From All the reviews on the web
Showing 12 Reviews
Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster-2 Movie Review
Ratings:3/5 Review By: Rajeev Masand Site: CNN IBN (IBNlive)
With 'Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns', director Tigmanshu Dhulia delivers another earthy cocktail of power games, bedroom politics, and palace intrigue. Only the stakes are higher in this sequel; the love is tainted from the start, and there's even vengeance thrown in for good measure. Indeed the film is gripping for the most part, if you're willing to overlook some convoluted stretches. Despite its many indulgences 'Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns' is ultimately an engaging watch. I'm going with three out of five for this fascinating tale of ambition and emotions that might have further benefited from tighter writing.Visit Site for more
Ratings:3.5/5 Review By: Taran Adarsh Site: Bollywood Hungama
In SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER RETURNS the gluttony for power is evident at the commencement itself and the venomous games these characters play add effectiveness to the premise. Rest assured, even if you haven't watched the first part, you are likely to absorb the story like a sponge because the raconteur is narrating a brand new account this time, while retaining the characters/setting of the first part. On the whole, SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER RETURNS is a twisted tale with a riveting first hour and inconsistent post-interval portions. This film may not be Tigmanshu Dhulia's finest work, but it has moments that prove his supremacy as a storyteller. Watch it for the intriguing characters and terrific performances!Visit Site for more
Ratings:3.5/5 Review By: Madhureeta Mukherjee Site: Times of India (TOI)
Tigmanshu Dhulia has created an intriguing world with rajas fighting for their kingship; politicians watching porn, gangsters sleeping with the enemy, and women unapologetic about adultery in the ballroom and bedroom. The setting and story is vibrant, dramatic, dark and humourous at the same time. Once again, he scores with his characters - intelligently sketched, with dichotomous layers - dark, brooding, loving and lustful. The editing and the screenplay in the second half lose steam, and the item number (courtesy Mughda Godse) punctures the pace. The climax passively surrenders without the satiating feel of bittersweet revenge. This may not be Tigmanshu's best, but it's a movie with more balls than most cinema can flaunt.Visit Site for more
Ratings:4/5 Review By: Raja Sen Site:Rediff
Despite finding a lot to individually love, I wasn’t very sold on the first Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, largely because of the way it stretched out, its uneven tone, and the fatal misstep in attempting to pay tribute to Saheb Bibi Aur Ghulam by mirroring the classic. The new film is much sharper, more assured, and, unencumbered by a classic to stand beside, a far better film. Like the crooners aware of which guests to keep away from the tipple and the aides who wait till the master’s lips touch drink before letting their own, it is clear Tigmanshu Dhulia knows what he’s doing. It has, in fact, never been clearer. Which itself is worth drinking to. Besides, how could one resist a film where even drawers opening and closing sound like guns being cocked?Visit Site for more
Ratings:3/5 Review By: Anupama Chopra Site: Star World (Hindustan Times)
Saheb Biwi aur Gangster Returns just becomes more and more over-wrought and eventually, unconvincing. The plot contortions stop being organic and instead start to feel forced as though Tigmanshu was simply moving pawns on a chessboard. The film’s length starts to weigh on you and an unnecessary item song doesn’t help much. By the end, I was no longer enthralled by the many twists. I was exhausted. Which is a shame because there is much to be enjoyed here. Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns doesn’t deliver the juicy thrill of the first film. But it’s worth watching for its characters and dialogue. I’m going with three stars.Visit Site for more
Ratings:3.5/5 Review By: Saibal Chaterjee Site:NDTV
A revenge drama with a dash of political satire and a double love triangle dovetailed into a dark thriller, writer-director Tigmanshu Dhulia’s follow-up to Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster is an intense, effervescent and eventually melancholic film. But Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns isn’t an average vengeance saga either. Its characters are a somewhat deranged bunch quite capable of doing the unthinkable without batting an eyelid. Nothing could be better for the viewer – thanks to its gallery of distressed deviants who will stop at nothing, the film is as full of surprises as the prequel was. The sequel is certainly better in one respect – the tragic climax is sharp, unfussy and marked by great sense of economy. As for the film as a whole, there can be no room for any doubt. It is recommended unequivocally.Visit Site for more
Ratings:3/5 Review By: Shubhra Gupta Site:Indian Express
The 'return' is a better film, but it stops short of being excellent. The smooth build-up in the first half leads to a confused, too-crowded second, which lets the film, and us, down. But while the going is good, it is all most gripping.It is the men who rule. Jimmy Shergill fits his part well, but it is Irrfan who rises above the film in a terrific performance : he is wounded poet and warrior, and passionate lover who is betrayed and betrays. He keeps us with the film in both its highs and lows.Visit Site for more
Ratings:3.5/5 Review By: Tushar Joshi Site:DNA
The films biggest asset is not the ensemble but the writing. The screenplay and dialogues are par excellence, giving the film a remarkable flavor, seductively drawing us into the lives of these characters. There is pace and agility to his effort, which struggles in the middle but catches up as the film nears its end. At home with the genre, Dhulia delivers a winner that not only entertains, but keeps you engaged with its riveting screenplay and top notch performances.Visit Site for more
Ratings:4/5 Review By: Ananya Bhattacharya Site:Zee News
There are times when you are so overwhelmed by a film that you need some time for it to sink in. This is one such film. Director Tigmanshu Dhulia’s ‘Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster Returns’ is nothing short of a miracle. It pervades the senses, lets you clutch your sides out of laughter, leaves you in tears, makes you gape at it in wonder – all in a mere span of 145 minutes. Tigmanshu Dhulia’s film is a call to the masses to return to the real India of the hinterland; the place where earthy, solid stories exist. Places where the women can unabashedly say, “Hume mard hi kyu milte hai... Shayar kyun nahi milte!” (Why do we get just men... why not poets!) Four stars from me for Tigmanshu Dhulia’s masterpiece. Do NOT miss this one!Visit Site for more
Ratings:3/5 Review By: Martin D Souza Site:Glamsham
Part I was a thriller, a magnificent plot essayed brilliantly by all actors and Tigmanshu had given no chance for the audience to squirm in their seats. It was brilliance from 'Take One'. One, Tigmanshu could not have envisaged a phenomenal critical approval of SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER and secondly, and more importantly, he would never have had thought of a sequel whilst making the first. Personally, I expected more from Tigmanshu. That he managed to pull all back within the last 20 minutes speaks volumes about his genius. He is one of our best filmmakers today. What he does in the end is leave room for Part III. And this I must say is a smart move.Visit Site for more
Ratings:---- Review By: Sneha May Francis Site:Emirates24By7
Despite a sluggish start, few unnecessary dances and some inconclusive twists, Tigmanshu’s royal heroes succeed in creating a thundering impact. ‘Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns’ is packed with exceptional performances. It’s hard to pick a favourite, with each actor giving their characters a remarkable twist. Tigmanshu ties it all up in an unexpected end, one that the purists might baulk at, but one that deserves applause nevertheless. This is a daring sequel, worthy of a watch.Visit Site for more
Ratings:4/5 Review By: Subhask K Jha(IANS) Site: FirstPost
Indeed the sequel to “Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster” moves far ahead in its packaging and technical finesse. The politics and dynamics of relationships trapped in an eerie game of one-upmanship are brought to flickering life in this scintillating sequel that mischievously secretes alcoves of unexpected temptations. The characters, in fact, are so savagely tragic that they end up looking comical in their self-appointed positions of septic ambitions. You really can’t like any of the people in Dhulia’s world of sex, politics and crime. Ask them if they care! SBAGR is a vivid, vibrant, dramatic, savagely tragic and unexpectedly humorous sequel with gutsy passionate performances. This is not a film you can fall in love with. Its drama of dreadful disenchantment doesn’t allow you the luxury of affection.Visit Site for more
