Bharat Movie Review {3.0}: From Being Human to Being Bharat
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It is again that time of the year when long-awaited celebrations take place …more on-screen than off-screen 😊 Salman Khan’s BHARAT comes gift wrapped on Eid.
Salman’s journey of life runs parallel with India’s journey with numerous heart-breaking downs to exhilarating highs…. from the age of 17 to 70. A novel concept that was inspired by a Korean film, AN ODE TO MY FATHER.
Looks like after blockbuster duds, TUBELIGHT and RACE-3, megastar Salman preferred to be in safe hands of director, Ali Abbas Zafar. Maker of SULTAN and TIGER ZINDA HAI resists getting carried away by superstar’s larger-than-life persona. He has drilled in enough sense and sensibility in BHARAT which has never been a true hallmark of Salman films 😉.
Nevertheless, we do get to see classic ‘Salmanisms’ when his 70 year old character can punch and pulp gang of goons to mince meat or when his Bharat goes overboard with singing national anthem for a recruitment drive or when mouthing paeans of bhaichara with neighbouring country or when someone declaring,” tuzhme poora desh hai, Bharat” ….luckily, this overdoses extreme patriotism are far and few in between.
Majorly BHARAT is a typical family entertainer that wants to drive home the importance of strong family values, domestic relationships and being a good human being first.
Film starts on a post-partition note when 17 year old Bharat, Salman khan, is forced to land in a newly minted independent India . Hereon, this boy lives his full life, fulfilling the promise he gave to his dad. Script wise, his destiny is now entwined with his country as both take tentative steps to build their respective future. And hence as the years roll by we see the transformation of Bharat into various stages of his life. Ali Abbas has sincerely tried to showcase the surrounding changes taking place in a developing nation too but it turns out to be a case of cramping too much in too little time. Result is nothing impresses strong enough to nod our heads in agreement.
But if we are seeking entertainment without much enlightenment than BHARAT is a celebration of love, dosti, yaari, festivals, relations etc etc etc. Right from the beginning, generous doses of naach-gaana , rib tickling humour and fast paced sequences keeps BHARAT on right track.
Even emotional meltdowns are well timed and not stretched beyond our mental limits. Versatile Tabu in a small role leaves a huge impression on us….totally tounge -tied and moist-eyed.
As usual plot starts meandering in second half and never comes to take any grip thereafter. The anticipation of something -will-definitely-happen-in-the-end fails us. Nonetheless, acid tongue Madam-Sir, Katrina Kaif, comes to our rescue. She enters Bharat’s life for good and becomes his tour de force thereafter.
Sunil Grover’s Vilayati is far from intentional comedy and his jovial camaraderie with Salman will be enjoyed by one and all.
Finally, will Bharat be able to fulfil his promises ?? Will he reunite with his loved ones?? are some of the questions best left unanswered.
Call him Showman of Bollywood or the original Superstar, Salman Khan leaves no stone unturned when it comes to entertaining his fans in a ‘clean’ way. Without any double meaning dialogues or any titillating item numbers, BHARAT manages to float above the murk.
This ‘sexy buddha’ called lovingly by Madam-Sir is at his flamboyant best in 70’s. Donning many hats and get-ups within 3 hours, Salman is honest enough to act his age and stay within his ‘acting’ limits.
Katrina Kaif has almost got a life line in form of BHARAT and for a change, she has made full use of this opportunity given up by Priyanka Chopra, of course. And no, she is not overshadowed by any young starlet 😉. She shares a strong chemistry and also some heavy-duty scenes with Salman. A huge improvement only if you excuse her angrez accent 😉.
Sunil Grover is director’s actor if used sensibly. He does not have to make weird faces or wear any weirder wig ( remember Dr Gulati from The Kapil Sharma Show) to make us laugh. He blends well with the mood of the film and does not try hard to be noticed. We would love to see more of him for sure.
Nubile nymphet, Disha Pattani, adds a lot of spunk and colour to the past tense of Bharat’s life. She twirls, twines and pouts just enough to grab your eyeballs but is gone in 60 seconds if you are lusting for more 😊.
Rest of the ensemble including theatre actor, Sonali Kulkarni and others are value-additions to the film. While musically it is a non-starter barring Slow-motion and Chasni ditty.
BHARAT mein dance hai, drama hai, emotion hai, action hai …just keep your logic and rationale at home..enjoy 😊 😊
