Last updated: 8 May 2026
Hindi · Action, Crime, Drama
2h 18m · 6 Sept 2013
Writer: Salim Khan, Javed Akhtar, Apoorva Lakhia
Ratings
Our Rating
1.75
Zanjeer (2013) is a Hindi action film that serves as a remake of the 1973 classic of the same name. The story follows Vijay Khanna, an honest and fearless police officer who is determined to bring justice to the city plagued by crime and corruption. Haunted by a traumatic past, Vijay's quest to dismantle the criminal empire is complicated by powerful adversaries and his own emotional struggles. The narrative explores themes of revenge, justice, and redemption, set against a backdrop of intense action sequences and dramatic confrontations.
Zanjeer attempts to recreate the magic of the original by focusing on a gritty and intense storyline centered on the protagonist's fight against crime. The screenplay, however, struggles to maintain a consistent pace, with the first half feeling sluggish and laden with exposition, while the second half picks up momentum with more engaging action scenes and confrontations.
The film's content is marked by a blend of emotional drama and high-octane action, but the execution lacks freshness, relying heavily on clichés and predictable plot points. The songs and music are minimal and fail to leave a lasting impact, with the background score being adequate but not particularly memorable, missing opportunities to enhance the film's tense atmosphere.
Overall, the movie's pacing issues and lack of innovative storytelling hinder its ability to captivate the audience fully. While the performances add some weight to the narrative, the film does not quite live up to the legacy of its predecessor, resulting in a remake that feels more obligatory than inspired.
Ram Charan: Delivers a sincere and intense portrayal of Vijay Khanna, though occasionally constrained by the script.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas: Provides a strong presence but with limited scope to showcase her acting range.
Sanjay Dutt: Impressive as the antagonist, bringing a menacing edge to the role.
Prakash Raj: Offers solid support with a convincing performance.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Apoorva Lakhia's direction shows intent to pay homage to the original but falters in delivering a tightly woven narrative. The writing lacks depth and freshness, resulting in a remake that feels dated and uneven in tone.
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 2.75 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 | |
| 2.50 / 5 |
Our Rating
No collection data available yet.
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 20% |
| Neutral | 30% |
| Negative | 50% |
Critics generally found Zanjeer (2013) to be a lackluster remake that failed to capture the essence of the original. While performances, especially by Ram Charan and Sanjay Dutt, were appreciated, the film was criticized for its slow pacing, uninspired screenplay, and weak music. The consensus was that the movie did not offer anything new to the audience and was a missed opportunity to revive a classic.
Final Box-Office Result
Zanjeer released on 6 September 2013 (2013).
Zanjeer is declared a DISASTER at the box office.
Zanjeer is available on Tubi TV, Fawesome. OTT date will be updated soon.
Zanjeer directed by Apoorva Lakhia. Produced by Anil V. Kumar, Puneet Prakash Mehra, Sakett Saawhney, Sumeet Prakash Mehra, Shabbir Ahluwalia.
Zanjeer stars Ram Charan, Prakash Raj, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sanjay Dutt, Srihari.
Tollybo rates Zanjeer 1.75/5. Verdict: DISASTER.
Zanjeer — Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Runtime: 138 minutes, Language: Hindi.
