‘Bajirao Mastani’ Movie Review- Bollywood Bubble

Directed by: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Produced by: Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Kishore Lulla
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra
Duration: 2 hours 38 minute
Bollywood Bubble Rating: 3.5/5

13 years a back, a story struck Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He was so engrossed into it that he wanted to execute it into a film. It wasn’t just happening. But an artist can’t let go. He glued to it for 13 long years, Now, after watching ‘Bajirao Mastani’, we know that the wait was worth.

Technically, it is a historical film which deals with the love interest of Marathi Warrior Peshwa Bajirao who played a crucial role behind the expansion of Maratha empire. He served as the Peshwa (which literally means Prime Minister) to the fourth Maratha Chhatrapati Shahu. He fell in love with Mastani, the princess of Bundelkhand. The character of Peshwa Bajirao was essayed by Ranveer Singh while Deepika Padukone played Mastani and Bajirao’s wife Kashi Bai was played by Priyanka Chopra.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films leave very little room for us to discuss aesthetics. Including everything from the elegant royal sets to the VFX and the cinematography, ‘Bajirao Mastani’ is nothing less than a pure cinematic treat. However, apart from that, it would be an injustice if we don’t mention the screenplay and music separately.

Prakash Kapadia, with his words, has created magic. Bollywood hardly comes up with such soothing yet deep screenplay which hits the chord inside you straight-away. Sanjay Leela Bhansali himself has composed the songs. It’s nice to see a film-maker donning the hats of a music composer; after ‘Lal Ishq’ and ‘Lahoo Muh Lag Gaya’ from ‘Ram Leela’, ‘Deewani Mastani’ from this film is to be awarded the winner’s crown. Sanchit Balhara’s background scores are equally effective.

If turning points exist, ‘Bajirao Mastani’ has to be the turning point in Ranveer Singh’s career. From the Marathi dialect to the authentic old-age aristocrat Marathi look, he has done it all. Deepika Padukone looks radiant throughout. Priyanka Chopra is apt.

The second half did look a bit dragged which we feel could be cut a little short. Also, we wish Priyanka Chopra was given some more screen space. Without any offence, a few action sequences did look like those of ‘Bahubali’.

To sum it up, don’t look at it as an informative piece. A film-maker always has the artist’s license to narrate story in his manner and to alter facts as per the demand of the script; where imagination meets information. Rather look at it as a piece of art, and it will mesmerise you.

Go watch, highly recommended.

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.