Sunil Shetty debuted with low budget films like Balwaan and continued with action films like Anth and Dilwale. However, his typical action films starting flop post 1994 and he didn't get a hit till Border(1997). Rakshak and Krishna were his only average runners from 1996 and that was only because of the superhit music.
1997 was a different year for Sunil Shetty because he had critically and commercially acclaimed hits like Border and Bhai. However, the typical action potboilers still stayed because films like Judge Mujrim and Dhaal existed. This didn't let Shetty succeed fully but his fans still liked his typical action films. I am a fan of his too which is why I don't mind watching his typical movies but I prefer his critically acclaimed films like Border more than his typical films.
Dhaal: The Battle of Law Against Law brings a hard hitting and correct issue of the corruption in India. The concept of how the criminals survive and escape prison because of bribed lawyers is good. However, the handling is quite mediocre at times making the movie succeed partially. The police risk their lives to catch criminals and these black coated lawyers just turn the whole case around making the cops frustrated. This is a typical issue for a Bollywood movie to exploit but the handling of the issue is good in certain parts. In fact, the well handled parts are the reasons why this film is worth watching.
Direction by Sameer Malkan is superb in parts, mediocre is parts. He handles many scenes well but some scenes falter and the pace of the film isn't well maintained. Vinod Khanna's entry is well handled but the scenes between him and his wife Gautami are boring and slow the pace of the film, Sunil Shetty's entry is okay but the main story is completely sidelined because of the forced comedy. However, the scenes like Sunil outsmarting Danny in the court, most Amrish Puri scenes, Vinod Khanna getting framed, Sunil Shetty's arrest, and the enmity between Shetty and Khanna in prison are well handled. However, the climax is typical and could've been much better. Overall, his direction is somewhat decent yet could be better.
Vinod Khanna does a terrific job as the frustrated cop, his anger is well acted. This is one actor who can play a hero's role even if he is overweight and old. Sunil Shetty hams and irritates initially but as the movie progresses, he does a decent job. He doesn't irritate with his crying or shrieking act like he used to in his films earlier. He is decent in the court scene and his action as usual is a delight to watch. Gautami does a fairly decent job as Khanna's wife, Anjali Jathar does an average job as the heroine, her role is short. Danny is good as the villain, his dynamic change is filmy though, Amrish Puri does good as the main villain but his dialogues are cheesy. The rest provide decent support.
Music is OK but some of the songs weren't needed, they just slow down the film. The copied version of Macarena is the best song, the other songs are average. Action is well choreographed and is one of the highlights of the film. Editing is decent but some scenes could've been better edited.
On the whole, Dhaal is an average Sunil Shetty flick which works perfectly in parts only. The film could've been better. The film isn't bad but it isn't anything memorable. The film is a decent timepass flick which will be enjoyed by Shetty's fans. Being a Sunil Shetty fan, I didn't mind watching the film though this isn't even as good as some of his better films like Border. Even Gopi Kishan(1994) was better than this, it was a better handled film. Sameer Malkan's own Main Khiladi Tu Anari(1994) and the flop Divya Shakti(1993) were better films than this. Yes, the film was a box office flop.
1997 was a different year for Sunil Shetty because he had critically and commercially acclaimed hits like Border and Bhai. However, the typical action potboilers still stayed because films like Judge Mujrim and Dhaal existed. This didn't let Shetty succeed fully but his fans still liked his typical action films. I am a fan of his too which is why I don't mind watching his typical movies but I prefer his critically acclaimed films like Border more than his typical films.
Dhaal: The Battle of Law Against Law brings a hard hitting and correct issue of the corruption in India. The concept of how the criminals survive and escape prison because of bribed lawyers is good. However, the handling is quite mediocre at times making the movie succeed partially. The police risk their lives to catch criminals and these black coated lawyers just turn the whole case around making the cops frustrated. This is a typical issue for a Bollywood movie to exploit but the handling of the issue is good in certain parts. In fact, the well handled parts are the reasons why this film is worth watching.
Direction by Sameer Malkan is superb in parts, mediocre is parts. He handles many scenes well but some scenes falter and the pace of the film isn't well maintained. Vinod Khanna's entry is well handled but the scenes between him and his wife Gautami are boring and slow the pace of the film, Sunil Shetty's entry is okay but the main story is completely sidelined because of the forced comedy. However, the scenes like Sunil outsmarting Danny in the court, most Amrish Puri scenes, Vinod Khanna getting framed, Sunil Shetty's arrest, and the enmity between Shetty and Khanna in prison are well handled. However, the climax is typical and could've been much better. Overall, his direction is somewhat decent yet could be better.
Vinod Khanna does a terrific job as the frustrated cop, his anger is well acted. This is one actor who can play a hero's role even if he is overweight and old. Sunil Shetty hams and irritates initially but as the movie progresses, he does a decent job. He doesn't irritate with his crying or shrieking act like he used to in his films earlier. He is decent in the court scene and his action as usual is a delight to watch. Gautami does a fairly decent job as Khanna's wife, Anjali Jathar does an average job as the heroine, her role is short. Danny is good as the villain, his dynamic change is filmy though, Amrish Puri does good as the main villain but his dialogues are cheesy. The rest provide decent support.
Music is OK but some of the songs weren't needed, they just slow down the film. The copied version of Macarena is the best song, the other songs are average. Action is well choreographed and is one of the highlights of the film. Editing is decent but some scenes could've been better edited.
On the whole, Dhaal is an average Sunil Shetty flick which works perfectly in parts only. The film could've been better. The film isn't bad but it isn't anything memorable. The film is a decent timepass flick which will be enjoyed by Shetty's fans. Being a Sunil Shetty fan, I didn't mind watching the film though this isn't even as good as some of his better films like Border. Even Gopi Kishan(1994) was better than this, it was a better handled film. Sameer Malkan's own Main Khiladi Tu Anari(1994) and the flop Divya Shakti(1993) were better films than this. Yes, the film was a box office flop.