By otakuyassine3@gmail.com 
Himesh Reshammiya is back and he promises a bang on the big screen with his latest release Badass Ravi Kumar. The film, directed by Keith Gomes, brings Himesh as the fearless, stylish, full of swag Ravi Kumar. The movie is a spin off of the character from the Xpose franchise and the trailer went viral as soon as it was released. What with Himesh promising an 80s style entertainer. The first glimpse promised style, action, over-the-top drama and seeti-maar dialogues. So does the film stay true to expectations? Check out our Badass Ravi Kumar movie review to know what to expect.
Movie Review: Badass Ravi Kumar
Cast: Himesh Reshammiya, Prabhu Deva, Kriti Kulhari, Simona J, Sunny Leone, Johnny Lever, Sanjay Mishra, Manish Wadhwa, Rajesh Sharma, Anil George, Saurabh Sachdeva, Prashant Narayanan, Navneet Nishan
Director: Keith Gomes
Release date: 7 February, 2025 (in theatres)
What is Badass Ravi Kumar about?
Following their defeat in the 1971 war, Pakistan vows to destroy India by getting its hands on the nation’s top secrets. Carlos (Prabhu Deva), a notorious don and influential power maker who lives by the motto ‘paisa phenko, tamasha dekho’, is brought on board to acquire this information. To foil his plans, the Indian police assign the case to Ravi Kumar (Himesh Reshammiya). He is no ordinary officer; he is a fearless, badass cop, a true ‘son of the soil’, who will stop at nothing to protect his country.
What’s hot?
The trailer and songs of Badass Ravi Kumar have already set the stage for what to expect from the film. This masala entertainer takes us back to the beloved Bollywood of the 1980s, featuring an invincible hero who effortlessly defeats all evil. The film begins with a disclaimer advising viewers not to seek logic, setting the tone for an over-the-top, melodramatic experience. It transports you to the era of 1980s big-screen entertainers with its action sequences, groovy and addictive background music, retro-vibe songs, and whistle-worthy dialogues. Each punchline is followed by another, and within minutes, you’ll find yourself eagerly anticipating Himesh’s next line whenever he’s on screen.
Writer Bunty Rathore, who grew up in the small town of Meerut, India, was heavily influenced by the films of Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, and Mithun Chakraborty, and this influence is evident in his writing. The dialogues are consistently engaging and never tiresome. In one scene, a character played by the talented Saurabh Sachdeva even asks Ravi Kumar (Himesh) why he always speaks in dialogues instead of having a normal conversation. There’s also a clever spin on the popular “Hum tum mein itne chedd karenge ki…” dialogue from Salman Khan’s Dabangg, but I won’t spoil these scenes or complete the dialogues here. Go watch Badass Ravi Kumar on the big screen to catch these moments and many more gems.
Himesh Reshammiya delivers a sharp and effortless performance as Ravi Kumar. There is a thin line between class and cringe and Himesh ensures to not cross over to the other side with the perfect balance of swag and style. As the producer, writer, and actor of the film, he achieves what many Bollywood filmmakers and actors often struggle with—creating a quintessential masala entertainer that is truly paisa wasool. The film will appeal to both 80s and 90s kids and offers enough entertainment value for the younger generation. Additionally, the Himesh Reshammiya songs, which are popular across generations, add to the film’s charm. Badass Ravi Kumar features multiple chartbusters, including Dil Ke Taj Mahal Mein, Hookstep Hookah Bar, Tandoori Days, and more.
While Himesh shines as the star of the film, he is brilliantly supported by an ensemble cast featuring some of the industry’s biggest names. Prabhu Deva is a delight to watch as the main antagonist, while Johnny Lever and Sanjay Mishra provide light moments with their impeccable comic timing. Seasoned actors like Manish Wadhwa, Rajesh Sharma, Anil George, Saurabh Sachdeva, and Prashant Narayanan play crucial roles, with their casting perfectly tailored to suit their characters.
Kriti Kulhari (as Laila) exudes sensuality and effortlessly portrays an elder sister who harbors both hurt and hatred towards her younger sibling, while also nurturing love for Ravi Kumar. Sunny Leone (as undercover agent Nisha) dazzles with her dreamlike dance performances in the high-energy songs that are integral to this action musical entertainer. Simona J (as Madhubala) looks stunning on screen and has a Tripti Dimri vibe.
The film is shot in Muscat, Oman and captures the location beautifully. The grand production value makes Badass Ravi Kumar visually appealing.
What’s not?
Given the fantastic soundtrack of Badass Ravi Kumar and the fact that Prabhu Deva plays a significant role, I expected to see more of his iconic dance moves. In one scene, Ravi Kumar compliments Carlos, “You dance well,” and Carlos invites him to join in. I was hoping for a dance-off between the two, but unfortunately, that moment never arrives.
BL Verdict:
Himesh Reshammiya promised us an 80s style entertainer and that’s what he delivers. His style, swag and seeti-maar dialogues will keep you engaged throughout. The songs have a groovy vibe and the statement BGM stays with you long after the movie is over. The dialogues are the hero and all the characters deliver these to perfection for maximum impact. Watch Badass Ravi Kumar and revisit the 80s.
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