Director: Rohit Shetty
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Varun Dhawan
‘A Captivating Comedy’
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 created in his career. However, “Dilwale” definitely stands out as being his 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 incredible performance by Shah Rukh Khan, who embodies a gangster seeking romance. Although “Dilwale” is a brilliant Bollywood blockbuster, it isn’t a truly flawless film. It’s unevenly paced, building to a melodramatic ending. Nevertheless, it offers entertainment that would definitely without a doubt satisfy fans of SRK.
“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 gangs 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.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his greatest performances as Raj. Khan achieved praise for playing heroes in classic Indian romantic movies. With “Dilwale”, however, he took on his most comedic role. It isn’t simple to play an angst-ridden gangster that experiences adversity but use succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past before: smart, funny and charming in his most comedic role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the determination, courage and reckless spirit of a gangster on dangerous missions. It’s a bold performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for SRK, the supporting cast is also terrific and worthy of recognition. Kajol is amazing, bringing heart and soul to a fierce woman that falls in love with a gangster spiralling out of control. Varun Dhawan is wonderful, bringing tension to a gangster questioning loyalty to profession. Lastly, Boman Irani is unforgettable. As a ruthless mob boss, he brings a powerful sense of authority to the movie.
Nevertheless, fans of SRK will absolutely enjoy “Dilwale” and so will audiences that seek meaningful entertainment. A riveting Bollywood romantic drama, it honours an actor 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 actor that has created a bold legacy by his abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies throughout his career that audiences treasure.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 