Sep 6, 1999

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Even Shah Rukh's energy fails to lift Badshah.

By Anupama Chopra

Movie: Badshah
Director: Abbas-Mustan
Cast: Shah Rukh,Twinkle Khanna, Amrish Puri and Rakhee

When in trouble, call Badshah, say the hoardings. But when Badshah is in trouble, who is he going to call? Brothers Abbas-Mustan's attempt at a comic thriller, with Shah Rukh Khan playing a private detective, is a tiresome film. It doesn't have the comic-book charm of Khan's earlier attempt at comedy, Duplicate. Badshah is a pot-pourri of dull gags, scenic songs, flashy clothes and hi-tech gadgets that are unfortunately no patch on the James Bond goodies they so desperately try to ape.

But there are a few good moments: Khan spoofs his own catchline from Baazigar (the last film he made with Abbas-Mustan) and intentionally hams in places. Johnny Lever, Bollywood's comedy staple, playing the detective's sidekick has some funny lines but there isn't enough to last three hours. In fact, the script seems improvised on the sets. And all of Khan's ferocious energy and Twinkle's rapid-fire costume changes can't sustain interest.

Abbas-Mustan are masters of the low-brow thriller. Khiladi, Baazigar, Soldier were slickly engaging. But in Badshah, the comedy overtakes the suspense. This emperor has no clothes.

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