Rating: 2.5
Release Date: 19th June, 2015
Time: 154 minutes
Director, Writer: Remo D’Souza; Music: Sachin-Jigar
Starring : Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Lauren Gottlieb, Prabhu Deva, Dharmesh Yelande, Sushant Pujari
Most of the times, you have to have seen the first part before opting to go for a movie sequel. Well, most of the times! Written & directed by Remo D’souza, ABCD 2 (3D) doesn’t actually ask you to tick that box first but yes, you have to be a television junkie who keeps watching dance reality shows even on repeat telecast. The weathered formula for a TRP seeking episode is applied here utterly and unimaginatively to set the box-office ringing. And it succeeds, until just diving into stretching it too much to uphold your excitement on brilliantly performed dance-steps. More than calling ABCD 2 (3D) a dance film, I think we should settle it with the term ‘dance-drama’ considering it has dance and (Melo) drama both in equal and strong measure.
Inspired by the real-life event of Fictitious Dance Group of Nalasopara, Mumbai making an incredible journey of rising from the rag to winning an international dance show; ABCD 2 (3D) follows the spirit of dance as much as shown on TV these days. Suresh [Played by Varun Dhawan] and his group of underdogs have been evicted from a dance reality show for exact-replicating moves from a famous YouTube video. To regain the lost respect in the arena; now they must enter a World Dance Championship in Las Vegas but not before convincing Vishnu Sir [Prabhudheva] to coach the team. Rest is a ‘seen before been there’ series of dance performances in the championship mixed well with issues of different natures to make the ride tougher and trickier.
Remo D’souza doesn’t leave any stone unturned to make ABCD 2 (3D) a perfect dance film filled with its own share of dramatic subplots and emotional stories to make you go ‘Awww’ over. His mastery at choreographing dance numbers in the most astonishing way is undoubtedly at par any suggested standard, he also manages to take you through stunning visuals and spectacular cinematography but what lacks big time is the need of a good connecting story to cement all this. Subplots look placed precisely as any dance reality show does to mark a jump in TRP ratings. An unfortunate accident in rehearsal, missing mentor just before the main event, a severely ailing teammate and if this was not it, there are dedicated dance items to ignite your religious and nationalistic sentiments.
Film’s high points include your favorite ‘Dance India Dance’ stars sharing space on big screen, some genuinely well-conceived 3D shots and the hard works of its lead i.e. Varun & Shraddha Kapoor. If you could notice the camera shots not implying quick cuts on their dance, you will cherish the fact that both the stars are very dependable dancers too. Of course, Raghav Juyal aka Croc-roach, Dharmesh Sir and Punit Pathak of DID fame are there to beat your hearts faster than you think with much better and cleaner dance moves, still the Varun-Shraddha duo earn the deserving admiration. The cameos by Prachi Shah, Lauren Gottlieb, Pooja Batra and Tisca Chopra don’t do unjust.Overall, ABCD 2 (3D) can only be remembered as a 157-min long extended episode of Dance India Dance- a reality dance show on Indian Television. If you can watch brilliantly choreographed, well-executed & passionately performed dance numbers back to back, one after the other for nearly 3 hours, this should be your bet. Watch out for the amazing title sequence performed by Illuminati UV light Group of ‘India’s Got Talent’, the chemistry between the real dancing heroes, astounding
Overall, ABCD 2 (3D) can only be remembered as a 157-min long extended episode of Dance India Dance- a reality dance show on Indian Television. If you can watch brilliantly choreographed, well-executed & passionately performed dance numbers back to back, one after the other for nearly 3 hours, this should be your bet. Watch out for the amazing title sequence performed by Illuminati UV light Group of ‘India’s Got Talent’, the chemistry between the real dancing heroes, astounding choreography and an arresting camerawork!
Review Written By- Gaurav Rai
