Directed by : Ranjit Tewari

Maa hamesha kehti thi ki, life mein backup ka bhi backup hona chahiye. 


Spoilers ahead.. 


Its mid 1980s, a time when we are told planes getting hijacked was becoming a norm. One such incident the film is based on when a RAW analyst Anshul Malhotra/Bellbottom (Akshay Kumar) is given the task to rescue 210 hostages. 

The film reminded me of 'Tashan' for the good reason that they both have brilliant catchy tone you could hear all day long, and for the bad reason that this is also not a good movie. But unlike that one, Bellbottom does have its moments. 

1st half has too much of Anshul's mother and love interest Radhika Malhotra (Vaani Kapoor), though you can argue that the reason he joins RAW is because of what happens to his mother. I have no idea how true this event is or any of what is shown in the movie. Even the way Anshul gets approached to work for RAW felt silly but I would still take that. Its the 2nd half specially the plans laid out that don't really happen, rather what we get is just a sandstorm staged amateurish looking action sequence where Anshul turns it around over the hijackers.

Akshay Kumar as always is good in a role that suits him a lot. Vaani Kapoor is merely for the looks here, I do love the twist at the end but then it would had worked better if she was more involved in the narrative. Lara Dutta is wonderful, the work done on her makeup and looks making her appear so close to Indira Gandhi and she very much gets the act right too. Adil Hussain is wonderful in his performance as expected. Among the hijackers actors, only Zain Khan Durrani leaves a mark, I had loved him in 'Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz too' (you should see the film if you are a romantic). 

BellBottom I would only remember for that 'Dhoom Tara' theme, it had great potential had they showed more of the planning or the heroics not limited to a one sandstorm which also they didn't pull out well. Instead director took the familiar route of melodrama, over the top patriotism with dialogues like 'Abki baar' (you know who I am talking of) and the never ending caricature way of showing the neighbouring nation. 


My Rating : 5/10