“Bawaal Movie Review: “A Tangled Tale with Moments of Brilliance”

The black & white, gloomy scenario sets the stage, accompanied by melancholic songs, but everything changes upon the entrance of our hero, Ajay, also known as Ajju Bhaiya (played by Varun Dhawan). Despite feeling tired and exhausted, Ajju’s charismatic presence creates a love-hate relationship with the audience, making the character all the more intriguing. As the film unfolds, we learn that Ajju is a teacher, but for him, ‘image is everything.’ However, this obsession with appearances leads to complications in his marriage with Nisha, who bravely faces an undisclosed medical disorder.

Nitesh Tiwari, known for crafting powerful emotional arcs in films like Dangal and Chhichhore, attempts a different approach with ‘Bawaal.’ The movie intertwines dreary war visuals with the real-life struggles of its characters, but unfortunately, fails to create a seamless connection between the two. As a viewer, you’re left feeling torn between empathizing with the tragic events of World War II, witnessing Ajju and Nisha’s growth, or even questioning your own decision to watch the film.

While humor has been a solid aspect point in Tiwari’s previous films, ‘Bawaal’ incorporates genuinely funny sequences, but they are far too few to balance the flaws in the script and screenplay. Some characters make outlandish decisions, diverting the film from its emotional core, and leaving the audience questioning the authenticity of their actions.

Varun Dhawan’s performance as Ajju is undeniably the film’s highlight. He effortlessly transitions from a cocky persona to a comical one, and then to a character facing catastrophic consequences, all without any pretension. Dhawan’s charisma shines through, bringing depth to Ajju’s complexities.

On the other hand, Janhvi Kapoor, despite her talent, seems to be let down by superficial character writing. Nevertheless, she manages to deliver some noteworthy moments, proving her potential as an actress.

The film’s music offers a mixed bag, with Mithoon’s soulful track ‘Tumhe Kitna Pyaar Karte,’ sung by Arijit Singh, standing out as a gem worth a second listen. Daniel B. George’s background score complements the film, ticking the necessary boxes without any major issues.

‘Bawaal’ has its moments of brilliance, skillfully executed by Varun Dhawan’s charismatic performance and some emotionally charged sequences. However, the film falls short in its ambitious attempt to blend war visuals with the character’s struggles. On the technical front, cinematographer Mitesh Mirchandani manages to capture some beautiful shots. The production designer Aditya Kanwar definitely creates a believable world from the production standpoint. The decision to release the film straight to OTT platforms might have been a wise move, considering the mixed reception it may receive in theaters.

In short, although ‘Bawaal’ tries to tackle several complex themes, the lack of proper execution and the flaws in the script ultimately hold it back, leaving much to be desired. With greater attention to detail and a more cohesive approach, the movie could have truly soared to greatness.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars