part in the story. Kaal was menacing and the action sequences were well choreographed. Thanks to a wonderful visual effects as well.
Dhoom 3:
Aamir Khan in a still from Dhoom 3
Aamir had promised the eyar to end with a Dhoom and that’s what exactly happened. Although Dhoom 3 was not a usual Aamir Khan film which triggers the intelligentsia, the action packed stunts and maneuvers added to the slickness of the franchise. Suave and charismatic, Aamir’s Sahir might not have been caught to rob as beautifully as Hrithik did in Dhoom 2 but the way the bike moves were used, the races were scened was impeccable. Plus, they had a bike-cum-hovercraft-cum-submarine to do everything else to make sure Dhoom 3 hit the bull’s eye.
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