Movie Review: Bajirao Mastani

Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movies are always a treat for the eyes; visually stunning, well-directed and you understand the kind of effort that must have gone into making the movie. Bhansali is a creative genius. No second thought. But there is a flip side to it. Creative people can often get over-indulgent.

‘Bajirao Mastani’ tells us the love story of a warrior with his second wife.It emphasizes that love knows no religion; it is a religion in itself. Noble thought indeed. It also has three immensely talented actors. Ranveer Singh is fantastic and only getting more versatile with his choice of roles. I see him as the best actor among his contemporaries and a huge superstar in the making. Deepika Padukone continues to look drop dead gorgeous and plays her role wonderfully but even then, Priyanka Chopra steals the show from her as a wronged wife. The supporting cast is strong.

But there isn’t romance in the romance between Bajirao and Mastani. I couldn’t seem to feel for the characters much. There is just no movement in plot, the drama goes overboard at times and it’s too long. An emotionally manipulative climax might want you to leave the hall with a feeling of watching a nice movie but ‘Bajirao Mastani’ is no classic.

I was thoroughly disappointed with the maverick director’s last release ‘Ram-Leela’. This one is still better. Watch it for the performances.

• About the Author

About Abhirup Dhar

I don't watch movies... I live them! Let me introduce myself. Abhirup Dhar was born in Kolkata and is still being brought up in India. A banker by profession, he is filmy to the core and is passionate about reviewing movies and writing. He likes to live on his own… he likes to be blunt, sarcastic, famous, infamous, confident, over-confident, moody at times… he likes to be himself. He is imperfect because perfection is boring. His love for movies dates back to his childhood days when he studied in a boarding school. A three-month Winter Vacation every year… and he made sure he watched as many movies then. Parents thought it was a phase... he knew it was Passion and he knew it back then itself. The craziness to watch movies on the Big Screen began during the last two years of school when he literally bunked to town so that he could catch up with the new Hindi Movie releases. Some thought he was plain crazy. He confirmed it was Passion... yet again. The hard fact is that not always can you walk a path you are passionate about. You have expectations to fulfill and Life to be made. But Life gives you chances and you have to grab them. So... here is he... your friendly critic who will be giving you his Verdict every week so that you can decide which release is worth your moolah and which is not! See you at the Movies! Stay connected at Facebook and Twitter!