Many expected Power Star Pawan Kalyan after becoming Dy CM of Andhra Pradesh would stop doing films as his speeches also sent the same signals. However he is lining up projects to delight his fans and his much delayed from, Ustaad Bhagat Singh is releasing on 19 March 2026. The film is increasing interest levels as Pawan Kalyan and Harish Shankar earlier came up with the blockbuster Gabbar Singh. However, the rumours that the film is the remake of Vijay's Theri is dampening the spirits. To the top of it, it is locking horns with Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar The Revenge, which is releasing on the same day and carrying huge expectations as it is the sequel to the blockbuster movie Dhurandhar. Ustaad Bhagat Singh OTT rights have been bagged by Netflix. Let us find out what Ustaad Bhagat Singh offered to movie lovers.
Ustaad Bhagat Singh story revolves around a young boy from a tribal sect, drawing inspiration and becomes a police officer and how he overcomes the challenges in the future.
Bhagat Singh (Pawan Kalyan), since his childhood, has grown up according to honest principles and goes on to become a police officer.
It all boils down to how he deals with Nalla Nagappa (R.Parthibhan), apowerful politician. Will he compromise or clash and what role Geetha (Sreeleela), Shloka(Raashi Khanna), Singaiah (Rao Ramesh), his teacher (KS.Ravikumar) played from the rest of the developments.
Pawan Kalyan makes an impact with his screen presence. He carried the film on his shoulders. His body language, dialogue delivery, mannerisms, emotions and expressions are a treat to watch. He surprises with his dances and generates laughs with his comic timing. He performed powerful stunts with ease. He looked in a stylish manner on the big screen and thrilled viewers donning different outfits.
Sreeleea got good even presence and a role of importance. She looked gorgeous on screen and as usual spellbound with her dancing talent. Her dialogues are loaded with humour and her chemistry with Pawan Kalyan is a treat to watch. Though she is introduced late on the screen, she made an impact with her screen presence.
Raashi Khanna got limited screen presence, though she appeared on screen much earlier but she made her presence felt.
Parthiban is good in the role of a menacing villian. He showed unique villainy and made an impact with his attitude and voice, and matched Pawan Kalyan perfectly. KS.Ravikumar impressed with his emotional performance. Others, like Gautami, Rao Ramesh, Ashutosh Rana,Satyam Rajesh, Prabhas Sreenu, Chammak Chandra who performed according to their roles.
Ustaad Bhagat Singh's story is written by Harish Shankar. The story is a predictable and routine commercial entertainer. Everyone can predict that in the end, the hero wins over the villain. But Harish Shankar turned the routine one into an exciting and entertaining one, filling it completely with Pawan Kalyan's swag and aura.
The entry scene and the fight sequence will drive all the fans and masses crazy. The entire first half goes in a smooth manner with a racy screenplay and narration with Pawan Kalyan's mannerisms, dialogues, and comic timing. There is not much story in the first half but Harish Shankar made up for it showing Pawan Kalyan in all possible ways to delight his fans.
Sreeleela and Pawan Kalyan's romantic track and chemistry are entertaining. Pawan Kalyan's dance in Dekh Lenge impresses, and the first half interval bang with powerful Elements sets the stage for the second half. Hero and villain face off takes viewers into the second half and from then on the story assumes a serious turn. The action and emotional elements keeps viewers glued. The remix song is the highlight, and Harish Shankar ensured that the pace is even despite routine and predictable elements. The climax turns out to be a complete surprise. As most of the story is in the second half, it turns out to be the saving grace for the film.
The songs tuned by Devi Sri Prasad came out good on the screen though they failed to make an impact while one listened. Thaman elevated the scenes with his background music and he created an impact with his RR.
The Cinematography of Ayananka Bose gave a rich feel showing the rural and tribal regions in a natural and realistic manner. He captured action blocks in an appealing way. The editing of Karthika Srinivas is ok but could have been better as there are repetitive scenes that slowed the tempo. Dialogues are good and production values are grand.
Altogether, Ustaad Bhagat Singh turns out to be a typical Pawan Kalyan film. Harish Shankar should be credited for waiting patiently to take his project, which was announced in 2020 and ensure that finally it saw the arclights. Harish Shankar may be slammed for not coming up with fresh story but considering Pawan Kalyan's political commitments he chose to play safe by coming with a predictable commercial entertainer.
However, he should be commended by showing Pawan Kalyan in the most stylish and charming and handsome manner on the big screen. To the top of it, he made Pawan Kalyan don multiple getups and it is a treat for all his fans. To the top of it, Harish Shankar also made Pawan Kalyan to dance to foottapping beats and he filled the entire film with numerous fan moments. Others may find the film a complete cringe with outdated mass commercial elements. However, for Pawan Kalyan's die hard fans, it is a complete feast. He used the songs of various actors and Pawan kalyan's mannerisms and dialogues are a treat to watch.
The story, screenplay and direction is uni dimensional and offers nothing much to rave about. A little finetuning of the story and the script, few interesting elements would have made the day. Considering all these elements, Cinejosh goes with a 2.5 rating for Ustaad Bhagat Singh.