Singham made me feel at home

Moving to Pune was a culture shock i had not expected.

Being an Indian who grew up outside India, returning here and trying to adjust to new life was not easy.

Surprisingly though, it was not the big things but the little things, everyday things which seemed so out of proportion. It felt like walking a line between being an outsider and an insider all at once.

And then I saw Singham in a theatre near me 😉

The only real reason for me to watch this movie was Ajay Devgan who had previously impressed me with his range in The Legend of Bhagat Singh and of course, Golmaal.

Sitting in that theatre, while the crowd hooted, whistled at the dialogues and clapped at the action scenes. And that climax. First time I was privy to this part of the culture, did not feel alone and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Singham wasn’t just a film. It was a welcome.

It was loud, dramatic, unapologetically masala and full of intention. Ajay Devgan’s performance struck a balance between strength and sincerity, and I saw a versatility in him that I hadn’t noticed before. This wasn’t about logic or subtlety, it was about emotion, power, and justice all delivered with raw energy. It was comforting. It made sense that it wasn’t just a film.

People often dismiss masala cinema as brain rot. But when made with heart, these films speak directly to the emotional core. They offer belonging. They let you surrender for two hours and feel part of something familiar. Something deeply Indian.

Give me Singham, Singham Returns, Chennai Express, or Golmaal 3 and you’ll find me seated, popcorn in hand, ready to laugh, cheer, and forget for a while that I ever felt like a stranger here.

Just as I am here now sitting with Mom watching the movie for the umpteenth time.

These films are the stress buster needed when life gets all too real.