The first collaboration between Sunil Shetty and Ashok Honda resulted in a barbarous action film, Anth. Rakshak was their second outing which could not match the stupendous success of Anth. However, this picture is better since it is supported with superior direction as compared to Anth. In addition, Rakshak also has a plot which is more engrossing than Anth. If the film falters, it is because of some of the acting instead of the direction.
Rakshak's storyline consists of a coma patient who is being targeted by some criminals. After he is rescued and revived, we come to know that Raj Sinha was once an Assistant Superintendent of Police. He was leading a positive life with his family members. He visited his village after giving his police course exams. During his stay, he is notified of his success in those courses. Basically, he becomes an ASP of the Indian Police Force. Unfortunately, all this happiness is short lived. Sadly, wicked situations and vicious circumstances were against Sinha and his family members. It can be predicted that the antagonists of Rakshak are responsible for all the toil and trouble in Raj's colorful life. However, the entire chain of events demonstrating this are well shot in the first half. The audience's attention is hooked for the most part. After watching a great deal of cruel injustice, the audiences (especially Sunil Shetty fans) will be interested to witness Sunil's character ferociously ravage the antagonists of this film. In other words, the audiences will rarely find a boring moment in this film.
Ashok Honda's direction is good but it somehow falters towards the climax. The entire climatic battle is overdone and there is an overdose of violence. The first half is mostly coherent with occasional snags like a few crude comedy scenes. For instance, the "Kuchi Kuchi" game between Sunil and Karishma is a little crude after the first couple times. The second half is much more serious with a lot of bloodshed which will entertain action lovers.
Action sequences are mostly well choreographed by Ravi Dewan. Dewan is more creative this time without shying away from the brutality. However, the pre-climax action scene is preposterous. This is because Sunil is able to dodge numerous bullets while driving a jeep which never gets damaged until the end. I understand that 1990s action sequences are not meant to be very realistic. However, such an action scene with an increasingly unrealistic invincibility factor is just too hard to digest.
Anand Milind's music is very refreshing having some of the biggest hits of the 1990s. Shehar Ki Ladki is a catchy song with hilarious lyrics. The song went on to become a chartbuster in the mid 1990s. Kuchi Kuchi was added eventually and it also quickly climbed the charts. It's lyrics are fun and it has also been well shot like Shehar Ki Ladki. Sundara Sundara was the second biggest hit in the film, it is a decent song. The sensuous song, Uee Yaa, is forgettable. However, Zaalim Jahan Berang Hai has superior lyrics. It manages to successfully show Sunil's transformation from a weakened person to a brawny individual. The song contains some training montages which are a delight to watch.
Sunil Shetty shines in the action sequences but is far from outstanding in other aspects of acting. In the 1990s, he was never great at emoting. However, he was surprisingly better at emoting in some of his previous films like Takkar. In Rakshak, he overacts terribly in some important scenes. For example, when he has to weep inconsolably for the demise of his loved ones, he hams it up. In addition, when he has to shout at the villains, he hams it up. In some of his other flicks, he would not overdo such scenes. In short, he was much better in films like Mohra, Takkar, and Gopi Kishan. Karishma Kapoor is hilarious in some scenes but it was depressing to watch her innocent character meet such a tragic demise. She looks ravishing and does her role with ease. Sonali Bendre has a shorter role but she is excellent here. Instead of simply being a bimbette, she gets a role and she is convincing as the lady doctor. Aruna Irani is successfully convincing as Sunil's mother in the film. Raghuvaran appears menacing but he overdoes his villainy. Mushtaq Khan is good in a few hilarious sequences during the first half of the film. He is also decent as the caring friend of Sunil after Sunil's family is wiped out. Alok Nath is convincing as the police commissioner who encourages Sunil to join the police force. Deepak Shirke is alright as the corrupt cop. The rest provide decent support.
On the whole, Rakshak is engrossing but it could have been better. It's action and music stand out the most. However, Sunil's underperformance and some inconsistencies largely affect the film. Despite this, Rakshak is still worth a watch because it keeps you hooked mostly.
Rakshak's storyline consists of a coma patient who is being targeted by some criminals. After he is rescued and revived, we come to know that Raj Sinha was once an Assistant Superintendent of Police. He was leading a positive life with his family members. He visited his village after giving his police course exams. During his stay, he is notified of his success in those courses. Basically, he becomes an ASP of the Indian Police Force. Unfortunately, all this happiness is short lived. Sadly, wicked situations and vicious circumstances were against Sinha and his family members. It can be predicted that the antagonists of Rakshak are responsible for all the toil and trouble in Raj's colorful life. However, the entire chain of events demonstrating this are well shot in the first half. The audience's attention is hooked for the most part. After watching a great deal of cruel injustice, the audiences (especially Sunil Shetty fans) will be interested to witness Sunil's character ferociously ravage the antagonists of this film. In other words, the audiences will rarely find a boring moment in this film.
Ashok Honda's direction is good but it somehow falters towards the climax. The entire climatic battle is overdone and there is an overdose of violence. The first half is mostly coherent with occasional snags like a few crude comedy scenes. For instance, the "Kuchi Kuchi" game between Sunil and Karishma is a little crude after the first couple times. The second half is much more serious with a lot of bloodshed which will entertain action lovers.
Action sequences are mostly well choreographed by Ravi Dewan. Dewan is more creative this time without shying away from the brutality. However, the pre-climax action scene is preposterous. This is because Sunil is able to dodge numerous bullets while driving a jeep which never gets damaged until the end. I understand that 1990s action sequences are not meant to be very realistic. However, such an action scene with an increasingly unrealistic invincibility factor is just too hard to digest.
Anand Milind's music is very refreshing having some of the biggest hits of the 1990s. Shehar Ki Ladki is a catchy song with hilarious lyrics. The song went on to become a chartbuster in the mid 1990s. Kuchi Kuchi was added eventually and it also quickly climbed the charts. It's lyrics are fun and it has also been well shot like Shehar Ki Ladki. Sundara Sundara was the second biggest hit in the film, it is a decent song. The sensuous song, Uee Yaa, is forgettable. However, Zaalim Jahan Berang Hai has superior lyrics. It manages to successfully show Sunil's transformation from a weakened person to a brawny individual. The song contains some training montages which are a delight to watch.
Sunil Shetty shines in the action sequences but is far from outstanding in other aspects of acting. In the 1990s, he was never great at emoting. However, he was surprisingly better at emoting in some of his previous films like Takkar. In Rakshak, he overacts terribly in some important scenes. For example, when he has to weep inconsolably for the demise of his loved ones, he hams it up. In addition, when he has to shout at the villains, he hams it up. In some of his other flicks, he would not overdo such scenes. In short, he was much better in films like Mohra, Takkar, and Gopi Kishan. Karishma Kapoor is hilarious in some scenes but it was depressing to watch her innocent character meet such a tragic demise. She looks ravishing and does her role with ease. Sonali Bendre has a shorter role but she is excellent here. Instead of simply being a bimbette, she gets a role and she is convincing as the lady doctor. Aruna Irani is successfully convincing as Sunil's mother in the film. Raghuvaran appears menacing but he overdoes his villainy. Mushtaq Khan is good in a few hilarious sequences during the first half of the film. He is also decent as the caring friend of Sunil after Sunil's family is wiped out. Alok Nath is convincing as the police commissioner who encourages Sunil to join the police force. Deepak Shirke is alright as the corrupt cop. The rest provide decent support.
On the whole, Rakshak is engrossing but it could have been better. It's action and music stand out the most. However, Sunil's underperformance and some inconsistencies largely affect the film. Despite this, Rakshak is still worth a watch because it keeps you hooked mostly.
