In a Dystopian future where a powerful criminal syndicate has seized control of the world, the downtrodden masses are on the brink of collapse. However, a group of courageous individuals is preparing for a battle to restore equality and justice, led by their fearless leader, Ganapath. But the question looms, where is Ganapath, and does he recognize his true calling? Can he become the symbol of hope that this world so desperately needs?
When Vikas Bahl’s “Ganapath” was first announced in 2020, it garnered significant attention. Dystopian sci-fi films are a rarity in Bollywood, making this project stand out. On the script level, “Ganapath” held immense promise. Regrettably, the film’s lackluster execution and subpar visual effects ultimately undermined its potential.
“Ganapath” introduces us to Guddu (Tiger Shroff), a carefree and self-absorbed individual with a charming Casanova-like persona. He works for John The Englishman (Ziad Bakri), who is determined to recoup losses incurred by his mysterious syndicate boss, Dalini. Unbeknownst to John, Guddu is destined to lead a revolution, and his transformation from Guddu to Ganapath is at the heart of the plot.
While watching the film, the performances of the lead cast managed to hold my interest. Tiger Shroff impressed with his impeccable action and dance sequences. However, his delivery of dialogues felt somewhat out of place, as if he had stepped right out of the set of “Munna Michael” to work on this film. The street-smart language and attitude occasionally felt clichéd. Nevertheless, his character evolves intriguingly in the second half, and Tiger’s portrayal improves. In the first half, whenever Tiger fell short, Kriti Sanon shone. Kriti, in the role of Jassi, a formidable lone warrior, delivered a captivating performance. The National Award-winning actress was convincing in action scenes and consistently strong in dramatic moments. Although her character lacked depth, Kriti left a solid impression. Beyond Tiger and Kriti, Rashin Rahman, who portrayed the visually impaired rebel, Shiva, also left a mark. His character was multifaceted, and the audience could easily sympathize with him. Unfortunately, the film suffered from a lukewarm first half. However, the second half manages to capture the audience’s attention until the subpar special effects come into play.
The glaring shortcoming of “Ganapath” lies in its amateurish and poorly executed visual effects. Setting aside Hollywood standards, the animation and effects in PC games from 2005 appeared superior to what “Ganapath” offered. The film’s special effects are deserving of the title “Worst VFX of Recent Times.” Furthermore, the movie failed to make use of its potential by providing little room for talented senior actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Jameel Khan, and Pramod Kadam, who were essentially wasted in their roles.
It’s disheartening to see a film with the potential to become a blockbuster fall short due to subpar VFX, a predictable storyline, and uninspired execution. Vikas Bahl, a director known for his earlier successes like “Queen” and “Super 30,” seemed out of his element in this venture. Adding to the disappointment, the film concludes with a tease for a sequel. One can only hope for better in the future to save us from the missteps of this dystopian world.
Rating: 3.5/5
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