Sardaar Gabbar Singh (2016) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 5 May 2026
Sardaar Gabbar Singh (2016) Review
Sardaar Gabbar Singh (2016) is a Telugu action, comedy, crime film directed by Bobby Kolli, starring Pawan Kalyan, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharad Kelkar. Gabbar Singh arrives at the empire of Rathanpur to save the princess and the civilians from the ruthless criminal Bhairav Singh. Our Rating: 2/5. Verdict: FLOP. Released: 8 Apr 2016. Runtime: 2h 43m.


Sardaar Gabbar Singh(2016)
Guts, Guns and Love
Telugu · Action, Comedy, Crime
2h 43m · 8 Apr 2016
Music: Devi Sri Prasad | DOP: Arthur Wilson, Jayanan Vincent | Writer: Pawan Kalyan, Sai Madhav Burra
Ratings
Our Rating
2
📖 Story
Sardaar Gabbar Singh, a maverick and fearless police officer, is transferred to the lawless princely town of Rattanpur. The town is under the iron fist of Bhairav Singh, a ruthless feudal lord who exploits the villagers for his mining interests and personal gain. Upon arrival, Sardaar not only challenges Bhairav's authority but also falls in love with Princess Arshi, whose family is living in fear of the warlord. The story follows Sardaar's unconventional battle to dismantle Bhairav's empire and rescue the princess and the people of Rattanpur.
Sardaar Gabbar Singh is a star-centric action entertainer that leans heavily on Pawan Kalyan's established 'Gabbar Singh' persona. The first half is relatively engaging, focusing on the hero’s flamboyant entry into Rattanpur, his quirky police tactics, and his initial friction with the antagonist. The Western-inspired setting and the chemistry between the lead pair provide some fresh visuals, though the narrative beats remain strictly within the conventional commercial template.
The second half, however, suffers from a significant dip in pacing and a lack of cohesive storytelling. The screenplay, penned by Pawan Kalyan himself, becomes a series of disjointed elevation scenes and repetitive confrontations that don't effectively raise the stakes. The inclusion of multiple songs acting as speed breakers further slows the momentum, leading to a climax that feels rushed and unconvincing given the buildup of the villain's power.
Technically, Devi Sri Prasad’s music and background score are the film's strongest assets, injecting energy into otherwise flat sequences. While the songs like 'Tauba Tauba' and 'Baitikochi Chuste' were popular, the BGM consistently tries to shoulder the emotional weight that the script lacks. The cinematography captures the grand sets and action choreography well, but the editing is choppy, with abrupt transitions between scenes.
Ultimately, the film serves as a fan tribute rather than a robust sequel or standalone story. While the hero's histrionics and style statements are delivered in abundance, the 'soul' of a tight narrative is missing. It remains a one-man show where the supporting cast is largely underutilized, leaving the burden of entertainment entirely on the Power Star's shoulders.
Pawan Kalyan: Drives the entire film with his signature energy and style, though the writing limits his range.
Kajal Aggarwal: Looks ravishing as Princess Arshi; her chemistry with Pawan is a highlight despite limited character depth.
Sharad Kelkar: Makes a powerful Telugu debut as the menacing Bhairav Singh, providing a strong physical presence.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Pawan Kalyan's screen presence
- ✓Devi Sri Prasad's background score
- ✓Lavish production design (Rattanpur set)
- ✓Sharad Kelkar's performance
Weaknesses
- ✕Weak and disjointed screenplay
- ✕Lengthy runtime and pacing issues
- ✕Lack of emotional depth
- ✕Repetitive action sequences
🎬 Direction & Writing
K. S. Ravindra (Bobby) delivers a film that is essentially a vehicle for its lead star. The direction lacks a cohesive vision, often feeling like a compilation of scenes designed to satisfy fan expectations rather than telling a compelling story.
- - Grand art direction for the Rattanpur sets
- - Energetic action choreography
- - Crisp cinematography in the action blocks
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3.00 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 | |
| 2.00 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
🏆 Records & Box Office
- - Record-breaking Day 1 worldwide gross.
- - Significant drops in collections starting from the first Monday.
- - Failed to recover high pre-release investments.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | Fans appreciated the 'Gabbar Singh' mannerisms and songs. |
| Neutral | Technical quality and sets were lauded. |
| Negative | General audience felt the film was tedious and lacked a proper story. |
Critics
Critics largely panned the film for its uninspired writing and excessive length, though Pawan Kalyan's charisma and the production scale were noted as redeeming factors for die-hard fans.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Sardaar Gabbar Singh release in theatres?▾
Sardaar Gabbar Singh released on 8 April 2016 (2016).
Is Sardaar Gabbar Singh a hit or flop?▾
Sardaar Gabbar Singh is declared a FLOP at the box office.
Where to watch Sardaar Gabbar Singh online? OTT release date?▾
Sardaar Gabbar Singh is available on JioHotstar, Jio Cinema, ZEE5. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Sardaar Gabbar Singh?▾
Sardaar Gabbar Singh directed by Bobby Kolli. Produced by Pawan Kalyan, Sunil Lulla, Sharath Marar.
Who are the main cast members of Sardaar Gabbar Singh?▾
Sardaar Gabbar Singh stars Pawan Kalyan, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharad Kelkar.
What is the Tollybo rating for Sardaar Gabbar Singh?▾
Tollybo rates Sardaar Gabbar Singh 2/5. Verdict: FLOP.
Who composed the music for Sardaar Gabbar Singh?▾
Music for Sardaar Gabbar Singh composed by Devi Sri Prasad.
What is the genre and runtime of Sardaar Gabbar Singh?▾
Sardaar Gabbar Singh — Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime, Runtime: 163 minutes, Language: Telugu.
