Writer/Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra Jonas
‘A Captivating Period Piece’
Not many actresses in India are as beloved as Priyanka Chopra. Ever since her rise to fame in the 1990’s, Chopra has become a beloved actress with iconic movies. Whether it’s famous fashion figures, doomed lovers or criminals in danger, Chopra has played many iconic characters. Arguably, Chopra’s greatest strength as an actress has always been her powerful commitment to her craft. She is one of those rare actresses that has never been afraid to take risks in her career by portraying complex characters. Through her abilities to create characters which are simple to relate to, Chopra has become an actress audiences value. Even when she is not the main focus of a movie, Chopra has always left a lasting impression. Throughout her strong career, Chopra has created many memorable movies that are definitely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Chopra and admire all the movies which she has created in her career. However, “Bajirao Mastani” definitely stands out as her most epic film. Released in 2015, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film offered a bold portrait of a historical princess. Packed with breathtaking musical sequences, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood historical movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Priyanka Chopra, capturing the persona of a legendary historical figure in India. 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 Priyanka Chopra.
“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 bold warrior from a conservative family. Abandoning his first wife Kashibai (Priyanka Chopra), Bajirao falls in love with Mastani crowning her as a queen in India. Despite differences in social status, Mastani and Bajirao develop a bond that’s precious. As odds soon become stacked against her favour, she has no options but to question whether she would 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 that legendary queens in India 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.
Priyanka Chopra delivers one of her finest performances as Kashibai. Chopra earned appreciation for playing heroines in classic Bollywood romantic movies. With “Bajirao Mastani”, however, she took upon her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a bold Indian princess that changed the course of history but she succeeded immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and vulnerable in her most profound role. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures bravery, jealousy and regret of a woman facing tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most renowned actresses that’s currently working In India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Chopra, the supporting cast is fantastic and worthy of appreciation. Ranveer Singh is spectacular, capturing the larger than life nature of a brave king that seeks to protect kingdoms in danger. Deepika Padukone is dazzling, bringing charisma to a queen that struggles to take care of a kingdom in India. 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 Priyanka Chopra 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 
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