Writer/Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Few actresses in Bollywood are as beloved as Deepika Padukone. Ever since her rise towards stardom in the 2000’s, Padukone has become one of the best actresses in the Indian industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, teenagers or women facing marriage disaster, Padukone has proven that she has the ability to portray many bold characters. Padukone’s finest strength as an actress is versatility. Through strong ability to portray characters in a variety of genres, Padukone has proven to be an iconic actress in India. She is one of those actresses that has the ability to command every scene through her strong presence. An actress with undeniable charisma, Padukone has become an icon in India. Throughout her career, Padukone has produced several unforgettable movies that are certainly worth watching.
I’m a big fan of Padukone and adore all the films she has made in her career. However, “Bajirao Mastani” definitely stands out as her most ambitious film. Released in 2015, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film offered a bold portrait of centuries-old princesses. Packed with breathtaking sets, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s an exceptional Bollywood period piece. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Deepika Padukone, who embodies a strong princess in distress. Although “Bajirao Mastani” is an entertaining period piece, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from a melodramatic ending without satisfying resolution. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment which will definitely without any doubt satisfy fans of Deepika Padukone.
“Bajirao Mastani” tells a story of a love story between two bold warriors in Indian history. Deepika Padukone plays Mastani, a brave female warrior seeking to discover identity. Mastani has always shown devotion to her family which she loves dearly. However, her life forever changes when she falls in love with a medieval warrior. Bajirao (Ranveer Singh) is a strong warrior that comes from a conservative family. Despite differences in social status, Mastani and Bajirao develop a bond that’s precious. As odds soon become stacked against her favour, Mastani has no choice but to wonder whether she will ever achieve successful stature.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is fascinated with the theme of doomed love. A brilliant Bollywood director, Bhansali has often made engaging movies about doomed lovers in danger. His iconic film “Devdas” offered a bold portrait of alcohol addicts that struggle to maintain martial relationship. With “Bajirao Mastani”, however, Bhansali made his first historical period piece. It was the director’s attempt to capture the lives of legendary princesses in Indian history but he succeeded. Using bold cinematography, Bhansali captures the life of a legendary princess seeking to discover identity. Inspired with Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Jodhaa Akbar”, Bhansali effectively uses montages to capture the bonds between a pair of lovers in danger. For instance, the montages enhance the romantic bonding scene. During this heartfelt scene, Mastani and Bajirao spend valuable time together building a strong bond. Montages are not easy techniques to use in Bollywood films. As Farah Khan’s “Om Shanti Om” proved, montages enhance Bollywood films about reincarnation. Nevertheless, it works well. Using stunning visuals, Bhansali captures hardships which legendary princesses are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Bajirao Mastani” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood period piece films you will ever see. Evoking K. Asif’s “Mughal E Azam”, Bhansali effectively uses cross-cutting to stage musical sequences involving kings that are compelling. For instance, the cross-cutting elevates the Deewani Mastani song. During this engaging song, Mastani delivers a memorable melody showcasing her love for her kingdom. Through engaging cross-cutting, Bhansali constructs a portrait of a queen that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the painful burden which princesses bear. Through engrossing production, Bhansali captures lives of ancient princesses which face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Banirao Mastani” is a Bollywood film thats engaging. The film is extremely well written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture the tensions that princesses are experiencing. Evoking Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Lagaan”, Bhansali expertly uses dramatic monologues to capture the hardships that ancient princesses are facing. For instance, the monologues elevate the speech scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mastani delivers a meaningful speech showcasing her strong views concerning her kingdom. Through engaging monologues, Bhansali creates a portrait of princesses which is easy to relate to. Monologues aren’t easy techniques to use in Bollywood movies. As Ayan Mukerji’s “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” suggested, monologues enhance classic Bollywood coming-of-age films. However, it works immensely in this movie. Using a bold screenplay, Bhansali captures princesses that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Deepika Padukone delivers one of her best performances as Mastani. Padukone first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroines in classic Bollywood movies. With “Bajirao Mastani”, however, Padukone took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a legendary princess that created a lasting legacy in Indian history but she pulls it off successfully. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: charismatic, emotional and vulnerable in her most iconic role. With riveting expressions, she captures the angst, bravery and grief experienced by a princess on missions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most beloved actresses in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Deepika Padukone, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Priyanka Chopra Jonas is powerful, bringing out adventurous personality of a princess seeking to overcome obstacles which prove to be dangerous. Ranveer Singh is riveting, capturing the authoritative nature of a king seeking to rule a kingdom that’s frightening. Lastly, Tanvi Azmi merits appreciation. As a legendary queen, she is unforgettable.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Bajirao Mastani” can’t quite honour the lives of legendary princesses in history. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it suffers from a melodramatic ending. It’s an over the top conclusion that fails to bring the film to a satisfying resolution. At worst, it perpetuates false stereotypes about queens which aren’t true to reality. Period dramas thrive based upon their historical accuracy, and in this regard “Bajirao Mastani” falters short of expectations.
Nevertheless, fans of Deepika Padukone will definitely enjoy “Bajirao Mastani” and so will audiences seeking heartfelt entertainment. A phenomenal Bollywood period drama, it honours an actress that’s beloved in India.
Nearly a decade following the release of an iconic Bollywood movie about a princess in search for her identity, it’s a strong reminder of a beloved Indian actress that has built an enduring legacy through her ability to play compelling characters in memorable movies throughout her illustrious career audiences love dearly.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 