The pre-release trailers and songs made it clear that R… Rajkumar would be yet another mass masala movie. With a director like Prabhu Deva on board, the movie couldn’t have been anything else, as he has proven his might in this genre thanks to Pokkiri, Wanted and Rowdy Rathore. 

But, a few scenes into the movie, you might exclaim “Oh No. Not Again” as the happenings and the plot of the movie are something that you would have seen in countless movies. 

‘Romeo’ Rajkumar lands up in a village ruled by two rival groups and sides with one among them. He goes about his job using lot of brawn and a bit of his brain too. He puts on his dancing shoes for a couple of songs and falls madly in love with Chanda typically in the most filmy manner possible. Post the interval, he has to vanquish the bad guys and fight his way out to get Chanda’s hand.

Baby faced Shahid Kapoor is bearded this time and totally submits to the demands of this brash commercial entertainer. He dances like a dream as always, fights with a lot of energy and spunk and puts on his typical loverboy reactions. He even pulls off lame dialogues such as 'Pyaar Pyaar Maar Maar' and 'Silent Hoja Varna Mein Violent Ho Jaunga' with a lot of confidence and machismo. R… Rajkumar is whatever it is thanks solely to Shahid’s efforts and sincerity. He deserves some success.

Sonakshi Sinha’s character comes across as someone with the intelligence of an infant in the early part of the movie. She indulges in some ‘dialogue baazi’ in the second half and looks luscious as ever. Directors around, have to give her more characters like the one in Lootera. 

Sonu Sood, Ashish Vidyarthi play the villainous comedians / comic villains yet again and ease their way through their roles. The cherubic Charmy Kaur dances for the famous ‘Gandi Baat’ number and bounces around as best as she could.

Asrani tries to tickle the funny bone and fails. Mukul Dev as a loyal ruffian is convincing while the late Srihari plays Taaka, a shallow villain straight out of a typical masala flick. 
 

Sandeep Chowta's BGM score is incredibly loud and is jarring. Whenever Sonu Sood is on screen, we get to hear a loud resonating male scream, as if someone is stuck at the bottom of a deep pit. 

Pritam’s numbers - Gandi Baat, Saree Ke Fall Sa and Dhokha Dhadi are a treat to the senses. Shahid’s supple moves and Sonakshi’s presence are added clinching factors for these songs, which have been used as fillers by Prabhu Deva in his predictable screenplay. Mohana Krishna’s visuals are raw and rustic, as per the demands of the film. His work in the stunt scenes along with the stunt choreographers, is admirable.

Prabhu Deva has been credited with the story of the movie but you wonder what’s so unique about it. The same routine has been done by so many directors and heroes all over the country. He has flourished as a remake director on many occasions but has faltered big time with Rajkumar, supposed to be his original creation!