What is it all about
Jai Salman Vali. Its deshbhakti, bhaichara, dosti, pyaar, and Salman Mubarak this Eid. SKF, Eros and Rockline Venkatesh most awaited Eid Bonanaza ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ is a three ace winner that finds Salman Khan giving his emotional best, Kabir Khan helming his most far-reaching, sensitive and powerful entertainer till date and an undisputed little bundle of ‘Hanuman’numa talent Harshaali Malhotra as Munni.
A cool ‘samjotha’ (compromise) on Salman Khan’s massy macho ‘Dabangg’ and ‘Wanted’ ‘Kicks’ this ‘kirtan’ of Indo –Pak Milan. ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ is beautifully crafted, sentimental, and occasionally humorous ‘sheer kurma’ the whole family wants to eat.
Destined to sing bhajans of box office success, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ is set to write its victory ‘chalisa’ in the history of bollywood.
The Story
V. Vijayendra Prasad’s simple and emotional story of a speechless 6-7 year old Munni/Shahida (Harshaali Malhotra) from Pakistan finds herself lost in India. The cute little lovely eyes the famous Kurukshetra born staunch Bajrang Bali bhakth (devotee) – Salman Khan (Bajrangi) as the only hope. This popular good at heart village yokel has its own story to tell and honest ways to do things in the right manner and virtue.
Kabir Khan, V. Vijayendra Prasad, Parveez Shaikh and Asad Hussain tell us this tale with all the known clichés but with a surprise no anti India/Pakistan venoms. Dip it with all the known and identifiable feel good emotions and remarkably keeps it away from any sugarcoating but winningly float it with patriotisms and bhaichara.
Significant Highlights
Seamless blending of love, neighborhood and brotherhood emotions with technical brilliance and storytelling verve, ‘Kabir Khan with ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ this time hits the Bulls eye and overcomes his previous ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ emotional woes with a human and a unique two way patriotism touch.
No wonder the Pakistani’s will find it encouragingly positive and the Indians will be stolen by this emotionally pleasing thunder.
Seriously.. it’s not serious.. an Indo Pak bhaichara attempt is suppose to be dealt with care and there is a constant danger of the maker taking a side to make his point..but here even in its clichéd, commercial and occasional buffoonery ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ walks the sharp edgy path with its sheer innocence, charm and one point agenda to entertain and not to educate, preach or go political.
Making brilliant use of the exceptional talent of the lovely Harshaali Malhotra as Munni Kabir Khan delivers an entertainer which a notch above in its cross border emotional ace.
Salman Khan as Bajrangi is an instant stealer. Giving a knockout punch as the honest good hearted Lord Hanuman’s staunch devotee. Salman Khan as Bajrangi looks and feels just right. Shedding away the action and machoisims with ‘real’ heroisms and humanisims that go perfect with the superstar’s persona Salman Khan wins your heart with an extra beat.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the Pakistani journalist brings the house down. His character cooks an effective and balanced push to the proceedings having its humorous and serious turns.
A small but brilliant cameo by Om Puri serves as a delight.
Technically well done. Aseem Mishra’s lensing is lyrical. Production design by Rajnish Hedao is strong and adds to the helmer’s conviction in conveying the emotion especially while capturing Pakistan. Julius Packiam’s background score go well with the mood.
Pritam Chakraborty’s songs are already catching up. The popular Selfie and the soulful qawali ‘Bhar Do jholi’ and the touchy ‘Zindagi’ are pick of the lot.
Rameshwar S. Bhagat editing is apt.
What not
Salman Kareena romance is the weakest link. Suffers from known clichés, predictability and make belief theories.
Conclusion: Bajrangi Bhaijaan is a charmingly patriotic, entertainingly cool and emotionally heartfelt fable on love, bhaichara and neighbourhood. Having Salman Khan giving his emotional best in recent times. Very strongly recommended.
