Director: Arbaaz Khan
Starring: Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Arbaaz Khan, Vinod Khanna, Prakash Raj, Deepak Dobriyal

Salman Khan is come back in second outing as Chulbul Pandey aka 'Kung-Fu Pandey' in 2012's much-awaited and much-talked about sequel 'Dabangg 2.'

How different is this one from the original?. For someone like me who didn't find the first part worthy of all the accolades it won, Dabangg 2 was slightly better or more tolerable to be precise (one reason for that is its shorter duration). Barring that, Dabangg 2 is no different from the current breed of films made in Bollywood (Read 'Rowdy Rathore', 'Khiladi 786' and now 'Dabangg 2').

But from a Salman Khan fan's point of view and going by the flavor of the season, which is High-Octane unrealistic action, 'Dabangg 2' has blockbuster written all over it!

Now, that's not because the exceptional storyline or award winning performances or Arbaaz Khan's kickass directorial debut. It's purely because of Salman Khan. His fans love him as the naughty and haughty Chulbul, who can make bad guys drop like flies, break into an impromptu jig and make female journalists swoon with his cheesy one-liners.

Remove Salman and you'll have an average film that offers nothing great to take home - neither power packed dialogues nor memorable scenes. It is Salman and his antics that carry 'Dabangg 2'. Again, Salman has not given an earth-shattering performance but simply brought a part of his real self on screen - which is a little weird, somewhat unrepentant and a lot entertaining and that's exactly what makes Dabangg 2 click for Salman fans.

The directors casting him have understood that and are busy cashing upon the star's persona.

Talking about the story of the film, Chulbul Pandey has got transferred to Kanpur, where he lives happily ever after with his wife Rajjo (Sonakshi Sinha), a more friendlier and loving father (veteran actor Vinod Khanna) and his reformed brother Makkhi (Arbaaz Khan). And just like the story of any film of this genre, the hero is a superhuman, who can beat the shit out of the goons without a single crease on his shirt, super cop Chulbul Pandey is busy doing the same. Soon, enters the real villain Bacha Singh (Prakash Raj) and his brothers Genda (Deepak Dobriyal) and Chunni. The two gangs confront each other in some gravity defying action sequences and rest is the story of Chulbul's revenge. It's hatke! Isn't it?

Salman who looks fitter than ever, can sleep walk through Chulbul Pandey's character now. His goofiness in making prank calls to his father, playing volleyball with prisoners adds comedy to the film. What more? This time Pandey Ji's belt automatically dances to 'Hud Hud Dabangg.'
The biggest plight of the villain of a Salman movie is that he is the villain in a Salman film. So, an actor of Prakash Raj's cadre is wasted here, despite the man giving his 100 percent. 'Singham' gave him better scope of performing. Irrespective of how dangerous the villain is, you don't care. What you care about is - when will Salman take off his shirt! And voila! He does it!
Sonakshi Sinha is as bad as she was in first part and her subsequent acting ventures. Neither she can emote nor look good. Vinod Khanna is endearing and his once chaotic chemistry with his son Chulbul has now transformed into a bond of love and care. Arbaaz Khan as the simpleton Makkhi who now idolizes his elder brother. But Makkhi's character is lying far away from being explored in the second part. And that can be blamed to the fact that Arbaaz was also directing the film. Here we would add, choosing Dabangg 2 with Salman as the lead was the best decision Arbaaz has taken in his entire career. About Deepak Dobriyal - we wonder how he agreed to such a shallow character. Mahie Gill's special appearance looks forced.

Musically, Dabangg 2 is far behind in comparison to the melodious Dabangg. Only 'Bajaye Pandeyji Seetee' and Kareena's item number are the saving grace. Cinematography is average and so are the dialogues. Nothing that you'll remember one you are out like the cult 'Itne chhed karunga' dialogues from the first part.

So, as I said in the review of 'Dabangg', it's not a good idea to review and rate a Salman Khan film. I still maintain that. However, the Bollywood masala film is not bad as a one-time weekend watch if you are a true-blue Salman fan.