Bajirao Mastani

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Writers: Nagnath S. Inamdar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Stars: Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan
Strength: Direction, Visuals
Weakness: Shaky first-half
Runtime: 158 minutes
Rating: 4/5

Plot: The tale of romance between an Indian general Bajirao and Mastani, a Muslim princess.

Review: Peshwa Bajirao (Ranveer) stretches the Maratha Empire across 18th century India, fighting Mughals and rivals for Chhattrapati Shahu (Mahesh). Suddenly, Bundelkhand requests protection, Bajirao approached by its half-Muslim princess Mastani (Deepika).

As Bajirao-Mastani fall in love, how does his wife Kashibai (Priyanka) react? And can Bajirao-Mastani battle the bitter opposition they face?

Bajirao Mastani's most outstanding star is its cinematography. Every visual scene resembles a grand painting - courts with shadows and chandeliers, chambers gleaming with mirrors, skies blushing with passion. Certain shots like Bajirao leaping up an elephant easily stamp themselves onto memory.

The movie's battle scenes are grand and complex while its family battles led mostly by Bajirao's Ma Sahab and brother Chimaji are harsh and intense. With his faithful friend Ambaji (Milind) and bitter rival Pratinidhi (Aditya), the story takes great twists and turns like Bajirao's Shaniwar Wada palace, where corridors resound with whispers, and courtyards with clashing tempers and swords.

Ranveer pulls off Bajirao with a finely chiselled physique and glittering eyes, balancing vulnerability and vivaciousness. By comparison, Deepika's Mastani remains muted –her dark eyes drunk on love can be observed sometimes, as well as the fire of a fighter-princess, but the full-blown passion of this lead pair is missing. In contrast, Priyanka impresses as the quiet Kashi who conveys the sorrow of a wife, a lover, a friend, forgotten.

The end is magnificent. The first half is slightly shaky but the second half absolutely mesmerizes. Post-interval, Bhansali imbues every frame with epic, precise passion. His question "What should religion do? Tear us to bits? Or bring us closer?" brings forward a very important issue with deep philosophical roots. A brilliant movie and easily recommended.

Reviewed By Intisab Shahriyar