Bawaal Review: Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor shine in this emotionally charged and thought-provoking slice-of-life drama helmed by director Nitesh Tiwari. Blending comedy, drama, and history, ‘Bawaal’ offers a gripping narrative supported by impactful performances, making it a must-watch for those seeking both entertainment. Read Filmydude’s review below.
“The film has its heart in the right place” is often thrown around in movie reviews, but after experiencing Nitesh Tiwari’s Bawaal, I can confidently say that it truly applies to this Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor starrer. Nitesh Tiwari, known for his authentic portrayal of human stories and emotions, leaves his signature mark on this film.
Bawaal Review:
Plot of the movie: Set in the enchanting city of Lucknow, India, Bawaal follows the life of Ajay Dixit (Varun Dhawan), a man who has meticulously crafted his existence, complete with a respectable job, impeccable appearance, high societal standing, and a beautiful wife, Nisha (Janhvi Kapoor). However, his aspirations for social elevation lead him to marry Nisha, a well-educated and pretty woman. Soon, his perfect world faces a setback when Nisha fails to live up to his ideal expectations.
Concurrently, a setback at work adds to Ajay’s troubles, and his carefully constructed image takes a hit. To fix this complication, Ajay and Nisha embark on a journey to Europe, tracing the events of World War 2, unaware of the life-changing lessons that await them in the continent.
In Bawaal, the story reigns supreme. Nitesh Tiwari, along with co-writers Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, Nikhil Mehrotra, Piyush Gupta, and Shreyas Jain, masterfully presents a powerful tale of perception and redemption. The film touches upon significant themes such as the education system, teaching methods, hollow marriages under societal pressures, deception, friendship, and parenting. Some of these messages are conveyed directly, while others are subtly woven between the lines.
The film’s first half thrives on a delightful blend of comedy, while the latter part delves into emotionally charged moments, catering to a diverse audience with its balanced content encompassing drama, intense emotions, satire, romance, and history. Notably, a humorous sequence involving a Gujarati family is both endearing and skillfully executed without resorting to offense.
The technical aspects of Bawaal shine brightly, with cinematographer Mitesh Mirchandani capturing the film’s essence beautifully, and production designer Aditya Kanwar translating the director’s vision seamlessly. Daniel B. George’s background score complements the emotions portrayed on-screen, and Mukesh Chhabra’s spot-on casting for each character adds depth to the storytelling.
An exceptional aspect of the film is Nitesh and his writers’ willingness to question their own script by incorporating an element that challenges a teaching pattern promoted within the movie. This adds authenticity to the approach and strengthens the story’s core intention.
While Bawaal is an impressive package, one cannot help but wonder if setting the same story against the backdrop of Indian history could have attracted an even larger theater-going audience. Additionally, a slight reduction in the 2 hour 18 minutes runtime and more memorable song music by Mithoon, Tanishk Bagchi, and Akashdeep Sengupta would have further enhanced the overall experience.
Performances Varun Dhawan delivers a heartfelt performance, beautifully portraying his character’s emotional journey and making redemption a genuinely felt emotion. Janhvi Kapoor’s subtle yet impactful acting leaves a lasting impression, making Nisha her best on-screen outing so far. The chemistry between Varun and Janhvi makes them a captivating on-screen pair, and their collaboration promises exciting prospects in the future.
A special mention goes to Manoj Pahwa and Anjuman Saxena, who effortlessly bring Ajju’s endearing parents to life. The child actors in Bawaal also deserve applause for their exceptional performances, with credit to Nitesh Tiwari, who consistently brings out the best from young talents.
Final Conclusion:
Bawaal is a must-watch for those seeking quality entertainment coupled with thought-provoking content. Nitesh Tiwari’s masterful direction, along with the brilliant performances of Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, ensures an engaging and enriching cinematic experience that lingers on much after the credits roll.