If you look up the term "pulp fiction" on Wikipedia, you won't only get the Quentin Tarantino's classic that I have yet to see. Turns out that the Master of the Fun & the Gory didn't coin that term. In fact, the phrase is the name of magazines that were popular from the 1920's to the 1950's which consisted of intricate revenge plots, gorgeous women and zany violence. Tarantino brought the style of those magazines to film. not just in the Travolta-Jackson-Thurman starrer but in many of his works such as Kill Bill and Death Proof. Having seen Tashan, I wondered how to describe it. Like my all time favorite film, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, it brought a new treatment to many of the Bollywood conventions but something intangible seperated it from the actioners of 1980's and 1990's. I then realized that the tashan of Tashan is Tarantinic, using outlandish comic book violence and gore. Unsurprisingly this is its greatest asset and also the reason for its undeserving failure. I'm not saying that this film is flawless and world-changing but it's something different which is what Bollywood critics ask for but can't handle.
Like I said before, this film is not flawless. And I don't think it's going to be a classic that's ahead of its time. In fact, it's barely of the "cult film" status. Even though it borrows from the Tarantinic style of comic book violence and revenge, there's still a quality missing from Archarya's film that Tarantino mastered. Acharya attempts a non-linear storytelling device, quite popular in Pulp Fiction and other pulp fictions. The movie's opens with the present but then Jimmy takes you in flashback and intermission happens at the culmination of the first scene. But it is not enough! And I think that is the tragic flaw of Tashan. Such a silly and gory story needs to be told in a unique mind-and-time-bending, er, tashan. Of course, this is Acharya's directorial debut. I'm sure if he works as hard to improve himself as Tarantino does, I admit my bias towards Kareena. But I don't think its unfounded. She is the kind of actress who is either loved or hated and it's impossible to change the opinions of either a lover or a hater. Fine, her career had a rocky start but get over it! Ever since Chameli, an entire four years ago, she has been trying to get rid of the Poo image and, in my opinion, she has done a fine job of it. She nows plays roles that are more down-to-earth and intelligent. And she is one of the few actresses who is allowed to display her comedic timing. How many times have we seen girls standing there reacting to male banter? It's annoying but Kareena, who is finally taking charge of her career, won't allow that to be her. Also, she is not afraid of the silly. The first time she did Poo in K3g was hilarious. It's obnoxious now because we know what it led to but back then we all fell for it. She got a Filmfare nomination for it, for crying out loud! After her fearless, full-bodied, exceptional performance in Jab We Met and 36 China Town (just kidding about the latter!), Kareena does another good job here. I mean, how many action heroines do we have in Bollywood? Zeenat Amaan? Priyanka Chopra? Lara Dutta?
Kareena is hilarious and sexy and I'm still looking for some pieces of my mind that she blew away. And there's this crazy moment in the climax where she (and I'm pretty sure they showed her face so it must have been actually her) does an air-borne flip, lands on Anil Kapoor and stabs him with a spear or something. I swear she channels Durga, exacting revenge on the demon Mahisasura. This iconic moment in her career is actually making a feminist statement about women being in control of their own lives and dominating a patriarchal society. The feminist that I am, that was a really intense part of Tashan. And it was really cool. 
Saif Ali Khan is super suave and terrific. I mean, he is just really cool and he holds his own against action star Akshay. The man just oozes coolness especially in the earlier scenes at the call centre. Saif Ali Khan I think is at the point in his career where he will find success no matter what. Also, not only is Kareena objectified as a sexual object but Saif (and Akshay at some times) is as well, so all is fair for everyone in Tashan.Praising Akshay Kumar is as unnecesaary as praising Haroon in Takoma Park. It just goes without saying. Of course, Haroon and Bachchan Pandey are funny. Of course, they emote well. Of course, they are really, really cool. Akshay Kumar has this look where he is adorably embarrassed, like a girl caught him talking about how much he loves her. He has this goofy smile, sometimes he puts his hand behind his head and he starts stuttering. God, that look is just brilliant and I never tire of it. Of course, Akshay is great in the action scenes as well. He does lift up a metal pole, swings it around and knocks some hoodlums off the roof. I mean, how do people find this movie unenjoyable!
Seriously, this movie is really funny and the music videos do full justice. The best video is Dil Dance Maare which literally comes out of nowhere and is a clever spoof of random dance songs. I think it got criticism because it is so random but hello! That's the point! Do Indian critics have no sense of humor? Lighten up. Then you have Falakh Tak which is an ode to romantic numbers of the 70s and 80s and 90s. It's cute and well-shot and Kareena looks absolutely look stunning in the black number. Chaliya and Dil Haara are good. In the former, Kareena's choreography is suitable to her (lack of) talents. Dil Haara is exceptionally shot. But I think the real star, of course, is choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant. Again she infuses these four songs with bohemian rhythms and eclectic dance steps. I could go on and on about her. Also, the costumes in this film deserve a mention, especially Kareena's. Yay Aki Narula! 
