Critics' Report: Is 'Sultan' Salman Khan's biggest hit so far?

Here's what the celebrities and critics have to say about the Anushka Sharma starrer

From being appointed as India's Goodwill Ambassador for Rio Olympics to comparing himself to a "raped woman", Salman Khan has sparked many controversies while promoting Sultan.

Starring Salman Khan and Anuskha Sharma in key roles, the Ali Abbas Zafar directorial is a story of a wrestler fighting for redemption and glory.

As Sultan finally hits the screens today, we find out if all the so-called drama was worth it.

PHOTO: DNA INDIA



Here's what the celebrities and critics have to say about Sultan.

The Indian Express

With Sultan, Salman Khan has dropped another Eid blockbuster for his fans. This is the movie where Salman finally breaks free from being Bhai and yet delivers a complete entertainer. The director surprises us by keeping the slack moments mostly at bay in this 170-minutes enterprise. Some lines are distinctly populist, but spry enough to make you crack up.

There’s a moment in the film in which Sultan Ali Khan says sorry to a character, and begins earning forgiveness. It is a what if’ moment, especially resonant in the face of his most recent controversy.

PHOTO: FORBES.COM



DNA

A story that will touch your heart, performances that are stellar and drama that’s worthy of the big screen hysteria. this is how mainstream, commercial films should be made. The film has wrestling as its backdrop but it never overpowers the emotional aspect of the lead protagonists. That’s the beauty of Sultan’s screenplay. This is indeed Salman's crowning glory as a performer. It’s the best treat of the year so far.

PHOTO:FILE

Pinkvilla

Salman gives a searing performance but his film is a drag. Director Ali Abbas Zafar takes his leading man through an array of emotions. He is seen evolving - from an aimless prankster to a man who falls irrevocably in love to being a fallen star.

The cast shines but the story gets too contrived. There is persistent emotional manipulation you can’t overlook. The love story comes with a whole bunch of needless songs and the break up comes with a few more. The story makes you restless with its frequent cutaways. Time and again Salman calls it melodrama. You wish Zafar tried a little less to hit all the buttons to get you clapping.

PHOTO: HINDUSTANTIMES

Hindustan Times

Salman, Anushka’s Eid offering has all the sparkles. The director’s biggest success lies in taming Salman’s overpowering persona. Zafar further breaks the film into three distinct acts, and the actor excels in each of them. From playing a done-and-dusted homegrown wrestler to a wonder-boy of freestyle fighting, you see Salman put up a performance like never before.

In a welcome change for Bollywood, Sharma actually talks about women emancipation in a language that isn’t confined to “Ghar Mein Maa Behan Nahi Hai Kya?”.

Sultan has all the right ingredients of a ‘masala’ potboiler, and whistling and sobbing are likely to go hand-in-hand here. Don’t go looking for a twist ending, though. We all know what to expect from such a film, but it’s still a lot of fun to see the underdog win.

PHOTO: HINDUSTANTIMES



And celebrities just can't stop raving about it!
https://twitter.com/karanjohar/status/750440466294923264

@BeingSalmanKhan like never before and @AnushkaSharma convincing as ever,power pack emotional journey thoroughly enjoyed #sultan

— Sidharth Malhotra (@SidMalhotra) July 6, 2016

SULTAN is TERRIFIC. In every department. Another heartfelt & superb performance by @BeingSalmanKhan. @AnushkaSharma rocks. BLOCKBUSTER.:)

— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) July 6, 2016

https://twitter.com/kabirkhankk/status/750450235260989444

Saw #Sultan .. it's going be hugeeee!! what a film @BeingSalmanKhan @AnushkaSharma @aliabbaszafar @khanarpita @Shanoozeing

— Huma Qureshi (@humasqureshi) July 5, 2016

https://twitter.com/karanjohar/status/750441014175862784

#Sultan is all heart. And it SHOWS. Big big love to the entire team. @Shanoozeing @VishalDadlani @ShekharRavjiani @RandeepHooda @TheAmitSadh

— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) July 5, 2016

Loved Loved Sultan- a @BeingSalmanKhan show all the way. He is phenomenal and so is @AnushkaSharma. Congrats @aliabbaszafar & team @yrf

— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) July 5, 2016

.@AnushkaSharma you are an amazing actor. Emotions were pitch perfect - fabulous .... #Sultan

— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) July 5, 2016