They’re back! The blockbuster duo is back but, this time, with a different genre even though they are separately old hands at it. Rohit Shetty made his debut with an action flick, Zameen years ago while Ajay Devgn was known as an ‘action actor’ for the longest time before he earned the tag of ‘versatile actor’.

So, with Singham, they’re back with their first love – action. Expectations are naturally high, making you wonder if they will match up. But you leave the auditorium content that they indeed delivered what they had promised. Not that the film doesn’t have its flaws. But since you’re served up a true Indian paisa vasool entertainer. you’re in a forgiving mood.

The film might experience a slight hitch in the North and South regions since the first half includes a Marathi dialect and has a distinct Maharashtrian flavor. But when presented with something novel, audiences are usually very accepting. And that’s what happens when you’re watching this film.

Rohit Shetty has been known as “the Golmaal director” ever since each of the three Golmaal films surpassed the popularity and collections of the previous one. But, surprisingly, some of the comic scenes in Singham lack the Shetty-punch. But look at it this way. When Shetty makes comedy flicks, action takes a backseat. This time, he’s here to entertain you with an actioner, not comedy.

Comparing Singham with Dabangg… Dabangg starred Salman Khan, who is known for his signature antics whereas Ajay Devgn has his own signature style. Both actors are masters at their own craft. Both movies have an earthy touch and both films reflect the good-versus-evil theme of yesteryear movies. That’s it.

Singham is set against the backdrop of the outskirts of Maharashtra-Goa. The protagonist, an honest police officer Bajirao Singham, lives in a small village canned Shivgad. He battles injustice and prejudice in his own way. Jaykant Shikre, a mafia don in Goa, is convicted and is supposed to regularly report to Shivgad police station. Shikre decides to send one of his goons instead. But Singham asks Shikre’s the henchman to bring in his boss.

A fuming Shikre decides to teach Singham a lesson. His canny planning and band of goons finds Singham in Shikre’s territory, where the mafia boss makes Singham’s life a living hell. Singham is supported by his girlfriend Kavya and fellow police officers. How Singham fights this battle and how good triumphs over evil forms the crux of the film.

Though the story is far from unique, what works here is the screenplay and the dialogue, which keep you on the edge of your seat. The masterstroke is the treatment of the film by the director. One scene blends perfectly with the next and the momentum builds rapidly. The film also has a perfect beginning, with an honest police officer taking his own life. The way this sequence has been treated can even melt even the stony hearted. This is followed by the introduction of the villain and, cut to, you’re introduced to the savior, Singham.