Can never be enough of Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt: 7 Dogs directors on stars' cameos

A new Bollywood-Hollywood hybrid titled 7 Dogs has made its debut in Indian cinemas, offering audiences a high-octane blend of action, international stardom, and over-the-top spectacle. The film, directed by Belgian-Moroccan siblings Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, known for their work on the Bad Boys films and the popular web series Ms. Marvel, features a storyline involving a multinational drug-smuggling syndicate and a reluctant alliance between an Interpol officer and a notorious fugitive. The movie was originally produced in Arabic and dubbed into Hindi for release in India, marking a significant cross-cultural collaboration. From the outset, 7 Dogs signals its intent to deliver fast-paced, visually extravagant scenes. One of the earliest sequences involves a camera passing through a hole in a plane's windshield, entering the pilot’s head before cutting to a cabin where an agent is engaged in hand-to-hand combat with a criminal. These kinds of exaggerated, effects-heavy moments continue throughout the film, with several set pieces designed to impress rather than necessarily advance the narrative. Among these is a prolonged chase shot using a GoPro, which critics suggest might induce dizziness in some viewers. The plot follows Interpol officer Khalid (played by Ahmed Ezz), who captures a fugitive named Ghali (Karim Abdel Aziz) and is later compelled to work with him to dismantle the 7 Dogs syndicate. This group, composed of seven members including Bollywood stars Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan, is responsible for trafficking a powerful hallucinogenic drug called Pink Lady. The film takes care to avoid portraying the Saudi Arabian government in a negative light, emphasizing that drug runners face imprisonment rather than execution, while showcasing the country’s diverse landscapes as filming locations. Khalid and Ghali form an uneasy partnership, navigating challenges such as Khalid’s impending wedding and Ghali’s untrustworthy nature. Alongside them are two female agents with sharp looks and lethal skills, who assist in taking down the syndicate’s leaders, among them Monica Bellucci, Max Huang, Giancarlo Esposito, and Martin Lawrence. The film aims to reflect a broader spectrum of global talent, moving beyond typical Hollywood casting choices. Indian elements are woven into the fabric of the film, including a subplot centered around a traditional saas-bahu (mother-in-law and daughter-in-law) rivalry, along with Hindi dialogues written by Ashok Chauhan and Rahul Kothari. These lines are intentionally campy, adding to the film’s over-the-top charm. Meanwhile, Khalid juggles personal calls from his fiancée and his mother, all while developing a camaraderie with Ghali, despite their mutual distrust. The film’s production team has drawn comparisons to both Bollywood and Hollywood styles, blending the former’s flair for melodrama with the latter’s emphasis on action and special effects. While Salman Khan’s role does not make a significant impression, Sanjay Dutt brings energy and panache to his character, Ranjit, whose flamboyant personality fits seamlessly within the film’s larger-than-life tone. The movie, which runs for approximately 125 minutes, is positioned as entertainment aimed at audiences seeking escapism through spectacle. Its success will depend largely on how well it balances its ambitious visual style with a coherent narrative. With a mix of international stars and local flavor, 7 Dogs represents an attempt to bridge cultural divides in cinema, though whether it achieves this goal remains to be seen.