The movie has gathered a lot of controversy, before the release, about the authenticity of the story and historic accuracy. But the makers have a disclaimer right upfront claiming no accuracy and taking cinematic liberties. So that rests the case.
The movie is about the love story between Peshwa Bajirao Bhallal (Ranveer Singh), his wife Kashibai (Priyanka Chopra) and his love, Princess Mastani (Deepika Padukone). But the story has two layers – A hindu warrior with a muslim princess and a married man falling in love with another woman.
Bajirao is chosen to be the Peshwa of the Chatrapatti Shahu empire. And he swears to establish Maratha rule over all of India, and beating the Mughals in Delhi being his biggest ambition.
The movie begins with Bajirao on a winning spree and spreading the Maratha rule throughout the western and central India.
Bajirao is married to Kashi and has a son. In one of his battles he is asked for help from the princess of Bundelkhand, Mastani against invaders and Bajirao obliges and saves Bundelkhand and falls in love with Mastani. Mastani too is head over heels in love with Bajirao and accepts to be with him – ready to leave all behind her, ready to be the second wife and fight the world with Bajirao.
Peshwa – loves both the women deeply – One is inspiration and other is strength. He is torn in his duty towards both the women. Giving respect and her share of affection and fighting for acceptance for the other. His angst and fight with his own bigotry clan is palpable. The clan is ready to accept Mastani as a mistress, but not as a wife of Peshwa, and that is what Peshwa wants. For Peshwa, his relation with Mastani is not lust but pure love. In times when Mughals are the biggest enemy a muslim wife of the Peshwa is unacceptable. The religious heads and the fear of backlash from the Brahmin community is not helping the Peshwa’s cause. For Peshwa nothing is more important than getting an acceptance and he relinquishes his Peshwaship in this pursuit.
Ranveer Singh as Peshwa is really brilliant. A very well rendered performance by him. He borders on the edges of getting a little over the top, but remains restrained. His stunts and battle scenes are done well.
Mastani – Starts with indebted to Peshwa for saving Bundelkhand and gradually falls in love. Leaves all behind and believes in the power of love. Faces quite a humiliation at the hands of the Peshwa clan but bears it all with elan. She understands the angst of Kashi, but is lost to her heart and love. Has all to loose and only Peshwa to gain. Despite a few life threatening attacks she remains with Peshwa. She understands the religion differences and is ready to accept Peshwa and his ways and just wants to be accepted. Deepika in this role is marvelous. Your heart goes out to her. She too does her fight scenes really well. Deepika never ceases to impress.
Kashibai – as the wife of Peshwa is shown a little too coy and subdued. She probably has a little less role than Mastani. But I feel the best portrayed. Her eyes show the angst of a woman losing her husband to another woman. She understands her husband’s love for the other woman, but how could she allow another woman in to her life? Kashi realizes the influence of Mastani’s love on Peshwa but his helpless. She knows of Peshwa’s efforts in trying to gain a balance in his dual life but just cannot get around to accepting Mastani. Priyanka, too in this role is excellent. Initially we feel her role being sidelined but she comes around well in the few scenes. And portrays her pain well.
The movie is made on a grand scale. Its huge. The sets, costumes, extras, everything larger than life. The cinematography is excellent. The battle scenes in the beginning are great.
On the flip side – A little slow and repetitive. Peshwa dancing and singing ‘dushmanchi waat laavli’ is belittling. Absolutely un-asked for. Too many songs in the first half, a few back to back. First half seems way to longer than the second. The interval could have been earlier.
Music is fine. Choreography is ok. The Marathi accent in the movie is very likeable in most places.
Powerhouse performances by all three leading actors. Great performance by Tanvi Azmi too.
SLB delivers another love story. Great direction and his understanding and portrayal of relationships is so intricate and delicate. Great cinematic experience.
Mast ani Magnanimous..!!!
Great review its feeling just watching movie
Great review…