Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan is a family entertainer with a lot of Salman Khan, his swag, and signature action sequences. However, it offers nothing new and is a cringe-worthy watch that’s not suitable for those seeking a sensible storyline. If you are a die-hard fan of Salman Khan’s over-the-top action and melodramatic performances, then this film might appeal to you. Directed by Farhad Samji, the movie lacks any significant plot, logic, or sense, but is loaded with a lot of action, drama, and emotions.
Let’s start with the elephant in the room – that bizarre, unappealing long-haired wig that Salman is sporting. Was it really necessary for his character? Did it serve any purpose in the story? And most importantly, did it enhance Salman’s appearance? The answer is a resounding NO on all accounts. I found myself utterly repulsed by that distracting wig in the first half and couldn’t focus on anything else in the scenes. Luckily, we are spared from it in the second half.
KKBKKJ takes inspiration from the 2014 film Veeram, and revolves around Bhaijaan (played by Salman), who has devoted his life to raising his three younger brothers – Ishq (Raghav Juyal), Moh (Jassie Gill), and Love (Siddharth Nigam). He decides to stay single but when he meets Bhagyalaxmi (Pooja Hedge), he finds a new purpose in life. However, when Bhaijaan learns that Bhagya’s brother, Annayya Gundamaneni (Venkatesh Daggubati), is being threatened by their rival Nageshwar (Jagapathi Babu), who is non-violent, he takes it upon himself to protect them. Meanwhile, Bhaijaan and his brothers’ lives are in danger as Mahavir (Vijender Singh) wants to acquire the land that everyone worships Bhaijaan for.
With a runtime of 144 minutes, KKBKKJ is painfully long and drawn out. Even if the songs were removed, the story, which is already minimal, would remain the same, resulting in a much tighter film. The songs, although peppy, are so abrupt and loud that they could have been released separately as an album instead of being included in the movie. However, it appears that the filmmakers were more interested in showcasing everyone’s dance moves, resulting in the inclusion of as many as seven tracks in the film. Salman’s cringe-worthy dance steps are no longer enjoyable to watch. They don’t look good on screen, nor do they enhance his appeal.
Farhad’s weakness in direction is highlighted in KKBKKJ. The poor writing, particularly the dialogues that make Salman appear juvenile, cannot be ignored. Co-written with Sparsh Khetarpal and Tasha Bhambra, the film includes a poor joke about racism and blatant product placement for Pepsi. The never-ending one-liners lack impact and are full of cliches. Even the entry scene, where Salman jumps from a building, wearing his jacket mid-air, and exchanging witty banter with the villains before defeating them, is riddled with cliches.
However, the real hero of the film is V. Manikandan’s stunning cinematography. He captures the action sequences with great finesse, using creative camera angles to highlight the flying stunts, blood splatters, and slow-motion shots. These scenes are truly thrilling and entertaining. The metro fight scene just before the interval and the climax action sequence are the standout moments of the film. Additionally, there are five other well-choreographed fight sequences that will keep you engaged. One of the best fight scenes is the hand-to-hand combat between Vijender and Salman, which is a real adrenaline rush. Vijender’s debut performance as a villain is impressive and he looks dashing on screen.
Salman’s performance in KKBKKJ is nothing short of remarkable, showcasing his signature style of raw action and intense drama. He portrays his character with a delicate balance of vulnerability and strength, bringing a level of depth to the role. Despite the distracting wig, Salman manages to look good and exudes his trademark charm. His chemistry with his on-screen brothers is heartwarming and his comedic timing adds a touch of levity to the film. Venkatesh’s portrayal of Annayya is equally impressive, bringing a sense of calm to the chaos and commanding a strong presence on screen. The scenes between him and Salman are particularly endearing, and he holds his own even in solo scenes.
While Raghav, Siddharth, and Jassie get enough screen time to showcase their acting skills, Pooja Hedge fails to make an impact. Despite being paired opposite top male actors like Hrithik Roshan, Akshay Kumar, Prabhas, and Ranveer Singh in her earlier films, she lacks screen presence and fails to portray a larger-than-life heroine. In KKBKKJ, her chemistry with Salman is weak, and as a South Indian woman, she struggles to appear authentic. Her expressions seem forced and overdone, becoming increasingly annoying as the film progresses.
My main grievance with KKBKKJ is the underutilization of the three debutants – Sukoon (Shehnaaz Gill), Muskaan (Palak Tiwari), and Chahat (Vinali Bhatnagar). They each have a single dialogue in the initial 20 minutes and are absent for the next hour. It’s really disappointing because Palak exudes confidence, while Shehnaaz wins you over with her charm and innocence; Vinali is average in her limited screen time. Nonetheless, as an ensemble cast, the film radiates a festive atmosphere, with vibrant costumes, lively settings, and everyone having fun singing, dancing, and cracking jokes (and a few bones too).
In Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Salman’s character has a recurring line: “When the heart, mind, and body say ‘enough’, I say ‘bring it on'”. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the film. And be prepared, because a sequel is definitely on its way; there’s a hint in the end credits. Watch KKBKKJ and decide for yourself if it’s a fitting Eid Mubarak gift.
