Director: Abbas-Mustan
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Twinkle Khanna and Amrish Puri
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his recognition in the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the greatest actors in the 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 crafted in his career. However, “Baadshah” absolutely stands out as being his funniest film. Released in 1999, Abbas-Mustan’s movie offered a powerful portrait of comical detectives. Packed with brilliant musical sequences, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a breathtaking Bollywood crime classic. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Shah Rukh Khan, who embodies a detective that solves a murder. Although “Baadshah” is a captivating Bollywood crime drama, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from uneven pacing that tests viewers’ patience. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment which would satisfy fans of SRK.
“Baadshah” tells the story of a small-town detective that struggles to run an agency in India. Shah Rukh Khan plays Baadshah, a clever detective with talent for solving dark crimes causing a dilemma. Baadshah has always excelled at solving murders without facing any problems. However, Baadshah’s life forever changes when he is mistaken as a CBI agent causing disaster. Embroiled in a dangerous mission, Baadshah embarks on an adventure to save the Chief Minister of India from an assassination. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Baadshah is forced to question his love for a profession he used to treasure.
Abbas-Mustan have often been fascinated with tales of criminals in danger. A brilliant directing duo, the brothers have often made engaging crime movies. Their iconic movie “Baazigar” offered a powerful portrait of a vengeful businessman whose life is in grave danger. With “Baadshah”, however, Abbas-Mustan made their first detective film. It was the filmmakers’ first attempt to capture the lives of detectives facing adversity running an agency but they succeeded. Emulating David Fincher’s “Se7en”, Abbas-Mustan use engaging low-key lighting to capture tension detectives are facing. For instance, the low-key lighting enhanced the mistaken identity scene. During this intense scene, Baadshah is mistaken for being a CBI agent in a tense situation. Using engrossing low-key lighting, Abbas-Mustan craft a portrait of detectives that’s engaging. Low-key lighting is a tricky technique. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Don” proved clearly, low-key lighting elevates Bollywood movies about cruel gangsters. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Abbas-Mustan convey hardships detectives are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Baadshah” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood crime films that you will ever see. Abbas-Mustan have often excelled staging musical sequences for their films, and their strengths are clearly evident in “Baadshah”. Abbas-Mustan effectively use cross-cutting to stage action sequences involving crime bosses that are engaging. For instance, the cross-cutting enhances the “Baadshah O Baadshah” song. During this unforgettable song, Baadshah sings a song expressing his love for his detective profession. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing a heavy burden detectives bear. Through bold production, Abbas-Mustan capture the lives of detectives facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Baadshah” is a Bollywood crime classic that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively uses monologues to capture tension detectives are experiencing. Throughout the movie, Baadshah delivers monologues expressing his perspective on the detective profession. For instance, the monologues enhance the casino manager scene. During this hilarious scene, Raj gives a comical monologue about verbal turmoil to a casino manager in attempts to distract him. Through monologues, Abbas-Mustan craft a portrait of detectives audiences can relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in most Bollywood movies. As Aditya Chopra’s “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” did suggest clearly, monologues elevate classic Bollywood romantic movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using a bold screenplay, Abbas-Mustan capture the lives of detectives that experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his greatest performances as Baadshah. Khan achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Baadshah”, however, he took on his most comedic role. It isn’t easy to portray a small-town sleuth seeking to solve a mystery but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and unforgettable in his most riveting role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and intelligence of a detective that conducts complex investigations. It’s a bold performance from one of the finest actors in India today.
While the film is mainly a bold showcase for Khan, the supporting cast is also excellent and worthy of appreciation. Twinkle Khanna is tremendous, bringing charisma towards a woman that falls in love with a world famous detective causing a dilemma. Amrish Puri is amazing, capturing the strong personality of a manager that runs a successful detective agency. Lastly, Johnny Lever merits praise. As a comedic detective, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Baadshah” can’t quite live up to the high standard of the greatest films in the crime genre in India. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Abbas-Mustan’s decision to integrate subplots of romance into the movie is admirable but it hinders the pacing. Due towards this faulty technique, scenes focusing on Baadshah’s romantic affair aren’t always as engaging as his career. Therefore, “Baadshah” is one of those Bollywood crime movies that not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of SRK would absolutely enjoy “Baadshah” and so would audiences seeking bold entertainment. A captivating Bollywood crime drama, it honours an actor that’s beloved in India.
Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood movie about a detective that’s mistaken for being an agent causing tension, it’s a brilliant reminder of an Indian actor that has built a strong reputation by his ability to portray compelling characters in memorable movies throughout his career which are definitely without a doubt worthy of celebration.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 