Jo Bole So Nihaal – A Sunny Deol film all through

Rating:- **

Sunny Deol and Rahul Rawail have given quite a few hit films together in the past. For the first time, JO BOLE SO NIHAAL balances the two extremes -- light moments and action -- and the result is akin to a roller-coaster ride. The film starts off with a bang, taking you to dizzy heights as it gathers momentum, although the journey towards the finale isn't as euphoric.

Nihaal Singh is an honest and simple cop in the Punjab police. Romeo (Kamal Khan) is an ambitious mercenary who moves from country to country, spreading terror. He uses Nihaal Singh's innocence to escape from the hands of the law. Nihaal is branded a traitor who helped a terrorist escape. He is suspended from his job, is ridiculed and his family faces the wrath of the entire village.

Meanwhile Romeo reaches New York.The F.B.I. is desperately looking for him. Also, according to intelligence reports, there is a possibility of an organization hiring him to assassinate the President of U.S.A.

However, there is one problem. Romeo is a man without a face. No one in the world knows what he looks like. No one except Nihaal Singh! The F.B.I. takes Nihaal Singh to New York to help them put an end to Romeo's nefarious activities. Nihaal Singh, on reaching New York, agrees to identify Romeo, but on one condition: He will first take Romeo to his hometown in Punjab to clear his own name, redeem his family honour and would then hand him over to the American authorities.

Director Rahul Rawail is an interesting storyteller. He merges the two diametrically opposite genres -- comedy and action – effortlessly.

In fact, it won't be wrong to state that JO BOLE SO NIHAAL has some of the best comic sequences witnessed in the recent times. And with Sunny carrying off these portions with élan, the viewer keeps asking for more.

From the writing point of view, the first half moves at a bullet's speed. It's fast paced and thoroughly entertaining; the masala is packaged with style, which has always been Rawail's forte.

But the post-interval portions aren't as absorbing. What’s more, the screenplay meanders on the same path [terrorism] that has been witnessed time and again. Besides, the narrative gets quite slow paced in this half. Yes, there are a few well executed sequences as also stunts, but the impact isn't as absorbing as the first half. The climax is another downer. You expect an exhilarating conclusion to the film, but the finale is so long-drawn that the impact gets diluted.

As far as execution is concerned, director Rahul Rawail merges form and content beautifully. The film bears a striking look all through [the locales of U.S.A. are well captured] and certain sequences have been handled amazingly well. Rawail, who has not attempted comedy many times in the past, handles this genre with effortless ease.

The dialogues [Sanjay Chhel] are amongst the highpoints of the enterprise. The witty one-liners and the comic dialogues are sure to entertain the viewers. Cinematography is excellent, with the spell-binding locales of U.S.A. making the film appear like a visual treat. Action is another area where this film works in a big way. The stunts are simply outstanding!

Music [Anand Raaj Anand] is quite alright. The songs fit in the narrative and even their placement is proper.

As for performances, Sunny handles the comic as well as action sequences very well. In fact, it’s he who carries the film on his broad shoulders. Kamaal Khan doesn't register an impact. He also needs to work on his dialogue delivery, so vital for any actor. Newcomer Shilpi Sharma doesn't get much scope. Nupur Mehta is expressive enough. Surekha Sikri is first-rate.