Directors: Abbas-Mustan
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Shilpa Shetty
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his rise toward recognition in the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the greatest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it is star-crossed lovers, gangsters or doomed superheroes, Khan has proven he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s finest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He has often been of those rare actors with the abilities to use his charisma to attract audiences to the theatres. Through his abilities to play characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has created a legacy that’s lasting. Known as the Badshah of Bollywood, Khan has stood the test of time as a great icon in Indian Cinema. Despite reaching the ages of retirement, Khan hasn’t lost his passions for making engaging entertainment. An icon in India, Khan has become a bold actor whose movies commonly attract audiences to the Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has appeared in several unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies which he has made in his career. However, “Baazigar” definitely stands out as his most iconic role. Released back in 1993, Abbas-Mustan’s movie offered a powerful portrait of revenge. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Shah Rukh Khan, playing a vengeful gangster on a mission. Ultimately, what makes “Baazigar” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Bollywood movies made during the 1990’s, it has aged beautifully. A captivating Bollywood classic about the dangers of revenge, there’s many strong reasons why “Baazigar” is a film that is worth watching.
“Baazigar” tells the story of a gangster that seeks revenge causing disaster. Shah Rukh Khan portrays Ajay Sharma, a vengeful man with a vendetta. Ajay has always excelled at committing crimes with which he has gotten away without price to pay. However, Ajay’s life forever changes when he falls in love in a doomed relationship facing disaster. Priya (Kajol) is a charismatic woman with dreams of her own to pursue in India. As all the odds become stacked against Ajay, he questions if it’s possible for him to truly become a cool gangster.
Abbas-Mustan have often been fascinated with the crime genre. A legendary directing duo, Mustan have often made great movies about gangsters facing sorrow. Their iconic movie “Khiladi” offered a powerful portrait of criminals that engage in pranks causing tragedy. With “Baazigar”, however, Abbas-Mustan created their first revenge drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to convey hardships faced by vengeful gangsters that face catastrophe but they succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Abbas-Mustan capture a vengeful businessman embarking on journeys. Evoking Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, Abbas-Mustan effectively use montages to capture businessmen that are in grave danger. For instance, montages elevate the business deal scene. During this memorable scene, Ajay strikes an engaging business deal with criminals facing tension. Through stunning montages, Abbas-Mustan create a portrayal of businessmen which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Aditya Chopra’s “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” suggested, montages enhance romantic films. Nevertheless, they work tremendously. Using stunning visuals, Abbas-Mustan convey tension businessmen are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Baazigar” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies which you will ever watch. Emulating Ramesh Sippy’s “Sholay”, Abbas-Mustan use cross-cutting to create musical scenes that are engaging. For example, the cross-cutting elevates the Baazigar scene. During the tense scene, Ajay sings a melody concerning challenges of being a gangster. Using cross-cutting, Abbas-Mustan creates music sequences that prove to be engaging. Moreover, the musical score is marvellous. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing heavy burden that gangsters bear. Through strong production, Abbas-Mustan captures gangsters facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Baazigar” is a Bollywood movie which is engaging. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the tension gangsters experience. Throughout the film, Abbas-Mustan successfully uses silence to convey gangsters that experience adversity. For instance, silence enhances the businessmen revenge scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ajay faces emotions of grief when he discovers the shocking truth of becoming a gangster. Through silence, Abbas-Mustan create a portrait of revenge audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Karan Kohat’s “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kenna claimed, silence enhances Bollywood movies about broken families. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Abbas-Mustan captures vengeful gangsters facing tensions today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his best performances as Ajay Sharma. Khan first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Baazigar”, however, Khan took upon his most tricky role. It isn’t easy to portray an evil gangster that seeks vengeance, but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, bold and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentment faced by a gangster on a mission. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the finest actors in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Shah Rukh Khan, the supporting cast is excellent and worthy of appreciation. Kajol is captivating, bringing soul to a woman falling in love with a gangster causing her life to spiral out of control. Shilpa Shetty is spectacular, capturing the fierce personality of a woman that battles crime on TV. Lastly, Johnny Lever merits appreciation. As usual, he brings hilarious comical relief to these films.
Finally, “Baazigar” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing gangsters which are in danger. Unlike most Bollywood films made in the 1990’s which are outdated, it has aged beautifully today. The film tackles strong themes including bravery, crime and mental health which would resonate among everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Indian cultures to admire it. Therefore, “Baazigar” is one of those rare Bollywood movies everyone will adore.
Fans of Shah Rukh Khan will absolutely love “Baazigar” and so would audiences which seek meaningful entertainment. A riveting Bollywood crime drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about bold businessmen seeking vengeance for crime they experience, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that has built a legacy by his ability to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which attract a huge audience.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 