Shehzada

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*Shehzada* (2023) is an action-packed, over-the-top film that serves as a full-fledged Kartik Aaryan vehicle. The movie is a frame-by-frame remake of the 2020 Telugu hit *Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo* (directed by Trivikram Srinivas), starring Allu Arjun, and it sticks to the same storyline and character arcs, including the same dramatic, larger-than-life tone.

The film follows Bantu (Kartik Aaryan), a street-smart lawyer who learns that he was switched at birth with the son of his father's boss. While his biological family, the Jindals, are rich and powerful, Bantu has been raised by a working-class clerk, Valmiki (Paresh Rawal). Despite the betrayal, Bantu doesn't seek revenge but instead infiltrates the Jindal household to solve their personal problems, reuniting his parents (Manisha Koirala and Ronit Roy), helping his lazy foster brother Raj (Ankur Rathee) find his purpose, and taking down a mafia-connected businessman. Along the way, he also finds time for a romance with Raj’s fiancée, Samara (Kriti Sanon).

*Shehzada* is an unapologetically loud and melodramatic film, much like the original. It leans heavily into exaggerated action sequences (complete with slow-motion shots) and larger-than-life portrayals of the rich, who are shown as naive yet generous, while those beneath them are depicted as conniving. Bantu, the hero, is a zen-like figure who forgives those who wrong him and helps everyone see things from his perspective, all while being a skilled fighter. This style of storytelling is reminiscent of the action-heavy, melodramatic films of the '70s and '80s, and while the formula may feel dated, it still manages to entertain in its own right.

Kartik Aaryan dominates the film with his energetic performance, effortlessly delivering witty one-liners and executing action scenes with confidence. He enjoys every moment of the role, and his charisma is evident throughout. Kriti Sanon, as the love interest, has little to do other than look beautiful, and while she shares a decent chemistry with Kartik, her role is fairly superficial. Paresh Rawal, as always, is dependable in his portrayal of Valmiki, while Manisha Koirala and Ronit Roy bring some much-needed gravitas to the film.

The music is a letdown compared to the original's catchy tunes, with the songs in *Shehzada* being just average. However, the film is undeniably a showcase for Kartik Aaryan, whose performance holds the entire narrative together, making it a fun ride for his fans. If you're a fan of mass entertainers filled with melodrama, action, and a hero who can do it all, *Shehzada* might just be the perfect film for you.