StunnaKrypto Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Micah Lloyd Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

Janae Milner Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

bobbysing The talented team of Tigmanshu Dhulia and Irrfan Khan has missed only once in the past with CHARAS, which was in fact a decent engrossing watch released in 2004. Apart from that the team is known for its worth watching gems such as HAASIL (2003) and PAAN SINGH TOMAR (2010) which were also duly awarded with their deserving honors. So after the fine SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER (2011), I was excited enough to watch the talented duo together in its sequel, titled in a routine manner as SAHEB BIWI AUR GANGSTER RETURNS.But sadly the film turned out to be quite less impressive than expected with few great sequences in its first half and many unimpressive ones in the later leading towards a lackluster climax. To begin with the most questionable addition in the film, the title itself is not justified well since there is no gangster in the movie as such. The word GANGSTER has been forcibly imposed upon Irrfan Khan, who actually is from a local reputed family eager to take his revenge from the SAHEB. Continuing the story further (like a true sequel) we have the differently able SAHEB full of that old, hollow, seen before proud of his lost dynasty or power and the BIWI who is still the same man-eater lady, enjoying her new political status in a drunkard state. SBAGR begins with 3 brilliant sequences introducing the SAHIB, BIWI and GANGSTER played well by Jimmy, Mahie and Irrfan together. However this time the film doesn't entirely focuses upon the BIWI alone since we have another lady in the house too enacted by Soha Ali Khan. Moreover the sequel here is actually focused upon the men for a change, which might disappoint a few who wish to see some more skin-show taking a clue from its prequel. The interesting clashes within the characters begin once the intro part is over, followed by few enjoyable sequences like the one where Irrfan is interviewing a Politician watching porn on his laptop in the office itself. As a known feature of a Tigmanshu Dhulia project, all the impressive scenes are well supported by many brilliantly written lines too worth applauding.In short, it all progresses at a fine pace till the intermission as expected from the director and his talented cast. But unfortunately the same cannot be said about the film in its second half. The pace drops and the narration struggles to deliver the shocking twists due to many unwanted clichéd scenes like Jimmy standing up from his wheel chair, the feeble track of royal families having a nexus with the politicians and their locking up together in a room for few days. Further a mediocre item song surely puts you into a doubtful thinking mode as it is certainly not what Tigmanshu is known for in the industry as a path breaking director.Also I was really not convinced at all with its ineffective and debatable climax wherein Irrfan commits suicide despite of being the owner of so powerful or confident character and Jimmy gets caught by the police so easily despite of being highly influential in politics and underworld, a person who can also get one framed in a crime out of the country. The writing reduces the film to an average product in its final hour wherein it loses a substantial ground in terms of entertainment offered to the common man. The usual amusing shocks in the script of a Dhulia film are missing and the film once again ends on an open note making way for its another forced sequel in the near future.In visual term, SBAGR literally transports you into that regional ambiance of Raja Sahebs and their personal constituencies of the gone era superbly. The framework capturing all the grey characters in their various acts is simply outstanding and the background score compliments the look and feel of the film quite adequately. On the other hand, its soundtrack is strictly below average which clearly indicates that a Tigmanshu Dhulia film actually does not require any full length songs at all posing as hindrancesIn the performances department the film has a terrific act by Irrfan Khan who had a tailor made role perfectly matching his famous image on the screen. As a surprise Jimmy supports him well with a towering performance and it really feels good to appreciate him after a long gap (post many acts full of arrogance and attitude). Mahie takes it on right from where she left in the first part and is sure going to get many more fans on her side after this fabulous sensuous, drunkard act of a clever woman. Joining the trio, Soha too proves her caliber boldly by making her presence felt in the scenes crowded by a powerful cast.Raj Babbar impresses and Parvesh Rana (Big Boss fame) makes a confident debut as the newly appointed Inspector in the supporting cast. Though I felt his role didn't have any basic requirement, still the boy makes the best use of the opportunity given impressively. Posing as Jimmy's right hand, Deepraj Rana says a lot with his eyes only whereas both Anjana Sukhani and Mugdha Godse (as the Item Girls) remain wasted. Complimenting the talented ensemble, Rajeev Gupta as the politician rightly provides the much needs comical relief in his few sequences which can easily be called the highlight of the film undoubtedly. Concluding the review, SBAGR has an engrossing, intense first half and an average second resulting in more or less the same impact as generated by its prequel. Still it indeed can be rated as an enjoyable watch just for its characters and performances.

Achyuta Ghosh Of delusional maharajahs and erotic maharanis, twisted politicians and violent gangsters, of love in its many shades- Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster Returns is a worthy sequel indeed. Director Tigmanshu Dhulia presents a master class in direction, screenplay, cinematography, art and costume design and of course a story acted out in equal class by modern legends.Picking up from 2011's Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster's ending which left a crippled, wheelchair bound Saheb (Jimmy Shergill), an alcoholic, estranged Biwi and a dead Gangster (Randeep Hooda), this time round Saheb is looking for a second wife and unilaterally selects Ranjana (Soha Ali Khan)- daughter of rival politician Raja Birendar (Raj Babbar) arm-twisting his approval in the process. Ranjana though is in love with gangster Raja Bhaiyya (Irfan Khan) who has personal scores to settle with Saheb. Battle lines are drawn, and Saheb seems to be cornered. But of course Dhulia has a script of Machiavellian proportions- as in the first movie all the characters are brutal and scheming, so twists and turns galore will keep you guessing what the next move will be for each of the characters.While Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster Returns may not be as original as the prequel, Dhulia masterminds a coupe through a script that has oodles of dark humor. One would expect this is a Irfan Khan movie, but no, it is a Jimmy Shergill movie- it has taken him 16 years (since Maachis in 1996) to get a leading man status, and here as the cruel, calculating Saheb he is towering. Mahie Gills is delightfully caricatured as the alcoholic wife- looks ravishing and wears a sari as if it were made just for her. Irfan is chameleon like as usual – slips into the role of a gangster madly in love with élan, while Soha Ali Khan is adequate as the innocent Ranjana, the polar opposite of Mahie's character. The side characters are even more colorful- Raj Babbar is effective, Pravesh Rana is actually incredible as a corrupt cop, Rajeev Gupta as the idiotic, porn loving, tech-unfriendly chief minister just rocks.So there it is- not a big, bang hollow action flick, but a nuanced, intelligent thriller straight from the heartland of India. Romance, revenge, politics, adultery, jealousy all rolled in one fine effort. Watch it when in the mood for some quality cinema, you will come out smiling. 8/10

ahwaan_padhee Bolstered by the success and critical acclaim of Saheb Biwi aur Gangster , Director Tigmanshu Dhulia returns with its sequel with much royal paraphernalia, bedroom politics, dialogue-baazi and controlled fireworks. The battle for supreme power continues in the rural heartland with Dhulia splashing his sassy imagination of what happens behind the ramparts of the fading forts.To give you the plot line, the story moves on where the prequel ended, with the crippled,wheel-chair bound Saheb(Jimmy Shergill) and his alcoholic estranged Biwi/Chotti Rani,Madhavi(Mahie Gill)who is now an MLA , fighting off the assault launched by the revenge-thirsty but penniless Raja Bhaiyya (Irfaan Khan in top-form)whose fiefdom was snatched away by Saheb's ancestors.The fourth dimension to this plot is Ranjana (Soha Ali Khan) who is in love with Raja. Things take a turn when Saheb falls in love with Ranjana and arm-twists his father,Raja Birender(Raj Babbar) to agree to their marriage.Tigmanshu instills dollops of intrigue to this riveting drama with his dubious and vicious characters which marks his prolificacy as a film- maker and showcases his grasp on the socio-political dynamics.His brand of cinema emanates from the grassroots, the settings are vibrant yet dark, dramatic yet humorous. If there is the Saheb and Biwi playing the bitter antagonists, you also have the self-proclaimed ruler, Raja who accompanies the Biwi in the twin pleasures of bottle and flesh.Like the porn-crazy politician who is still illiterate in operating his laptop and relates himself to a Tomato! Tigmanshu finds humour in tragedy and satire in reality.He gives an ethnic and rustic feel to the dialogues, a life to the otherwise dilapidated royal mansion and an exposure to the etiquettes of the royal trappings. His inclination to poignancy is testimonized by the haunting score of 'Lag Ja Gale' which forms a metaphor to the characters' emotional hollow.SBAGR is indeed performances galore.Improving with every outing by leaps and bounds, Jimmy shergill is in dazzling form who portrays angst, his animosity towards his wife and the egoistic evil with perfect flourish. As the seductive Chotti Rani,Mahie not only looks ravishing in chiffons but also gives her character the required impetus to depict her yearning for love through her drunken drawl.Irfaan Khan is the Betaaj Badhshah of this enterprise!He displays an array of emotions with so much of conviction that you crave "once more ! once more!".Soha Ali plays her part with good degree of sophistication and she provides an interesting counterpart to Biwi's character. Raj Babbar is his usual charismatic self while Rajeev Gupta as the politician is superbly impressive!I go with 4 out of 5 for Tigmanshu Dhulia's Saheb Biwi aur Gangster Returns. As the game of chess gets chequered,we are in for an explosive interplay of love, lust and betrayal.Don't miss.

dineshprakash Score 5/10 Director Mr. Tigmanshu Dhulia has elaborated the minute's details of scenes very well but fails to develop a sensible an interesting story. Making an independent film is another thing but making a sequel always directly or indirectly pressurizes the Director. You always try to go beyond the credentials of its first part. Before interval the movie is good but second half is very slow and illogical. For example, a person intrudes in Raja Saheb house just like cakewalk. Once he parks his huge SUV in front of gate and jumps the boundary wall and enters the Haveli but no one notices him or his SUV. Even it happens in night but not digestible. If that person is brave enough to take the risk but unnecessary risk is stupidity. Two persons meet discreetly in night in an isolated place but prefer to keep the inside light of vehicle on. Characterization is bad. A person, who had born to take revenge, when there is strong reason to attack he prefers to suicide. Raja Saheb is strong enough to take care of Police and law and order, so framing him was of no use. Story is not good. Few scenes are good. Especially the scene where, Irrfan Khan comes to take the interview of chief minister. This scene is very fresh and hilarious. Dialogues by Mr. Tigmanshu Dhulia are fantastic. Performance wise Irrfan Khan as Indrajeet Singh is good. Jimmy Shergil as Raja Saheb is OK. Mahi Gill is fine. A scene when she goes to meet the Commissioner, when she comes out. The way she walks reveals the incident happened inside. That is very subtle and great. Soha Ali Khan is OK. Deep Raaj Rana as Kanhaiya is fine. An Actor who played the role of Minister R. Tiwari is impressive. Music by Sandeep Chowta is below average. Even they inserted an item song to lure certain audience but song in not impressive.