Movie Review: Bharat

Movie: ‘Bharat’
Rating: 3/5
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Cast: Salman Khan, Jackie Shroff, Katrina Kaif and Sunil Grover
Bharat Movie Trailer

2019 was yet to witness the release of a big event film. What better than Director Ali Abbas Zafar and Salman Khan coming together during the festivities of Eid, for their 3^rd film together, Bharat.

A young 8 year old, Bharat (Salman Khan) separated from his father, Gautam Kumar(Jackie Shroff) and younger sister during riots caused by 1947 India- Pakistan partition has made a promise to his dad to keep his family together until the day they re-unite.

The movie essays the journey of Bharat, in quest to provide for his family while metaphorically essaying the 63 year journey of the nation, India, right up to 2010. You get to witness occurrences like Emergency, Nehru’s Death, India’s World Cup Victory, Economic reforms helmed by then finance minister Manmohan Singh, Stardom of Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan and Sachin, etc..

The first half revolves around Bharat and his friend Vilayti Khan (Sunil Grover) whom he meets in refugee camp at Delhi. Their various quests to earn a living may seem pleasing to the eye but make the narrative disjointed. The X-Factor that one expects in a Salman Khan movie also appears to be missing.

Bharat’s chance meeting with Kumud Raina (Katrina Kaif) hiring laborers for Saudi Oil extraction project and eagerness to reunite with his father and sister drive the narrative of the second half, which by now makes the movie enjoyable to watch. The special appearance by actor Satish Kaushik makes the second half a laugh riot whenever he appears on screen.

Sunil Grover as Vilayti Khan is well portrayed, however, knowing the performing capabilities of this actor it would have rather benefitted the film if his character had an even funnier arc.

Katrina Kaif as Kumud Raina yet again delivers a standout performance. She is becoming more reliable as an actor with every passing film of hers.

Salman Khan as Bharat is the heart and soul of this film. As an actor Salman Khan accepts the challenge of stepping out of his comfort zone and plays a role which requires a lot of varied emotions to be displayed. He does so with much style and aplomb.

Overall Bharat may have a negligibly boring first half, but the fact that it is a big event Salman Khan EID release, with a funny, entertaining second half and an important message that it wishes to share, making this one a compelling watch. Watch it with your family and loved ones!