Movie Review: Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns

Tigmanshu Dhulia is not your everyday, politically correct, formulae-driven, star & glam-obsessed film-maker.  Right from Haasil, he served notice and demonstrated intent that his brand of cinema would embrace raw, edgy, hard-hitting, quirky story-telling with deadly twists and turns that could invite gasps of joy or shock – depending on which side of the divide one was.  Saheb, Bibi aur Gangster 1 & Paan Singh Tomar showcased clearly where he was coming from.  Both were successes, critically & commercially, hence SBAG II is likely to invite both excitement and expectation.

The sequel begins where the last one ends.  Dhulia takes it forward leveraging a fascinating narrative of a degenerate tale of a royal clan playing out their bizarre lives in the badlands of the UP heart land, where rules are meant to be broken and morals are a mockery, where dignity, wantonness and dark humour are strange bedfellows and lust and hatred tango in style in bedrooms and the royal halls, where deception, Intrigue and  politics laced with explosive passion, rules.

Superbly choreographed this lacerating tale of seductive corruption, is well played out by its talented cast of lead actors. Jimmy Shergill, as the restless, helpless, wheel-chair chained Saheb exuding regal command, is excellent.  So is the neurotic, wanton, drunken Biwi, Mahie Gill and the petite, svelte & the stylish second biwi, Soha Ali Khan. The showpiece however remains Irfaan Khan’s, Indrajeet.  Playing a gangster, the consummate actor unleashes every emotion in the sub-text with such stunning accuracy and impact, that he takes your breath away!

Dhulia and his team strikes again!  Bravo! Kudos! Way to go!