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| 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: 17th 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)
