Ghayal Once Again

Ghayal Once Again is an Indian Bollywood action film that kick-started the year 2016 with a bang. Returning from a 16-year hiatus of the 'Ghayal' title, the film is a sequel to the 1990 super hit film 'Ghayal' and is both directed and headlined by accomplished Bollywood actor, Sunny Deol. The film also stars Soha Ali Khan, Om Puri, Aanchal Munjal, and Shivam Patil in substantial roles. It takes the raw action of the earlier movie to new heights while intertwining it with a story about the modern age's youthful energy and contemporary issues.

The plot centers on Ajay Mehra (Sunny Deol), who is a formidable and well-acknowledged investigative journalist. After the events of the previous movie where he is wrongfully imprisoned, Ajay is committed to unearthing the truth and championing justice. However, life isn't easy for our protagonist as he battles the internal damages of a tormented past and mental instability.

In a nod to the original movie's angry-young-man theme, Ghayal Once Again portrays Ajay as an embodiment of social rage, albeit it is age-weathered, more introspective, still seeking justice for the unheard voices of society. You can't help but admire Sunny Deol's power-packed performance that convincingly puts across this transformation.

In the backdrop of his struggles, we get introduced to a fearless group of young individuals. Our group of young protagonists accidentally lands themselves in hot water and ends up capturing a crucial murder on camera. When the murder footage gets entangled with a powerful business tycoon, they find themselves marked by dangerous goons. When Ajay learns of their predicament, he takes it upon himself to protect them, leading to an inevitable collision between him and the powerful antagonist.

Soha Ali Khan portrays Rhea, a psychiatrist and Ajay's close friend, who supports him through his mental health challenges. She brings a tender touch to the story contrasting greatly with the high-octane stunts and fights. Then there is Om Puri, cast as Ajay’s father figure, who provides new depths and dimensions to the film with his performance. Aanchal Munjal, Shivam Patil, and the rest of the young cast do a commendable job, adding layers of modern relevance and youthful zest to the storyline.

What truly sets Ghayal Once Again apart from many other action films is its well-crafted and heart-pounding sequences. They are not only jaw-dropping but they also serve the storyline rather than just being there for the sake of action. The chase sequences, fights, stunts are meticulously crafted and are sure to keep the audience glued to the edge of their seats. Under Deol's seasoned direction, the action set pieces are maximized for thrill and suspense. His distinct style, reminiscent of the Bhardwaj brothers' cinematography, gives the right amount of intensity without making them feel over-the-top.

Ghayal Once Again is strengthened by its background score that goes hand in hand with the narrative, escalating the experience tremendously. The screenplay while harks back to the original Ghayal, is sans the melodramatic dialogues that were synonymous with the movies of that era. Instead, it’s well written, and the soulful use of silence in certain scenes even outdoes dialogue delivery.

Despite its intense action, Ghayal Once Again doesn't lapse into the realm of senseless violence. It manages to maintain its central theme of vulnerable individuals rising against the suppression of the mighty. Furthermore, it subtly engages with pertinent and contemporary issues like police corruption, business politics, the invasion of privacy, the rise of citizen journalism, which are thought-provoking.

In a nutshell, Ghayal Once Again is an adrenaline-packed action drama that stays true to its roots while adapting to the changes in cinema over the last two decades. It brilliantly merges the old world charm of Sunny Deol’s fiery persona with the audacious spirit of millennial activism, making it a worthy sequel in the Ghayal franchise. It's a film that'll keep you engaged and entertained, and once again makes you root for the underdog, proving that in the face of grave adversity, courage and righteousness can surely emerge triumphant.