When I watched Hrithik Roshan’s Agneepath released in 2012. I did not write more about the film. But, “If you love over-the-top, unapologetic Bollywood, with its heart right in place, then Agneepath is for you.” I felt the same while watching Super 30. Which is why I say – If you love over-the-top, unapologetic Bollywood, with its heart right in place, then Super 30 is for you. I have no words to describe the brilliance of Hrithik in Super 30.
Hrithik Roshan is a boss man. Despite playing a role you cannot identify him in ever, Hrithik sails through with his sheer integrity to the character of a Mathematician Anand Kumar. He is the magic that binds the movie together, despite its flaws. To all those who believe that Pankaj Tripathi was better suited as Anand Kumar will realise the larger than life impact that Hrithik brings to the character of this non-descript math genius from Bihar who became world famous by transforming poor kids with high IQ into educational icons.
In one scene, Hrithik enters the makeshift hostel of his students who are dejected and are planning to give up their dream of cracking the IIT entrance. For the next 10 minutes, your jaw drops as Hrithik unleashes one of the most inspiring performances seen on screen in recent times.
The most important thing is that he does not look Bihari, does not talk Bihari, and yet, he kills it by his towering screen presence and extraordinary acting talent.
“ये अमीर लोग अपने लिए खूब चिकना सड़क बनाए…हमारी राह में ऐसा बड़ा-बड़ा गड्ढ़ा खोद दिए. लेकिन यहीं वो साला सबसे बड़ी गलती कर दिए. हमको छल्लांग लगाना सिखा दिए. जब समय आएगा तो सबसे लंबा और सबसे बड़ा छल्लांग हम ही मारेंगे.”
For a man who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth – to portray the struggle, the helplessness, the angst, the rage, the grit and the resolve of a man born with zero privileges in life – that is the greatness of Hrithik Roshan. And which is why he one of the greatest actors of Hindi cinema. While there are several over the top moments in the film, what shines through is the sincerity of the director to the vision of Anand Kumar in helping the poor achieve impossible dreams.
This is the heart and soul of Super 30. Like Hrithik, music composers Ajay-Atul are absolutely fantastic in creating a loud yet inspiring background score that keeps your eyes transfixed on the screen. The film is fast paced, yet in a few scenes, it drags, especially the entire Holi sequence and a section of the climax.
As we got out of the theatre, my friend remarked, “I wish Mrunal Thakur was given more screen time in the movie.” I agree with him. She is sharp, smart, and has an absolutely heartwarming screen presence. She will go places.
As for director Vikas Bahl, this will be his second blockbuster after Queen. That is a given. In the film, there is a sequence where Hrithik says, “आपत्ती से अविष्कार का जनम होता है” Nobody represents the essence of these lines better than the director himself.”