Bhavesh Joshi Review - Redefining 'SuperHero'
Suhansid Srikanth
Vikramaditya Motwane is special! Not because he doesn't stick to mainstream Bollywood style but owns a versatility in exploring genres. He has made four films so far. And look at the spectrum he stretches out! Udaan is a coming of age cinema.. Lootera, a classic love story.. Trapped, a survival thriller.. And now, Bhavesh Joshi, a superhero film! He doesn't just pick genres and make films in it for namesake but really builds his own cinematic world with the story he tells us. He is one of those rare filmmakers in India who can really translate a script on screen - the geography of a story, profession of the characters, monsoon, climate and all the ambience that a film comes with.
Every superhero film needs a notion! A notion that would define the need for a superhero in its story! And here.. it is the nation itself! The contemporary political unrest situations do help us in better understanding of who the villains are. The very state of the country bothers two guys.. and they come up with an online platform called Insaaf TV where they shoot societal issues and upload. The channel's growth is summed up in a song and before we know how serious these guys are about the channel, the major conflict opens!
It is interesting to see a superhero film working with so much of a middle-class or say a common man's mentality. (The only other film that came closer to this kind was Mysshkin's Mugamoodi) It doesn't deal with explosions that can destroy a country or villains who hijack a school. The film is built around Mumbai's water crisis. And what starts with a complaint from a poor guy to Insaaf TV unfolds as a serious issue with its roots firmly crushed under powerful men and dirty politics.
Harshvardhan Kapoor as Siku, the hero or say the superhero of the film borrows his alter name 'Bhavesh Joshi' from his friend. His vulnerability adds so much when the film lacks enough belief to take in. We see his character in various stages of life.. as a graduated, 'wanna do something for the nation' youngster.. a typical IT guy.. a nosecut (literally) common man who doesn't give two fcuks about the society around.. and as a Superhero as well! This transformation is not overnight. The story really calls for him. It is when he waits to collect the ashes of his friend in a crematorium he understands the ugly truths. With everything they ever built being demolished with rough hands.. he rages up!
Priyanshu Painyuli's performance as Bhavesh Joshi stays with you for a long time. For his worries are real.. and he is as helpless as the country itself. His spirit is that of Rang de Basanti meeting Aayudha Ezhuthu. The idealism and angry runs side by side. It is Bhavesh who is serious about Insaaf TV and always comes with a concern for society. He insists to stop at signals even when the road is dead alone. (This point is beautifully revisited in the later part of the film) It is his spirit that comes to us as Bhavesh Joshi - The Superhero! Though there is a girlfriend to Siku, it is the chemistry and bromance between Bhavesh and Siku that shines all over and shoulders the film.
There is one another common friend to them who mirrors much of the majority. A typical viewer man of the society who writes scoopwhoopish articles. It chuckles you when he receives a call on a serious issue while he is typing '10 easy ways to look like Ranveer Singh'! The film starts with his idea to write a superhero novel. And it later bookmarks back.. after him experiencing a riveting story of Bhavesh and Siku on his own.
The moment when it hits you that a superhero has arrived is brilliantly written. He comes with a havoc of fire on his background. The rise of Bhavesh Joshi is both literally and cinematically rejuvenated here. Also, there is an interesting Taxi Driver connect where Siku in a bald man makeover (much like Travis) visits places and kind of be an observer to get his clues. His utmost silence is what balances for the alarming lead to climax.
Amit Trivedi's score is pulsating! It thumps up for every action sequence and keeps you on hook. So are the songs! It is a shame that Chyawanprash is not a national hit like many mindless tracks that become one. The number is such a killer also for the way it is conceived.
As much as the film pulls you in emotionally.. it keeps throwing you off every now and then when it comes to larger than life's scenes. What didn't work is the logic to believe the story even when one thinks with limitations of its fictional universe. Something like suspension of disbelief. It is why it looks unconvincing when he hacks Airport servers to make a forged travel proof. And the police officer who has an eye on him believes it all with just a fake selfie of him infront of American buildings. We never get why he doesn't check or confirm his presence later in the film when so much chaos is happening! We don't understand how come anyone cannot recognize him just because he roams with a bald man's look! The loose ends bother us much only because they are in a potentially the best superhero film from India!
Bottomline: "An Insaaf punch from Vikramaditya Motwane. Do watch it on big screens for the action it has.. for the thriller it is.. but most importantly for how this SuperHero film embraces its heart throughout!"
Rating: 3/5