Yahoo Movies Review: Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Cast: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Harshaali Malhotra, Om Puri, Rakesh Sharma
Direction: Kabir Khan
Rating: *** ½
Kabir Khan could not have timed his film better – a positive spin on Indo-Pak relations, helmed by Salman Khan and an Eid release – this Bollywood film has success written all over it. Also, this is just the right time to see our invincible Dabangg Khan’s ‘being human’ side – naïve and almost vulnerable.
I must say that it is also really a bold move by Kabir Khan – making a Salman Khan film devoid of the usual Salmantricks, sure needs some spunk. Every recent film of his has Bhaijaan beat his enemies to a pulp and well-choreographed action sequences often in Matrix-style slow motion have exemplified how indomitable he always is. And yet, the slo-mo sequences in ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ are used for a very different purpose - it personifies his candour and almost puerile perception of the world.
The shy smile, the acceptance that he has never been good at anything, the waiting for approval – all of this is completely contrary to the image of Salman Khan that we all have. In fact, the first half of ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ proceeds at such a languid pace that for a while I was afraid that a die-hard Sallu fan would find it very difficult to accept him in this role. But Salman has been in this trade for far too long.
He knows how to charm his audience – he knows the right time to flex his muscles, the right time to flash the disarming smile and also, the right moment to unabashedly shed tears for the little damsel in distress. He pitches a near-perfect portrayal – reminiscent of the Salman of yore – the one we had seen in films like ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ and ‘Khamoshi’.
It’s quite obvious that our director Kabir Khan did not just want to just ride on Salman Khan’s brand value. The supporting cast belts out a robust portrayal. The locales, meticulously handpicked to furnish the relevant backdrop for this plot. He mercifully refrains from cringe-worthy jingoism.
What really slows the pace of this film is a completely insipid romantic track, much like the one we had seen in ‘Bodyguard’. The lead pair neither sizzles together nor is this an adorable tale. Kareena is a mere prop in the entire scheme of things.
While the first half had me wondering where the film was headed, the second half really delivers on its promise. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s entry as Chand Nawab, a Pakistani journalist, infuses new energy into this tale. As a stringer trying to get the national media’s attention on a human-interest story, he essays a nuanced performance. His eye is on every detail - from the way he is holding his little handycam to capture the little elements to tell a good news story to the rising desperation in his voice as he is trying to tell an impassioned tale about his protagonist. Nawazuddin just nails this performance.
You may sometimes think that he is blending with the background but he is not only brilliant, he essays a most memorable part in this film.
Kabir Khan’s ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ is complete paisa vasool. It is not only the lost Pakistani girl’s (Harshaali Malhotra) innocent eyes that tug at your heartstrings, our director makes sure that he gives you enough moments when you find yourself clapping, whistling or wiping a tear away.
Eid Mubarak ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, this one will sure set the cash registers ringing.
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