Himesh Reshammiya’s Bad Ass Ravi Kumar movie has finally been released in theatres. Before talking about the actual movie, some historical context is necessary. Eleven years ago, Himesh made a movie named The Expose, where Ravi Kumar’s character was introduced.
Because action movies are currently popular, and big actors are making comebacks with masala action, he announced a movie on Ravi Kumar almost two and a half years ago, creating a cinematic universe with The Expose movie.
This is the second movie in The Expose Universe, Bad Ass Ravi Kumar, and everything about it is something else. The most astonishing thing is that they must have shot for two to three months—did they never question what they were doing? Before judging any movie, it is important to consider the motive behind making it.
As soon as the film starts, Ravi Kumar delivers a dialogue stating that to watch this movie set in 1980, one must adopt the same perspective, where neither grand production budgets nor high-quality VFX existed, but there was a unique style. The film claims to celebrate the golden era of entertainment, but logic is optional. When the makers openly declare this at the beginning, should the audience use logic or not? They followed through and created a movie completely devoid of logic.
Was it right or wrong? Should it be viewed positively or negatively? They openly admitted to making a “bad” film, so does that make it acceptable? However, one thing that stood out was the dialogues, which received applause. The audience, though small, enjoyed it. Some lines were surreal: “No dream has so much power that Ravi Kumar sees it and it does not get fulfilled.” Another line that stood out: “Protocol is for those who follow it. It takes money as well as gives orders.” There are moments of absurdity, such as a character threatening to make a bag out of someone and sell it in the market, or suddenly feeling the urge to dance at a random wedding procession.
If the question is how much Bad Ass Ravi Kumar connects to the previous movie in the cinematic universe, the answer is: there is no connection. Only the name and face of the main character remain. The plot involves a reel containing India’s top-secret agent information, missiles, and more. Unlike modern spy movies that use chips, since this is set in the 1980s, it uses a reel. The antagonist, Carlos Pedro Panther, played by Prabhu Deva, is a ruthless villain who will kill anyone. His performance brings genuinely funny moments, and he seems to embrace the absurdity of the film.
The story involves a woman bringing the reel from India. She loves Ravi Kumar, but he loves her sister, and multiple parties, including goons, get involved. Dialogue after dialogue, the absurdity continues. When Ravi Kumar delivers his world-famous line, “Khoon Mad Dunga,” the audience laughs and claps.
In the second half, something strange happens. The visuals have an odd after-image effect, making it seem like a camera shutter speed issue or a projection problem in the theatre. At one point, the screen goes completely black, and then suddenly, things return to normal. A heist sequence follows, featuring a long rooftop chase song that feels never-ending. Throughout the two-and-a-half-hour movie, certain sequences dip in engagement, making it drag.
One of the most shocking moments was an unexpected Spiderman reference, which was so hilariously executed that it became impossible not to laugh. At multiple points, a realization hits—why watch this film? Why wake up early and sit through it? Yet, somehow, it has a unique charm.
To be honest, the movie is bad. But if you put an “ss” in front of “bad,” it becomes “badass.” Whether that makes it a positive or a negative experience depends on the viewer’s mindset. The film’s action sequences, as teased in the trailer, end within five minutes. The rest of the movie is something entirely different. Filming in Oman, they recorded everything—past, present, and future. After the movie ends, there is a post-credit tease.
Ultimately, if you’re not prepared for the sheer “badness” of Bad Ass Ravi Kumar, you may regret watching it within the first 15 minutes. But if you’re ready for the ride, you might just find something entertaining in its madness.
