Dec 19, 2015 10:03 AM
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We prefer to see our heroes being faithful to their lovers – that’s a big quality that makes them appealing and desirable. In this regard, Sanjay Leela Bhansali had a big challenge in hand with his magnum opus Bajirao Mastani. After all, Bajirao, the lead protagonist, is in love with Mastani as well as Kashibai! How this whole idea is delicately handled by the master director and of course the grandness of the film is something to watch out for, despite the blemishes!
The story of the movie: Bajirao(Ranveer Singh), the son of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath, is appointed as the second Peshwa by Chhatrapati Shahu(Mahesh Manjrekar) when he is in very young(but not incapable). During his tenure, Marathas win many wars and expand their empire considerably. He is married to Kashibai(Priyanka Chopra) but during the Battle Of Bundelkhand, he falls in love with Mastani(Deepika Padukone), daughter of King Chatrasal of Bundelkhand. Both get married, bringing upon criticism, hate and even treachery from Bajirao’s own family itself.
Bajirao Mastani transports you in the 18th century from the first scene itself. Bajirao’s entry is bound to be loved for sure. The opening credits are quite cool and add to the impact. Mastani’s entry is sudden and takes the film to a new level. The Battle Of Bundelkhand sequence is brilliant to say the least! The manner in which love develops between the two is heartening. And also the tension is nicely depicted. Bajirao Mastani is more about the enemy within rather than the enemy at large. It raises some important questions about equality, discrimination in the name of religion etc. What makes one sad is that unfortunately, some regressive beliefs still exists today even in 2015.
Bajirao Mastani however is not without its share of flaws. The drama begins to lose sheen at several points. The impact that is created in the first half is not something that continues well in the second half. This is especially in the climax. Personally, it’s a bit of a downer although the idea that Bhansali tries to showcase is interesting.
Like in any Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Bajirao Mastani is laced with award winning and memorable performances. Ranveer Singh like a chameleon transforms totally into Bajirao. His performance is exemplary but his transformation is what stuns viewers! 2 years ago, he was speaking in Gujarati accent in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela and here, he perfects the Marathi accent and leaves no trace of any character he has played in the past and even doesn’t leave the trace of Ranveer himself! The actor has evolved and how! Take a bow!
Deepika Padukone looks stunning as Mastani and delivers a fabulous performance. The way she portrays the warrior, the musician-singer, the second wife in distress – it’s just amazing! Watch out for her in the pre-climax and climax – the fearlessness never fades away from her although the vulnerability sets in. Hats off! Priyanka Chopra has a very important part to portray and she does it with perfection. One might not empathize that much but still, she gives her hundred per cent to the role. At some places, she wins hearts with the maturity shown by her character. Her best act however is in the Gajanana song! Tanve Azmi(Radhaa Maa) plays the villainous act nicely. Mahesh Manjrekar is alright. But his voice suits that of a Chhatrapati very well, the way it did in the Marathi blockbuster Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy wherein he played Chhatrapati Shivaji. Milind Sonam(Ambaji Panth) looks cool as always and gives a great performance. Good to see this sexy actor after ages! Yateen Karyekar(Krishna Bhatt) is an actor to watch out for. Aditya Pancholi(Panth Pratinidhi) hardly has anything to do. Vaibhav Tatwawadi(Chimaji) leaves a mark. Other actors that do well are Zila Khan(Ruhani Begum), Benjamin Gilani(Raja Chhatrasaal), Ayush Tandon(Nana Saheb) and Raza Murad(Nizam Of Deccan). Master Jason Dsouza(Shamsher Bahadur) makes an impact in the pre-climax scene. Irrfan Khan with his voice rocks as the sutradhar.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s music meets the expectations and is well woven in the narrative. It is difficult to choose the best song but Deewani Mastani leaves the maximum impact somewhere. It is simply amazing! Pinga might be inaccurate but comes at an interesting juncture. Malhari is foot tapping and energetic. Albela Sajan is a song to watch out for – well shot and composed. Mohe Rang Do Laal has the ‘Mohe Panghat Pe’ feel of Mughal-E-Azam. Choreography looks authentic to the period in which the film is set and also appealing. Sudeep Chatterjee’s cinematography is brilliant.
Sanchit Balhara’s background music is as grand as the film. Sets(Sriram Iyengar, Sujeet Sawant and Saloni Dhatrak) as we could gather from the promos are simply out of this world. The Aina Mahal especially is unforgettable. Sham Kaushal’s action adds to the fun and masala in the film, despite some of the over the top stuff. VFX plays a very important role and helps in adding the grandness in the film. Sudeep Chatterjee’s cinematography is par excellence. The film is inspired from the book Rau by N S Inamdar. Prakash Kapadia’s dialogues are a treat and clapworthy, but at few places, it became a bit too much. Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Prakash Kapadia’s screenplay is exemplary and keeps viewers engaged with the numerous dramatic developments. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s direction is fair and it is evident that he has worked hard in making the sure the execution is perfect or at least near perfect. But he goes a bit off track in the second half at some places that could have been avoided maybe. Also, the climax rests on a nice idea but gets a bit heavy and a little weird, and this isn’t convincing. I don’t know how but maybe something else could have been done for a better impact. But a great job by SLB nevertheless and Bajirao Mastani surely turns out to be better than Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela.
Some of the best scenes:
Bajirao is appointed as Peshwa
The opening credits
Mastani’s entry
The Battle Of Bundelkhand
Mastani’s battle with Nasir Jung
All songs of the film
The intermission point
Kashibai goes to meet Mastani
Mastani at Chhatrapati Shahu’s darbar
Bajirao goes at night to meet Mastani in Satara
Bajirao names Mastani’s son
Bajirao in conflict with Chimaji
Attack on Mastani
Mastani confronts Krishnaji Bhatt
On the whole, Bajirao Mastani is a grand romantic saga that leaves a huge mark with its epic scale, award winning performances, sprawling sets, soulful music and entertaining action scenes. And not to forget, the inherent message is worth it and raises some important questions. The second half and the climax could have been better though. I have no idea how this will fare at the box office but this is surely a film that will be remembered for years. Go for it and experience the legendary adventures of Bajirao!
My rating -* ½
