With low downs like Tees Maar Khan, Khatta Meetha, Kambakht Ishq, we started believing growing age is killing the performance of our Akshay Kumar, but the thought goes for a leave now.  ‘Patiala House’ comes with a bang that Akki is as younger as he was in Namaste London, Waqt and Jaan e Mann. Besides his star performance, Patiala House has a superbly done script, Punjabi tadka-marke music, emotionally moving scenes, thoughtful direction and everything that is different from any typical jugaad Hindi film.

The film’s thriving points are many. A youth’s passion for cricket, a veteran’s hate for the ‘goras’, Father-Son conflict, Father-Son love, Romance, Emotion, Expectation, Tears, Smile, Target, Success. Around all the selling ups, there’s almost no loo break. You like it, first half. You love it, second half!

This is London’s Southall area where Gattu (Akshay Kumar) runs a grocery shop. He dreams to become a fast bowler for the British cricket team, but his father Gurtej Singh Kahlon (Rishi Kapoor) has a strong hatred against the goras so he doesn’t want his son to play for them. Gattu almost decides to give up his dream to stand up to his father’s wish. Then he meets the girl of his life and things seem to change from then. Now will his dream be fulfilled or he will decide to go straight. All the answers you get as the film matures to its end.

The story is simple but it has a magnetic appeal. The father-son relationship has been nicely portrayed by the two actors. The romance between Akshay and Anushka has a little room, but they truly make a wonderful on-screen duo. The character of Akshay Kumar is unbeatable. He loves and respects his father but he also dreams that counter his father’s expectations. The scene location, camera works are all done great. But there are things that you can’t but question. Some of the characters are not introduced well and we do not understand if Rishi Kapoor dislikes the goras so much then why he doesn’t leave the country and settle in India.

Past the hiccups, Patiala House is a wonderful watch. It should open slow but speed up over the weekends. Most importantly, I can see awards for Akshay for this wonderful performance!

Three and a half stars!

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