Bajirao Mastani (Hindi) (2015)

At the outset, let us first tip our hat or in fact give a standing ovation to a few people involved in Bajirao Mastani.  Fistly – Sriram Kannan Iyengar, Sujeet Subhash Sawant, Yantra Design Studio and Saloni Ankush Dhatrak for some breathtaking Production Design – probably the best we have seen since Mughal-e-Azam!!!

And secondly – Maxima Basu & Anju Modi for giving us costumes that will leave a lasting impression on the audiences. Without these names, Bajirao Mastani would not have turned out as grand as you will see it.  Both teams have created a cinematic experience that is best enjoyed on the big screen.  I can watch it again just for these two aspects.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali once again shows that when he makes them he makes them big!!! I cannot say that he spares no expense even though he has spent ₹120 crores in making Bajirao Mastani.  He could have definitely improved upon the Visual Effects – remember that the benchmark now is a certain S S Rajamouli or Bahubali fame.

Bajirao Mastani – for those who are unaware – is the romantic epic of Peshwa (General / Prime Minister) Bajirao Balla Bhat (aka Bajirao I) and his second wife Mastani.  For those unaware of the legend here is some quick reading that will put to rest some of the unnecessary controversy surrounding the release - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bajirao_I.

The story traces Bajirao’s (Ranvir Singh) ascent as a Peshwa to Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj (Mahesh Manjrekar).  His ascent as a general leads to the famed battle of Bundelkhand where he meets Mastani (Deepika Padukone).  Bajirao is already married to Kashibai (Priyanka Chopra) but cannot help but fall for Mastani who follows him home to Pune.  Society, however, doesn’t accept the relationship at any cost.

Bhansali’s recreation of the sets includes aspects such as the famed Aaina Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), the Bundelkhand fort and of course Shaniwarwada.  Apparently the costumes used weighed upwards of 10 kgs at times – not much when you consider other records in Bollywood but a compliment to the actors who carried them (literally).

This has to be undoubtedly Ranvir Singh’s best performance to date.  He has definitely immersed himself into the character.  The strong Maratha accent cannot be missed.  More importantly, he maintains it throughout the movie.  Deepika and Priyanka are good for sure but the two performances which stand out other than Ranvir would be those of Tanvi Azmi as Maa Saheb and .... wait for it…. Milind Soman as Ambaji Panth.

While Bhansali gets a lot right, Bajirao is not without flaws.  Unnecessary, over the top props like Mandolins in Deewani Mastani and of course the most useless song in a long time – Pinga – leave you with a feeling that Bhansali is probably as eccentric as they claim.  There was just no reason to get these two eye sores in.  More importantly, Pinga, completely dilutes what could have been a great scene between Mastani and Kashibai.

A little over eight years back, if memory serves, SLB and SRK had a stand-off which SRK won hands down.  Bhansali can now comfortably say that the score has been settled.  It’s all even after Bajirao trumps a dud called Dilwale.  I wish I had reviewed this 24 hours earlier, could have saved some of you some more money.  My rating – 7 on 10 – which could have easily been more but for some gaffes.

Watch the trailer on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHOc-4D7MjY