I watched BB finally in a theatre. My first Salman film in theatre after HSSH in 1999.
I must say it is an amazing, heartwarming, sweet film with universal appeal and crucial message.
It said everything, gave the right message without being preachy, without Salman giving lengthy sermons.
Easily THE BEST film of 2015, the greatest film of Salman Khan's career and one of the best films ever made! 👏
Initially I thought it was predictable. I found starting slightly jerky. But as it moved ahead the film took me by surprise! Even after great reviews I wasn't expecting much. I remember being let down by PK, so I have learnt not to build expectations based on reviews or hype. But I have to admit Bajrangi Bhaijaan is worth every ounce of praise it got and deserves even more praise than it is getting.
It has comedy, satire, social comment, family values, drama, humane message - everything blended seamlessly.
I enjoyed the portrayal of stereotypes we associate with each other based on religion, caste, eating habits, nationality and how we judge each other. It was quite close to reality. I liked how the film showed hardliners on both sides yet never generalised either country or religion. I loved the subtle take on how media never reports positive stories, never helps in dire need but readily pounces at negative news or even publishes fake news just to create hatred. Loved the bond between Pawan and Shahida. Loved the transition in their characters. I mean initially Shahida runs away from a temple to go to pray at a mosque (or was it dargah?) and Pawan is also reluctant to enter the place of "their" religion. But at the end, both greet each other in ways and phrases of each others' religions. The end is just heartwarming, entire audience in theatre got up and gave a standing ovation! 😊
I liked how they brought out inherent goodness and humanity in everyone regardless of religion or borders. It was innocent, idealistic, like a fairytale. It is not a realistic tale but something one does wish, becomes real.
I liked Pawan's goodness, his unshakeable faith in God, his naivete, his willingness to suffer but not compromise on his principles or goals. I enjoyed Shahida's mischievousness. She was more tactful than Pawan though! 😆 It was cute how she would signal him to tell a lie but he wouldn't! Shahida was both bold and innocent. Her habit of stealing things was amusing!
The incident at embassy was a great comment on state of affairs. The scenes of Pakistan army, police and intelligence officers, those brief scenes of RSS camps...subtle moments, that say nothing yet describe a lot.
Nawaz was awesome as Chand and his character is just adorable. Just loved the evolution and change of heart of his character too and also the power of internet and social media as shown through his character.
Om Puri was effective in his scenes. Initially I felt Kareena was just a flowerpot but her character did have guts and it was positive message how she got her conservative family to back Pawan as well as let them help Shahida.
Another really good message was against use of illegal shortcuts. Many lose their lives or get jailed when they adopt such shortcuts to go to other countries or use agents to get their work done.
This film is all heart. 😊 Techinically it might not be perfect, but emotionally it is. It made audience laugh, cry, think and believe in miracles (prayers can and do get answered whether you pray to Allah or Ram).
I just loved how they showed conscience and heart in soldiers also. I know it is impractical and unimaginable in real life. But it's wonderfully heartwarming in a tale about humanity.
Music isn't great and mostly situational.
Dialogues are good (some deserve to be part of history), performances are all good, locales were breathtaking.
Harshaali Malhotra has to be the cutest and most talented child artiste in years. Absolute natural!
Salman Khan did act very well and is the soul of the film. One cannot take away any credit from him. He shook off his Salmanisms and did very well as Pawan. One needs an unassuming actor like him to pull off Pawan. He was tad underwhelming in initial emotional scenes but brilliant in emotional scenes towards the end. You could see audience crying along when he cried and hear them gasp as his character was beaten up. This is the most impactful Salman performance and character in ages.
I daresay if at all any Salman film will be remembered forever, remain a landmark, be a classic - it will be this - Bajrangi Bhaijaan. 😊
Kabir Khan has arrived. I believe he did a better job of it than Hirani would have done with same subject matter. He has been able to make his point in suble, fluid, natural manner without making his characters break into long monologues each. From here on, I believe he should only improve his craft further and go from strength to strength. I would wish him all the best and thank him for such a film. 😊
I am also glad that he can channelise a star like Salman Khan and deliver the unexpected with him.
This is the first time after 3I that I watched a film in theatre. I have been increasingly becoming indifferent to films and stopped going to theatres or even getting pirated DVD or watching online, I no longer bother about TV premieres either. But I must say Bajrangi Bhaijaan restored a bit of faith that a Bollywood film can still be worth watching in theatre.
Easily the most deserving film to break records and enter crore clubs (along with 3I). 👏
Bajrangi Bhaijaan is a subtle slap on face of jingoism, communalism, hatred, divisive forces.
It deserves to be watched by everyone.
It deserves all the success it got, and even more.
It will be a shame if award juries ignore Bajrangi Bhaijaan or its team. 😲 This is BB's year!
Clean, fun, family friendly, heartwarming film with universal appeal, great message, feel good content which can be watched repeatedly.
It's often predictable. But its characters are so adorable and it gives so much hope that you just love whatever you watched! 👏
Trashing it as an image building exercise for Salman wouldn't be right. Film should be appreciated for what it is. Though it is true it would enhance Salman's image and is a proud accomplishment, a landmark of his career.
Congratulations to Salman fans. This is legit moment of pride, a film to be truly proud of.
Thanks to team BB for making something different unlike a usual masala film that some of us were thinking it would be. Really happy as a movie viewer tonight after watching BB! 😊
Bollywood Unplugged @BollywoodUnplug 
18