CAST: Varun Dhawan, JanHvi Kapoor, Manoj Pahwa Shashie Verma and Shashie Vermaa,
DIRECTOR: Nitish Tiwari
Streams on Prime Video
“Bawaal” presents an outrageously absurd Bollywood spectacle attempting to convey the essence of true masculinity. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for “Dangal,” this extravagant romantic tale takes audiences on a globetrotting journey, a common trait of Bollywood movies, but unfortunately, it lacks the joyousness typical of the genre.
The protagonist, Ajay (Varun Dhawan), is a well-groomed and attractive grade-school history teacher, seemingly obsessed with his appearance. His dedication to looking good comes at the cost of neglecting his students’ education and his wife, Nisha (Janhvi Kapoor), who is deeply unhappy.
Nisha, who suffers from epilepsy, is kept hidden at home by Ajay, fearing that her condition might tarnish his public image. When Ajay gets suspended for slapping a student, he devises a plan to prove his teaching prowess. He embarks on a journey to Europe, delivering video lectures from historical sites back to his small-town Indian students. Despite Ajay’s objections, Nisha joins him and surprises everyone with her capabilities and beauty in Europe. In contrast, Ajay endures comedic hardships along the way, like lost luggage, pickpockets, and unfavorable exchange rates.
As the journey progresses, Ajay gradually becomes more empathetic. Fantasy sequences transport him and Nisha to intense scenarios like battling on the shores of Normandy or enduring the horrors of an Auschwitz gas chamber. These sequences metaphorically depict the dire state of their relationship, though they feel forced and lack emotional depth.
The chemistry between Dhawan’s convincingly narcissistic Ajay and Kapoor’s lackluster portrayal of Nisha falls flat, making it difficult to fully support Ajay’s character. Instead, the audience may find themselves hoping that Nisha finds a way to escape from this marriage. The film’s traditional, macho approach to saving the marriage may leave some viewers feeling uncomfortable, particularly because the lack of genuine humor or compelling stakes offers little else to engage with.
