Review of Bajrangi Bhaijaan

Image Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org

Cast: Salman Khan (Pavan Kumar Chaturvedi aka Bajrangi), Kareena Kapoor (Rasika), Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Chand Nawab), Harshaali Malhotra (Munni aka Shahida), Najeem Khan, Ali Quli Mirza, Deepti Naval, Om Puri, Sharat Saxena, Adnan Sami (Special Appearance)

Direction: Kabir Khan

Produced by: Salman Khan, Rockline Venkatesh

Written by: Kabir Khan (Dialogue), Kausar Munir (Additional Dialogue)

Screenplay: Kabir Khan, V Vijayendra Prasad, Parveez Shaikh, Asad Hussain

Story : V Vijayendra Prasad

Music: Pritam Chakraborty, Komail Shayan (KK), Background score – Julius Packiam

Cinematography: Aseem Mishra

Edited by: Rameshwar S Bhagat

Production Company: Salman Khan Films, Kabir Khan Films

Distributed by: Eros International

Release Date: 17^th July, 2015

Duration: 154 minutes

Language: Hindi

When it is a Salman Khan movie, generally people don’t even wait for the review or even want to have a look at reviews. He is indeed a massive crowd puller. I have loved him in many of his early days’ movies viz. Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Hum Sath Sath Hain etc. At the same time, I have not so much enjoyed his few of latest releases viz. Jai Ho, Dabbang 2, Ready, Kick etc. Although these movies were super hits and did major business at box office, I did feel that the power and charisma of Salman Khan were responsible for the same in comparison to the film. But here, we have a movie after a gap of few years – Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which is definitely very nicely presented. I liked most parts of the movie. Indeed there are certain scenes, where one wonders, whether this is really believable. But overall, the movie has blend of so many wonderful emotions, dialogues, screenplay which makes the whole plot of Bajrangi Bhaijaan touch your hearts. Kabir Khan has definitely given some good movies in the past – Kabul Express, New York and Ek Tha Tiger. With Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kabir Khan has explored the hate story of India-Pakistan in a new manner. The name of the movie is also thoughtfully crafted where the message is to grow beyond the concept of borders, be secular, accept the diversity of religion / culture / habits. The whole story can be summed up in two lines, but the beauty of the movie is in its screenplay, how it is presented. Certain dialogues, moments are surely going to generate lot of emotions, sighs, good feelings, sense of loss, sense of wanting to be together, desire to get rid of the borders, break the barriers etc. There is so much innocence as well in the movie. Many hard core realities are conveyed in a very subtle manner. So many social issues are also addressed in this film in a subtle manner viz. child trafficking, religious barriers, patriotism (on either sides of the border), corruption etc. The need to transform one’s own thoughts and to accept others without being judgmental is also beautifully projected. The showstopper scene is of course the climax scene. I am not revealing the same, I know, all of you are going to love the same.

The film begins with credits shown in the backdrop of beautiful visuals of mountains. The opening scene is in Pakistan occupied Kashmir where people are sitting and watching a cricket match between India and Pakistan on TV. Of course there is jubilation when Pakistan wins. One of the spectator is a pregnant woman who is fond of cricketer Shahid and wants to name her yet to be born child after him. Then the frames move to 6 years later, where the lady is shown in her family with a pretty girl child named Shahida (Harshaali Malhotra). Shahida is a mute girl. Parents are advised to visit Hazarat Nizamuddin Dargah, Delhi, since the belief is that every prayer is answered over there and miracle can be expected for Shahida’s case as well so that she starts speaking. Father being an ex-military person can’t get visa to India and so mother determines to take Shahida to Delhi. India- Pakistan Samjhauta express takes them to Delhi and they visit the wish-fulfillment Dargah. But things go wrong on their return. Shahida just gets down when the train was stationery for a pretty long time and ends up missing her train. Unable to cry for help, she gets stranded and lost in Kurukshetra. Her family is troubled in Pakistan.

This is where entry of Pawan Kumar Chaturvedi aka Bajrangi (Salman Khan) happens with ‘selfie’ song. Shahida is so expressive through her awestruck eyes and the way she follows Pawan. Pawan is a Hanuman devotee and that is how he proudly introduces himself as Bajrangi. He even bows in front of monkey since monkey is a form of Hanuman for him. It is really great to see Pawan and Shahida develop a great bond. Pawan develops a unique way to decode Shahida’s response by her raising hand for every correct answer.

Pawan is shown to be a person whose integrity lies in being true and honest to the core. He has come from his home town to Delhi to be with his late father’s friend and family. Rasika (Kareena Kapoor) becomes his love interest.

Pawan assumes Shahida to be a Brahman girl just because she is so fair and starts calling her Munni. It is hilarious as well as very nice to see that a person who is a hardcore Hindu, a vegetarian when learns that Munni is a Muslim from Pakistan, a non-vegetarian, breaks all boundaries and crosses borders to make her reach safely at her place.

Challenges were many on his path, since her whereabouts were not clear. No entry to the country officially. In spite of all odds, how Pawan makes Rasika reach her destination is awesome. Good Samaritans like Chand Nawab (Nawazuddin), a reporter, Maulana (Ompuri) and a Bus conductor definitely help him in his journey.

Indeed there are certain unrealistic scenes in the film, but one tends to ignore the same since overall the film is well packaged, be it its theme of Indo-Pak enmity, the bond of love etc.

The real star of the show is Harshaali Malhotra. Without uttering a word, she has expressed it so well through her eyes, body language, mannerisms. Simply superb! Her smile is going to win your hearts. Salman has underplayed himself, which would definitely make you fall in love with him. Kareena has a small role but very much likeable. Another star is Nawazuddin who again wins hearts with his effortless and natural performance.

There are so many moments which need a special mention. But as mentioned earlier, the show stopper scene is the climax scene. I sincerely wished, why can’t India and Pakistan be family again.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan endorses the religion of Humanity, Love and Togetherness!!! A perfect Eidi from Salman Khan!!! It is an entertainer and inspires us to accept the diversity, culture and habits across the border and love them. Bajrangi Bhaijaan will definitely win your hearts.

Rating: 4/5 ( Very Good)