Bajirao Mastani is a Magnus Opus, there are no two opinions on that, its Sanjay Leela Bhansali's most ambitious project, he waited almost 15 years to make this project,but does the film live up to its huge expectations people hold(especially after viewing the trailer). Well honestly even after watching the film, I don't have a clear answer. BM shows brilliance at many instances, the film is almost a tribute to Mughal-E-Azam, because the sets, the colours,the production values are some of the best you will seen in any Hindi film. The film is so beautiful that one can't take there eye off the screen. SLB is a cinematic genius when it comes to creating the time of yore. BM is based on the true story of Bajirao, Mastani, and Kasha Bai, but since I don't know any accurate details of there lives,I don't know how accurate the history is. The film also boast of some of the best action I have seen on the Indian screen, and how can one forget about, the career best performances of all the leads. The music perfectly blends in with the theme of the film. BM has so many positives, however the film does falter a bit and comes short of a masterpiece. But honestly hats off to SLB the modern day K Asif.
Story wise BM takes off with Bajirao being appointed the Peshwa. Soon, Mastani seeks his help to save her kingdom. Although Bajirao is already married to Kashibai,love blossoms between Bajirao and Mastani.
Acting wise Ranveer Singh lived the role of a Martha Warrior Bajirao, hats off to Ranveer to giving a performance of a life time so early in his career. I applaud him, for his career best act, watch out for the scene when he goes into his final battle alone, that scene is pure cinematic genius Well what can I say about Deepika Padrone who before this film I regarded as one of the best actress alive, she just adds to her resume with BM, and this might be one of her best acts ever. Her action scenes are on par with Ranveer, she emotes like no other, and she is also extremely elegant during the whole runtime. Priyanka Chopra steals the show whenever she is on screen, she also just keeps on touching new heights with every act. Watch out for the confrontation between her and Deepika before the Pingaa song, her anger and frustration burns the screen on fire. Other than the main leads Tanvi Azmi impresses with her menacing act, she is downright unforgiving and cruel as the widowed highly religious mother of Bajirao.
BM is a forbidden/tragic love story. Things such as hindu, Muslim, being the 2nd wife, having a illicit relationship are all very important topics touched upon in this historical love story, and all this done in proper way without hurting any sentiments.Actually one most note that for a film based almost 200-300 years back Bajirao and co were very forwarding thinking, and these topics make the film thought provoking at many instances, especially the religious elements. But at the heart of the film BM is a tragic love story of two warriors, who were hated but all, but loved deeply. SLB gets all the emotions in the film right, one feels for all three of leads in the film. The angst, the sorrow, the love, the longing, all these emotion are on full display in the film. SLB gets the best out of his actors and the chemistry between Ranveer and Deepika is as good as her's with Ranbir and thats say a lot. BM is quite possibly the most expensive (or one of the most)film ever made in the Hindi film industry and it shows, it easily one of the most beautiful, most elegant film I have seen. Your eyes will light up while seeing these modern day Mughal-E-Azam type Sheesh Mahals, SLB paints the most beautiful painting on screen. The film has two main action scenes which are some of the best action sequences ever seen in bollywood, Ranveer's last battle fight is the films highlight like I mentioned before. Nobody comes up with, or shoots songs as well as SLB, Deewani Maastani is my favourite, but whole film has instant classic songs, that are shot as beautifully as can be .The VFX is done well too.Now one might think with so much going for BM that the film is a masterpiece well it falls short and this is because of the story/screenplay. While the story was apt, the films timeline was totally muddled,for example we at one instance see Bajirao's kids being born and then all of sudden there already walking and talking. At one instance there is a battle going on, and then all of a sudden Mastani is in Pune. SLB portrays years like days. The film also after interval moves very slow at snails pace, and until the pre-climax not much happens . The climax of BM is very weird, and though I could understand it, its too poetic for the regular cinema going audience to accept. These are some minor blemishes, but when making a Magnum Opus these things need to be taken care. Seem as though SLB was rushed to finish the film on the pre Xmas date (by the producers), if more time given these flaw would have been done with I believe. But still the genius SLB needs to applauded for what he has created, a film like this,is rarely seen on the Indian screen.
Overall Bajirao Mastani is a must watch for all, to see a spectacle however the minor flaws it has, this tragic love story needs to be watched to learn about the forgotten Indian history and also to feel the lovers angst through SLB's eyes, his cinema needs to be encouraged,to get more beautiful films like BM.
3.5/5* or 7/10
Story wise BM takes off with Bajirao being appointed the Peshwa. Soon, Mastani seeks his help to save her kingdom. Although Bajirao is already married to Kashibai,love blossoms between Bajirao and Mastani.
Acting wise Ranveer Singh lived the role of a Martha Warrior Bajirao, hats off to Ranveer to giving a performance of a life time so early in his career. I applaud him, for his career best act, watch out for the scene when he goes into his final battle alone, that scene is pure cinematic genius Well what can I say about Deepika Padrone who before this film I regarded as one of the best actress alive, she just adds to her resume with BM, and this might be one of her best acts ever. Her action scenes are on par with Ranveer, she emotes like no other, and she is also extremely elegant during the whole runtime. Priyanka Chopra steals the show whenever she is on screen, she also just keeps on touching new heights with every act. Watch out for the confrontation between her and Deepika before the Pingaa song, her anger and frustration burns the screen on fire. Other than the main leads Tanvi Azmi impresses with her menacing act, she is downright unforgiving and cruel as the widowed highly religious mother of Bajirao.
BM is a forbidden/tragic love story. Things such as hindu, Muslim, being the 2nd wife, having a illicit relationship are all very important topics touched upon in this historical love story, and all this done in proper way without hurting any sentiments.Actually one most note that for a film based almost 200-300 years back Bajirao and co were very forwarding thinking, and these topics make the film thought provoking at many instances, especially the religious elements. But at the heart of the film BM is a tragic love story of two warriors, who were hated but all, but loved deeply. SLB gets all the emotions in the film right, one feels for all three of leads in the film. The angst, the sorrow, the love, the longing, all these emotion are on full display in the film. SLB gets the best out of his actors and the chemistry between Ranveer and Deepika is as good as her's with Ranbir and thats say a lot. BM is quite possibly the most expensive (or one of the most)film ever made in the Hindi film industry and it shows, it easily one of the most beautiful, most elegant film I have seen. Your eyes will light up while seeing these modern day Mughal-E-Azam type Sheesh Mahals, SLB paints the most beautiful painting on screen. The film has two main action scenes which are some of the best action sequences ever seen in bollywood, Ranveer's last battle fight is the films highlight like I mentioned before. Nobody comes up with, or shoots songs as well as SLB, Deewani Maastani is my favourite, but whole film has instant classic songs, that are shot as beautifully as can be .The VFX is done well too.Now one might think with so much going for BM that the film is a masterpiece well it falls short and this is because of the story/screenplay. While the story was apt, the films timeline was totally muddled,for example we at one instance see Bajirao's kids being born and then all of sudden there already walking and talking. At one instance there is a battle going on, and then all of a sudden Mastani is in Pune. SLB portrays years like days. The film also after interval moves very slow at snails pace, and until the pre-climax not much happens . The climax of BM is very weird, and though I could understand it, its too poetic for the regular cinema going audience to accept. These are some minor blemishes, but when making a Magnum Opus these things need to be taken care. Seem as though SLB was rushed to finish the film on the pre Xmas date (by the producers), if more time given these flaw would have been done with I believe. But still the genius SLB needs to applauded for what he has created, a film like this,is rarely seen on the Indian screen.
Overall Bajirao Mastani is a must watch for all, to see a spectacle however the minor flaws it has, this tragic love story needs to be watched to learn about the forgotten Indian history and also to feel the lovers angst through SLB's eyes, his cinema needs to be encouraged,to get more beautiful films like BM.
3.5/5* or 7/10