BOTTOM LINE
Not to be missed.
OUR RATING
3.5/5
CENSOR
“U” Certified, 158 Mins.
What is the film about?
As the title reads the film is about the love story between Bajirao and Mastani. How family and religion becomes a problem for them and they achieve immortality through love is the shown in a grand way.
How is Ranveer Singh’s performance?
At first it looks too big a role for a young actor like Ranveer to carry. But as we get into the proceedings we completely forget the actor and are simply looking at the character, he is that involved. In many a scenes he shows a restrained yet strong emotion without going overboard. In the end Ranveer makes sure that film of a lifetime also turns out to be memorable for his performance.
Direction By Sanjay Leela Bhansali?
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a master craftsman and his craft is visible in each and every frame of the film. The biggest strength of the film is director avoids his usual pitfalls related to over indulgence. Once he keeps that in check Bajirao Mastani is a roller-coaster ride of emotional journey. The visual artistry of Bhansali needs no special mention, every frame of the film looks picture perfect. Overall it’s the best film coming from the director after a long time where there is a perfect match between visual and content.
Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and other artists?
Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone play the other important central roles in the film apart from Ranveer and they too much like the actor live the roles. Priyanka as Kaahibai plays the soft and docile wife with the perfect piousness. The act therefore helps us connect big time during the emotional pay offs. Deepika on the other hand plays a completely contrasting character and she too lives it till the end. Together these three characters provide the heart and soul of the film.
But the film is not made all by these three characters. There is a superb ensemble cast besides titular characters like Tanvi Azmi playing mother of Bajirao, Vaibhav Tatwawdi, Mahesh Manjrekar and Milind Soman etc.
Music and other departments?
Music for the film is provided by director Sanjay Leela Bhansali himself and he has done a great job with it. Even the background is powerful complementing the visuals and drama on screen. Editing of the film could have been better without any doubt. The pace is slow at many points. Cinematography is fantastic and so is the art work. Technically the film has no blemish at all except for weak special effects during some sequences.
Highlights?
Story.
Direction.
Performances.
Visual spectacle.
Music and dialogues.
Drawbacks?
Slow pace throughout.
Muddled narration at times.
Few special effects.
Too many songs.
How is Telugu dubbing?
Dubbing of the film is fine and doesn’t cause an hindrance in the enjoyment. Well, except for the songs.
Alternative Take
Bajirao Mastani is a unique product and an alternative take to this would be an impossible task. May be a different casting but that’s about it.
Did I enjoy it?
Yes.
Will you recommend it?
Yes.
Bajirao Mastani Review by Siddhartha
