The film Bajirao Mastani is an imaginative story of Bajirao (Ranveer Singh) the Peshwa Pune and Bundelkhand Princess Mastani (Deepika Padukone) who is an expert dancer as she is a warrior. As there is very less recorded history of Mastani, the whole story can be seen as director’s world.
Love emerges uninvited between Bajirao and Mastani. But then Bajirao has a wife Kashibai ( Priyanka Chopra) and Mastani is Muslim. It is not acceptable to Peshwa clan. The sub plots take birth and small battles of upmanship take places with under current of frustration and unrequited revolt. The rest is the purity and the high decibel passionate love Mastani and Bajirao have for each other. The second half is where the director loses almost the complete plot. The equal treatment for both wives is demanded and denied. The two sons are born almost at the similar period and their treatment differs. Bajirao, undefeated in 40 battles loses the first battle when the director tries to wrap it up with an over dramatized synchronised death of Bajirao and Mastani as an epitome of pure love.
There are abrupt movements and many questionable treatment of the equation three main cast share. But that is the directors view point and visualisation. You may hate it but you will agree that he does it with complete conviction.
Oh in the era of tolerance and colouring of religion the dramatic statement “Duniya ka har dharm mohabbat sikhata hai, Mohabbat ka koi dharm nahi hota. Mohabbat khud hi dharm hai” (All religions teach love, love has no religion and it is a religion in itself) seems lukewarm. In earlier days it would have drawn whistle and coins on the screen. But unfortunately audience like that are no longer there.
The film may be branded slow but I believe it was just the apt pace needed for the story.
Ranveer as Bajirao is so good that you come out believing no one else could have played him better. I waited through out
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the movie for a false step or when the straight back will sag a bit- and it was futile wait. His eye does a lot of talking. He uses his smile as an additional weapon in sending out messages. A powerful act by any standard.
Deepika- other than a few places where she tries to sound lyrical with the dialogue seems a misfit- but as a warrior dancer princess fully immersed in love- she is a perfect cast. She is someone who brings life to every scene. There is a definitive chemistry that Ranveer and Deepika share and is that so much in display.
Priyanka as Kashi is a perfect Maharashtrian and has her own few moments of glory. But she has a less scope to do much and remains a good second lead. .
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Someone not to be missed is Tanvi Azmi playing the role of Bajirao’s mother. She steals the show whenever she is there on the screen. The hard resolve, determination and shrewdness is amply projected in those eyes.
Mahesh Manjrekar (Chhatrasal Shahu) has a short role and he sleepwalks in it to perfection. Vaibhav Tatwawdi as Bajirao’s brother Chimaji does good enough. Milind Soman as Bajirao’s friend keeps to the role that is underplayed and yet crucial for the movie.
The film has nice choreography, nice music, good enough songs- but unfortunately has weak dialogues and over dramatization. The sets are grand but many places tacky for the well informed audience to see the difference. The reel world remains a reel world and never becomes the real world you want it to be.
STARCAST Bajirao Mastani: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Tanvi Azmi DIRECTOR Sanjay Leela Bhansali
