Shivaay Is Bollywood's Version Of Liam Neeson Starrer 'Taken'

Movie Review: Shivaay
Produced by: Ajay Devgan
Directed by: Ajay Devgan
Cast:
Ajay Devgan
Sayesha Saigal
Erika Kaar
Abigail Eames
Vir Das, Girish Karnad and Saurabh Shukla (Special Appearances)
Markus Ertelt
Robert Maaser

Summary: Shivaay is Bollywood's version of Liam Neeson starrer Taken (English-language French action thriller film directed by Pierre Morel) where a father goes after human traffickers who have abducted his daughter.

What works well?

Shivaay is full of breathtaking action from the word go. Right from the titles to the climax it is full of thrill. Watch it if you have the stomach to digest intense action sequences, car chases, cliff hanging stunts and lot of guns and blood.

Production value is excellent, movie is shot in the Himalayas and in Bulgaria. Special effect for the action and adventure sequences are first rate. Ajay Devgan's direction is good. The script and screenplay is apt. Background music is good and couple of songs are decent.

Ajay is practically in every frame of the movie, he has done a great job in both action and emotional sequences. Sayesha Saigal and Erika Kaar have done a decent job in their roles. Abigail Eames as Ajay's daughter is perfect. Other foreign/ German actors(Markus Ertelt, Robert Maaser) haven't got many dialogues but still they have played their part well. Saurabh Shukla, Girish Karnad and Vir Das have very short and limited roles.

What doesn't work well?

Length of the movie is almost 3 hours, there is a opportunity to shorten few sequences to make it more crisp. Also, some action sequences are probably not a comfortable watch for younger children. Emotional scenes between Ajay-Erika and Ajay-Abigail don't get much room as action takes over most of the 3 hours. Comic touch is missing as well.

Recommendation: Don't miss it if you have a liking for action movies. It is a perfect Bollywood roller coaster action ride and Devgan has got it right this time.