Unworthy namesake

When the evergreen screen characters Jai and Veeru, from the Bollywood classic Sholay, are the inspirations for the title of a film, the producers of that film should at least invest in a decent plot and cast stars who live up to the characters.

However, producers Shyam Bajaj and Narendra Bajaj, along with director Puneet Sira, only seem to have decided on making a quick buck.

Nothing new

Jai (Fardeen Khan), a cop who disguises himself as a mechanic, teams up with a small-time crook, Veeru (Kunal Khemu), to reach the underworld kingpin, Tejpal (Arbaaz Khan).

But Jai's identity is revealed to Veeru, who feels betrayed and accidentally shoots Jai. No prizes for guessing that Jai survives, after which the mission of his life becomes nabbing Veeru.

In the meantime, Tejpal bays for Jai and Veeru's blood. As such, the pair has to forget the hatred they have for each other to survive Tejpal's goons.

This is a film straight from 1980s Bollywood and is cramped with a dozen action sequences, a couple of dance and romantic numbers, over-the-top emotions, nonsensical car chases, a loud villain surrounded by sidekicks and a couple of bimbos who have no clue what they are doing in the story.

Sira made his directorial debut with I: Proud To Be Indian. Though the film wasn't great, one had expected better from him. But in his rush to taste box-office success, Sira fails miserably in Jai Veeru.

Fardeen Khan seems completely washed out in the film and doesn't even seem like he's trying to act.

He should never attempt to play a cop again in his career, as he is a complete misfit in such a role.

Khemu entertains by playing to the gallery and is the only redeeming factor in the film. Anjana Sukhani and Dia Mirza look beautiful but have nothing much to do.

Arbaaz Khan doesn't look the villain and is actually rather funny.

The forgettables

Bappa Lahiri's music is forgettable, except the Tenu Leke track, which, however, is borrowed from a private album.

Allan Amin's action sequences are sometimes decent and sometimes ridiculous. The only respite is that the film is just about two hours long.

Jai Veeru is nothing but a mundane Bollywood potboiler. In fact, I will not be surprised if the makers of Sholay sue the Bajajs for putting the names of Jai and Veeru to such tasteless use.

— Abdulla Mahmood is a UAE-based freelance writer