In what was anticipated to be a landmark event in Manoj Bajpayee’s illustrious career, the release of his 100th film, “Bhaiyya Ji,” has been met with a resounding thud rather than a groundbreaking ovation. For an actor of Bajpayee’s calibre, this movie is unfortunately a disappointment.
“Bhaiyya Ji” is an action, crime, and drama film directed by Apoorv Singh Karki, featuring a cast that includes Manoj Bajpayee, Vipin Sharma, and Zoya Hussain. Despite the promising lineup, the film garners a rather dismal rating of 1.5 out of 5. This leaves us pondering on the perplexing state of Bollywood, where the definition of a great film has often seemed lost in translation.
A great movie is typically the brainchild of sharp and synchronized minds, bringing a stellar script to life with execution that wows audiences. This notion was on my mind as I watched “Bhaiyya Ji,” and even more so while recalling last week’s viewing experience of “Srikanth,” which starred the impeccable Rajkummar Rao. Both films exemplify stellar acting performances that are overshadowed by subpar filmmaking.
To grasp the essence of “Bhaiyya Ji,” let’s start by acknowledging it is indeed a milestone film in Bajpayee’s career. However, the film fails to rise to the occasion. It’s neither compelling enough to be considered a gripping drama, nor extravagant enough to qualify as an entertaining masala flick. Unlike Rohit Shetty’s films that expertly manipulate emotions, or Atlee’s “Jawan,” which oozes slickness, “Bhaiyya Ji” leaves you feeling detached and passive.
Manoj Bajpayee, known for deviating from the mainstream and carving a niche with his assured craft, took a gamble with this project. In a sense, he’s at a stage where he can afford to experiment with varied roles, without the fear of a few misfires. This experimental approach, however, didn’t pay off this time. “Bhaiyya Ji” follows a well-trodden path, feeling more like a pale imitation of films like “KGF” or “Pushpa Reloaded” with its predictable syntax.
At its core, “Bhaiyya Ji” is an action film with sequences choreographed by notable action director Fefsi Vijayan, famous for his work in “Wanted” (2009). One can almost imagine Bajpayee being enticed by the script, thinking, “Yaar, mazaa aayega!” (This will be fun!). His enthusiasm translates on screen, where he appears to be enjoying himself thoroughly.
. Unfortunately, this enjoyment does not extend to the audience.
The fundamental problem lies in our expectations from Bajpayee’s films. Even his most controversial projects, like Shirish Kunder’s “Mrs. Serial Killer” (2020), have managed to bring some fresh thinking to the table. “Bhaiyya Ji,” however, feels tired and redundant, repeating well-worn cliches of a genre that seems to have overstayed its welcome. The endless recycling of stories featuring god-complex riddled heroes immersed in violence and vengeance has grown extraordinarily wearisome.
As the film meanders through its two-hour-plus runtime, the plot unfolds predictably: the protagonist Bhaiyya Ji turns vigilante after the murder of his younger brother by a local politician’s son. The narrative claims ‘Yeh Robinhood nahin, uska baap hai,’ depicting Daddy Robinhood’s bloody rampage for revenge. The action comprises slow-motion fight scenes and gunplay with exaggerated sound effects that feel more intrusive than impactful.
Performance-wise, the cast does as much as they possibly can with the material they’re given. Vipin Sharma delivers a memorable portrayal with some standout lines. Zoya Hussain is visually compelling, and Suvinder Vicky adds another layer of enjoyment. Of course, Bajpayee shines consistently, but his brilliance only amplifies the film’s inadequacies.
In conclusion, while “Bhaiyya Ji” isn’t Bajpayee’s worst film, it’s certainly one of his most uninspired recent endeavors. The film takes itself too seriously, leaving no room for humor or engaging banter, rendering it devoid of a unique voice. If only the film had embraced some self-awareness, allowing us to laugh alongside its over-the-top antics, it might have struck a chord. Director Apoorv Singh Karki could take a page out of Anirudh Iyer’s “An Action Hero” (2022), which tackled a similar storyline but with a refreshing twist.
In summary, Bollywood’s struggle to define a “good film” continues, as evidenced by the disappointing “Bhaiyya Ji.” Despite having a talent powerhouse like Manoj Bajpayee at its helm, the film fails to live up to its potential, leaving us yearning for something much more impactful.
