Bajirao Mastani Review

Description:
Time and again one sees that the core subject of a film is perfect, the director competent and the narrative flawless. However, it is the choice of actors that spoils the show. Now there isnt anything more disheartening than that. However, in case of Bajirao Mastani, what works perfectly well is the cast. With Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra at his disposal, Sanjay Leela Bhansali gets it truly right, as far as letting his actors play the historic characters perfectly well on screen.

So Ranveer Singh is truly Bajirao the moment he enters the frame in the very first minute of the film. There are no doubts whatsoever when Deepika Padukone turns into a warrior, dancer and lover Mastani. As for Priyanka Chopra, she is Kashibai the moment she is introduced on screen as Ranveers playful wife. It is this wonderful combination of actors that make Bajirao Mastani an affair that could well have stayed suppressed in the history books, had Bhansali not cast them together to bring on the story before the audience.

Let the fact be stated first Bajirao Mastani is an out and out love story, a triangular one at that, what with more than 70% of the playing time centered on that. The war sequences are limited as there is one that comes right at the start (fantastic), then in the middle portion and then towards the preclimax. While it does give a grandeur appeal to the narrative, it is restricted and hence for those who were expecting the film to have a 5050 ratio of battlefield action and romance, the expectations would need a reset.

As for establishing the love story, it is quite quick as Priyanka is already shown as Ranveers wife while there isnt much that Deepika has to invest before taken in by Ranveer as his second wife. The film is primarily about what happens after the love story is established. This is where the coming together of familial opposition (courtesy Bajiraos mother played by Tanvi Azmi), politics of religion and inhouse conflicts keeps the tension intact.

While Ranveer battles it out more within the house than outside it, Bhansali does bring in other subplots around winning over other kingdoms and statements made by religious bodies. However, at the core of it all, what one gets to see is the heartbreak that Bajirao has to go through in his quest to provide a legitimate status of wife for Mastani.

One just wishes though that the narrative was a little simpler in approach as at times, one can see jumps in timeframe and there is no real visibility around joining the dots. Moreover, after his initial endeavor to win over the entire Hindustan, the character of Bajirao isnt seen as much on the battlefield or developing strategies. It is apparent that Bhansali primarily wanted to concentrate on the love story element (and hence the title too), which is understandable. However, for a film with an epic status attached to it, an added dose of action would have helped.

Nonetheless, when it comes to performances, it is as flawless as it gets. While a lot has been said about Ranveer and his action sequences, what catches you by complete surprise is the authenticity he demonstrates in his language, accent and body language. He gets the flavor perfectly right and is a revelation. He is taking a large number of risks and they are paying off well as well.

Deepika shows once again that she can fluctuate well between the different worlds of Piku, Chennai Express, Tamasha and now Bajirao Mastani with utmost ease. She is wonderful and gets an entirely new diction, body language and mannerisms for the part. One looks forward to so much more from her in years to come.

As for Priyanka Chopra, she makes a statement once again that as someone with great experience behind her, there is so much more that she can still surprise one with. She is brilliant in her performance and is not at all a second fiddle in this tale. She maintains her dignity as the first wife and holds her own right through in a part that has equal screen time as that of Deepika.

Considering the fact that this is a Bhansali show, even a simple story like this is meted with lavish treatment, due to which very frame has an artistic impression to it. That is reflected through sets, locations, cinematography, props, costumes the works. Nothing is meant to be ordinary in the world created by Bhansali and thankfully, given the era that the story belongs to as well as the stage and setting of the Peshwas, it all comes naturally, hence not appearing as on your face or forced.

This one is for a big screen viewing.