Pakistan bans Bajirao Mastani, terms it ‘anti-Islam’

We keep in mind the fact that Shah Rukh has always had an upper hand over his opponents at the box-office. Whether it is Mastani gazing at Bajirao with an adoration that Madhubala had last shown for Dilip Kumar in Mughal-e-zam or Bajirao the warrior tearing through a field of wounded soldiers, cinematographer Sudeep Chatterjee mines the epic canvas for human emotions that lie buried too deep for tears. Quite obviously, Dilwale got more screens than Bajirao Masthani. With Priyanka having won several accolades for her acting chops in her previous films and her worldwide debut Quantico earning rave reviews we can wait to see Priyanka in this heartbreaking role. Who would have thought that this energetic (if a little hyper), outspoken, slightly wacky actor would do justice to someone like Peshwa Bajirao. Other very effective performances come from Tanve Azmi’s as Bajirao’s self-willed mother, Yatin Karyekar as a priest outraged by the pure Hindu wrrior’s unstoppable passion for a Muslim girl, and Vaibhav Tatwawdi as Bajiarao’s younger brother. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone portray the titular protagonists, and Priyanka Chopra plays Bajirao’s first wife Kashibai. Will he able to win the battle of love? Deepika Padukone is lovely, and creates sizzle with Ranveer Singh, but hasn’t melded with the part.

Ranveer Singh undoubtedly delivers his career best performance. Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra action were main highlights from costumes to sets, it looks fresh and different. Deepika looks ravishing but her contact lenses don’t let you see the historical, strong figure of Mastani.

The elements are all the there: pain, angst, art, unattainable love, rebellion, melodrama, flawless beauty in the detailing – right from the actresses’ strand of hair near the ears, to the flick of her long fingers, to the matching colours of the magnum opus sets reflective of the mood; and above all the inevitable, eternal triangle.

Back home, Bajirao’s wife, Kashi (Priyanka Chopra) is eagerly waiting his return, oblivious of the fact that her husband has fallen in love and even accidentally married another woman.

Some war scenes are confusing and this movie moves with a slow pace. The second half of this movie is much more enjoyable than its first half.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali music was superb and one more technician Shreyas Puranik has scored superb tunes. Visuals are mind-blowing and audiences will be definitely thrilled. The movie has been released worldwide on 18 December 2015 and ready to give tough competition to Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale.

Even though there were discussions that the movie was not given a no-objection certificate due to the intimate scenes, the truth is that the Pakistan censor board had termed the film anti-Islamic and had said that it could not allow such a film to be released in Pakistan, Hasan added.