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Simmba (2018)

Only hardcore cinema-goers and those who speak Hindi have heard of Simmba, an Indian Action/Comedy/Drama/Crime film possibly showing in a theater near you. It's well-intentioned but hopelessly tone-deaf and might play better in its home country… where its ideas may (or may not, I’ve never been there) come off as new and revolutionary. In North America, this is dated and even unintentionally sinister.

Sangram ‘Simmba’ Bhalerao became a police officer not to enforce the law, but to collect bribes and abuse his power. While relishing in his new position in a busy, crime-riddled precinct, he becomes infatuated with Shagun Sather (Sara Ali Khan) and immediately sets to impress her. He happily ignores the scolding stares of inspector Bajirao Singham (Ajay Devgn) while collecting millions from criminal overlord Durva (Sonu Sood) until a tragedy suddenly affects him personally.

A character who exploits the people he’s been charged with protecting creates natural interest. Will he realize the error of their ways? If he does, why? If not, it’s an opportunity to explore a black soul, to see how we resemble and differ from each other. The problem with Simmba is the way the redemption is executed.

Initially, this is a breezy picture. You never see crooks do anything truly nefarious. Everything’s played for over-the-top laughs with needlessly elaborate police takedowns which include slow-motion martial-arts kicks and slapstick. Your eyebrows begin to raise when Simmba begins approaching Shagun. He blackmails someone into terrorizing her until she calls the police and asks that he stay by her side for protection. It’s creepy but exists in a realm of its own. Good writing could save the day. 

Then, things take a wrong turn. Simmba learns someone close to him was brutally and repeatedly raped before dying of her injuries. Those responsible are criminals he's been working for. Now he understands his blind eye has a price.

The spark which ultimately burns this production down comes when you realize Simmba was made during a fit of juvenile rage. Ultimately, it isn’t interested in justice and flawed characters self-reflecting on their actions. Simmba's redemption can only be found through bloodshed. “Kill them all! Due process?! Pfah!” It’s particularly disturbing in the wake of India's WhatsApp fake news stories which lead to mobs lynching innocents. Ultimately, movies are just movies. They're not responsible for the actions of their audiences. Nevertheless, this is downright irresponsible.

This spinoff of the Singham franchise (which I admittedly haven’t seen) has charming moments. Ranveer Singh's charismatic even when his character's utterly despicable. Sara Ali Khan's likable, though she basically disappears halfway through. The dance and musical sequences (which thankfully go away once the rape plot comes in) are impressive. That second half, where it gives lip service to preventing violence against women by fully endorsing murder? It's simply unforgivable. (Original Hindi with English subtitles, January 20, 2019)