The pre-Christmas week has at last shown up. The best is always reserved for the last and it has been a custom to have at least one biggie unfurl in the Christmas week before the curtains fall on the on-going year. Salman Khan teams up with the Hit machine - director Prabhudheva -- yet again. In addition, several enviable names, on and off-screen, lend muscle to the enterprise. The canvas is gigantic as well. It can't get bigger than Dabangg 3, honestly.

Prabhudheva is synonymous with audience-friendly movies. Most critics may abhor his work, however, the paying public - the ones who matter ultimately - adores his film. His films may not offer ground-breaking stuff, nor do they get exemplary honours, yet he whips up a storm at the box-office each time he attempts a high-on-entertainment fare.

This is for fans and adversaries of Salman Khan... Fans, cheer, Salman is back furiously with Dabangg 3. This is his deadliest performance to date. Indeed, you read it right! Adversaries, sorry, you won't have the option to lash out at him or dispatch a horrendous tirade this time. Well, without mincing my words, I must avow that Dabangg 3 is aimed exclusively at the hoi polloi. It rides on Salman Khan's star power. In a film like Dabangg 3, in a role that appears to be an expansion of his character, you can't even consider any other actor portraying this role with flourish.

Recollect the successful potboilers of yore. Recall how the hero would diminish 10 goons to mash in a fraction of seconds. Recall how heroism won at last, regardless of how unfriendly the conditions were. Recall those films wherein rationale assumed a lower priority since the attention was on entertainment... You relive those moments as reel after reel of Dabangg 3 unfolds. It may/may not make sense to you, but screenplay writers - Salman Khan, Prabhudheva and Aloke Upadhyaya - ensure that you are entertained.

With Dabangg 3, one is well prepared about what's in store. The sole factor that director Prabhu Dheva needs to stress over is whether Dabangg 3 would meet the towering and monumental expectations. More so, because Salman Khan is contending with himself. Salman Khan has redefined superstardom with mass entertainers. He's box-office's favourite actor and seems invincible and insurmountable at the moment! Hardcore masala films are relished with glee by the audience and Dabangg 3 takes this genre one step ahead. Sure, it's an old wine packed in a brand new bottle but the result is sheer magic. Most importantly, Dabangg 3 has Salman Khan like never before. In fact, breathing fire and venom, Chulbul Pandey aka Robinhood Pandey taps Salman's star power like no film has. Dabangg 3 stands on three pillars - Salman Khan's star power, smashing stunts and super music.

In a nutshell, Dabangg 3 delivers what it promises: Entertainment in enormous doses. Prabhu Dheva's latest offering speaks the language that the masses comprehend. It's one formula that can never go out of fashion if handled smartly. Actually, Chulbul Pandey has come to represent the common man and that's yet another reason why you root for him, feel overjoyed and ecstatic when he triumphs in the finale. For anyone who needs to comprehend what is the on-screen meaning of Bollywood, Dabangg 3 is absolutely textbook fare.

Let's face it, Dabangg 3 has nothing ground-breaking to offer as far as the story (Salman Khan) is concerned. But what makes Dabangg 3 shine, and shine brightly, is Salman Khan's star power, which camouflages the aberrations wonderfully. The film is special for two more reasons: Anl Arasu's stunts and Sajid-Wajid's music. Talking of action scenes, Salman's introduction at the start and the fight-to-finish in the climax, when Salman's shirt tears apart and the rippling muscles and the bare-chest fight ensues, will send the masses in frenzy. To state that the action scenes are outstanding, especially the fight in the finale would be an understatement. Mark my words, the action scenes will lead to chaos at mass-dominated centres, especially at single screens. It won't be erroneous to state that the climax is worth the price of the ticket, samosa, sandwich, popcorn, nachos and cola put together.

Sajid-Wajid's music is of a mixed variety and gels wonderfully with the genre of the film. Munna Badnaa Hua track will send the viewers into raptures. The background score (Sandeep Shirodkar) is electrifying and in sync with the on-screen situations. Dialogue (Dilip Shukla and Aloke Upadhyaya) are excellent. The lines are written with equivalent flamboyance and will be greeted with claps and whistles. Mahesh Limaye's cinematography is top-notch and he makes every frame appear larger-than-life.

But Dabangg 3 is not without its share of flaws. The film stands on a thin storyline and the viewer can guess what's in store next. Besides, the film could've done without a song or two, thereby keeping its length in check (editor: Ritesh Soni). However, these are minor aberrations. For, the plusses easily outweigh and outnumber the minuses here.

The principal cast provides the much-needed sheen to Prabhudheva's vision. Salman Khan uses his fists, spews venom and threats, bullies the villain, flirts and romances, does the pelvic thrusts... in fact, he does everything that one expects from Chulbul Pandey. Honestly speaking, Dabangg 3 is a Salman Khan vehicle and the actor is the Big Boss here. You cannot imagine anyone else doing what he does. And every time he plays to the gallery, many in the audience (especially at single screens) are sure to fling the loose change on screen as a mark of appreciation for his on-screen antics. He defies logic and gets away with it! He is like a ferocious lion who roars with all his might. The show belongs to the actor, who scorches the screen every time he displays the manic anger. From a statutory warning against cigarette and gutka, mouthed by Khan, to his anti-dowry stance and a message on water conservation and a dig at demonetization at the very end, there is also ample messaging to be found in the movie.

Sonakshi Sinha's pairing with Salman looks wonderful. She is her usual chirpy and feisty self as Rajjo. She delivers the right expressions. The newcomer Saiee Manjrekar has an infectious charm and radiates confidence all through the enterprise. The character she portrays has tremendous mass appeal. Also, the desi girl image suits her impeccably. She is camera-friendly and confident to the T. Arbaaz Khan is okay. Dimple Kapadia is truly wonderful. Pramod Khanna (brother of late Vinod Khanna) is excellent. Kichcha Sudeep has a good screen presence. He is superb as the antagonist. He's venomous to the hilt! Yet another sterling act that doesn’t miss a beat! He takes giant strides as an actor & gives the film the much-needed support.

On the whole, Dabangg 3 is the emblematic formula movie with distinct essentials that Indian masses yearn for. The film is for those who seek unabashed entertainment and relish masala films. Damn the indomitable critics, pseudo-intellectuals and connoisseurs of parallel cinema, this one's not for them. Dabangg 3 is for the aam junta. Dabangg 3 is your ticket this festive season. Dhamaal entertainer!