Gold - it's the perfect formula to rake in the moolah while tugging on our heartstrings and emotions that tend to run high on the independence day. Draw on the backdrop of the British rule in undivided India, build on the long cherished dream of flying the tricolour high, and if you are able to pull off the idea of beating the rulers at their own game, director Reema Kagti has the ingredients of the perfect blockbuster.
Alas, Gold isn't what it was destined to be, and its trump card, Akshay Kumar, is indeed its weakest link. Playing Tapan Das, an eccentric Bengali man who is the national hockey team's joint "manager" with the aforesaid long cherished dream, Akshay Kumar misfires and goes completely off target. It's a poorly sketched character to start with as there isn't any explanation offered about his credentials to be the manager. Further, he simply fails to get under the skin of the desired protagonist and keeps it superficial. He has made no attempt to even brushing up the Bengali language and keeps calling younger lads "Dada". Very poorly researched, culturally speaking. Constantly hamming, he actually grates on the nerves, especially in the second half, where his role becomes more of a caricature. Gold isn't "Chak De India", the envious nature of a few players hasn't been crafted well. Why the coach of the team played by Kunaal Kapoor doesn't accompany the team to the Olympic venue remains unexplained. Gold fails to evoke the pathos associated with the partition too - it's a huge opportunity lost. The music is forgettable - the best score was the national anthem playing in the end, predictably.
In conclusion, Gold misses the mark by a mile. Akshay Kumar should have taken a leaf out of Aamir Khan's "Secret Superstar" and passed on the mantle to the younger and hugely talented cast, instead of being in the forefront.
Alas, Gold isn't what it was destined to be, and its trump card, Akshay Kumar, is indeed its weakest link. Playing Tapan Das, an eccentric Bengali man who is the national hockey team's joint "manager" with the aforesaid long cherished dream, Akshay Kumar misfires and goes completely off target. It's a poorly sketched character to start with as there isn't any explanation offered about his credentials to be the manager. Further, he simply fails to get under the skin of the desired protagonist and keeps it superficial. He has made no attempt to even brushing up the Bengali language and keeps calling younger lads "Dada". Very poorly researched, culturally speaking. Constantly hamming, he actually grates on the nerves, especially in the second half, where his role becomes more of a caricature. Gold isn't "Chak De India", the envious nature of a few players hasn't been crafted well. Why the coach of the team played by Kunaal Kapoor doesn't accompany the team to the Olympic venue remains unexplained. Gold fails to evoke the pathos associated with the partition too - it's a huge opportunity lost. The music is forgettable - the best score was the national anthem playing in the end, predictably.
In conclusion, Gold misses the mark by a mile. Akshay Kumar should have taken a leaf out of Aamir Khan's "Secret Superstar" and passed on the mantle to the younger and hugely talented cast, instead of being in the forefront.