Director: Rohit Shetty
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Varun Dhawan
‘A Captivating Comedy’
Few actresses in Bollywood pour their soul into movies like Kajol. Since her stardom in the 1990’s, Kajol has proven to be one of the best actresses in the film industry. Whether it’s students, lower class housekeepers or blind lovers, Kajol has depicted many strong characters. Arguably, Kajol’s strength as an actress is her abilities to portray powerful feminist characters through her larger than life presence. An actress that has a strong legacy in India, Kajol has become an icon in Bollywood Cinema. Through her ability to pour her heart and soul into every role, Kajol has become an iconic actress whose films give audiences a goal. She has always been one of those rare actresses which has the abilities to portray characters in a wide range of genres. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Kajol has scarcely lost her interest making engaging entertainment. Throughout her long-lasting career, Kajol has made many movies that are definitely worth watching.
I’m a big fan of Kajol and admire all the films which she has made in her career. However, “Dilwale” definitely stands out as being her most underrated movie. Released in 2015, Rohit Shetty’s movie offered an engrossing portrait of mafia. Packed with breathtaking musical sequences, engrossing storytelling and strong acting, it’s a brilliant Bollywood romantic drama. At the centre of it all is an iconic performance by Kajol, bringing heart and soul towards a daughter of a gangster. Although “Dilwale” is a brilliant Bollywood romantic drama, it isn’t a flawless film. It’s unevenly paced, building to a melodramatic ending without resolution. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment that would definitely without a single doubt satisfy fans of Kajol.
“Dilwale” tells the story of a gangster that falls in love with a price to pay. Shah Rukh Khan plays Raj, a member of a menacing gang with a formidable reputation. Raj has always shared a strong association with a gang which he loves dearly. However, Raj’s life drastically changes forever when he falls in love causing disaster. The girl that he has fallen in love with Meera (Kajol) is a fiercely independent woman that had dreams of her own. Their relationship is tested when Raj discovers that Meera is the daughter of a rival gang leader. Torn between his career and a romantic affair, Raj questions his love for profession about which he used to care. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Raj wonders whether he will ever be able to become a successful gangster.
Rohit Shetty has always been fascinated by the comedy genre. A brilliant filmmaker, he has often made engaging comedies about lovers in danger. His iconic movie “Chennai Express” offered a strong portrait of a pair of lovers travelling trains under stress. With “Dilwale”, however, Shetty created his first ever gangster comedy. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the struggles faced by gangsters experiencing adversity but he succeeded immensely. Using breathtaking cinematography, Shetty captures the bond between a pair of lovers torn apart by family feuds. Inspired by Aditya Chopra’s “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, Shetty successfully uses montages to capture the bond among a pair of lovers. For instance, the montages elevate the romantic meeting scene. During this memorable scene, Raj and Meera meet for the first time sparking their relationships. Using stunning montages, Shetty creates a romance that’s engaging. Montages are not simple techniques to use in Bollywood. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, montages enhance Bollywood movies about broken families. However, it works immensely in this movie. Using bold visuals, Shetty captures the hardships that gangsters are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Dilwale” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood romantic films which you will see. Inspired by Mansoor Khan’s “Josh”, Shetty expertly uses cross-cutting to stage music numbers involving gangs that are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting enhances the Gerua song. During this unforgettable song, Raj and Meera spend valuable time together through singing a melody. Using captivating cross-cutting, Shetty crafts music numbers which are engaging. Moreover, the musical score is extraordinary. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the burden lovers bear. Through engrossing production, Shetty conveys bonds between lovers facing tensions.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Dilwale” is a Bollywood romantic film that’s engaging. The film is extremely well written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture hardships faced by gangs which experience violence. Throughout the movie, Raj delivers meaningful monologues which express his love for the gangster profession. For instance, monologues elevate the gang speech scene. During this engaging scene, Raj delivers a profound monologue showing his love for his gangs profession. Through bold monologues, Shetty creates a portrait of gangs audiences can relate to. Dramatic monologues are tricky techniques to use in Bollywood. As Kunal Kohli’s “Fanaa” proved clearly, monologues elevate Bollywood films about terrorism. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using an excellent screenplay, Shetty captures gangs which experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Kajol delivers one of her best performances as Meera. Kajol first earned appreciation for playing heroines in classic Bollywood films. With “Dilwale”, however, she took upon her most comedic role. It isn’t easy to portray a woman that falls in love with a gangster that causes tragedy but he succeeds immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and moving in her most colourful role. With enchanting expressions, she conveys the angst, bravery and reckless spirit of a woman that falls in love with a gangster causing tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actresses which is working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Kajol, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of recognition. Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular, capturing the charismatic nature of a gangster that falls in love in a doomed relationship facing disaster. Varun Dhawan is dazzling, bringing compassion to a gangster that questions his affection for a cruel profession. Lastly, Boman Irani merits appreciation. As a mafia boss, he brings a sense of wisdom to the film.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Dilwale” can’t quite capture hardships of gangsters facing a price to pay. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. At nearly three hours, it suffers from a lengthy running time that tests patience. Moreover, the film lacks a strong ending. It’s a melodramatic ending that fails to bring the movie to satisfying resolution. At worst, the ending perpetuates stereotypes regarding gangs that aren’t true to reality. Therefore, “Dilwale” is one of those Bollywood movies not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Kajol will absolutely enjoy “Dilwale” and so will audiences that seek meaningful entertainment. A riveting Bollywood romantic drama, it honours an actress that’s beloved in India.
Nearly a decade following the release of a beloved Bollywood movie about a gangster that falls in love in a relationship in danger, it’s a riveting reminder of an iconic Indian actress that has built a lasting legacy by her abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies throughout her career audiences treasure.
3.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 