Director: Apoorv Singh Karki
Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Zoya Hussain, Jatin Goswami, Vipin Sharma, Suvinder Vicky
Where: In theatres.
Rating: 2.5 stars
If you've ever wondered what would happen if Manoj Bajpayee tried to channel his inner Rajnikanth, Bhaiyya Ji might just be the fever dream you've been looking for. Director Apoorv Singh Karki takes a page straight out of the South Indian masala playbook and gives us a spectacle where Bajpayee’s “Robinhood Ka Baap” avatar, Ramcharan, literally soars through the air with the greatest of ease, defying both gravity and logic.
The plot is a mix of righteous revenge and over-the-top antics. Ramcharan (Bajpayee) is the doting brother, but when his sibling Vedant (Akash Makhija) runs afoul of the psychotic Abhimanyu (Jatin Goswami) and his equally deranged politician father Chandrabhan (Suvinder Vicky), all hell breaks loose.
In true masala fashion, Ramcharan morphs into "Bhaiyya Ji," a fearsome figure with a legendary past and a fanatical following. He's a one-man army, taking on hordes of goons with ease, all while nursing a deep-seated vengeance prompted by his stepmother (Bhagirathi Bai.)
The film starts off promisingly but steadily declines as the narrative progresses. It presents the quintessential hero’s journey but ultimately serves a tedious dose of melodrama, making it difficult to relate to and implausible. The story introduces the viewers to a world rife with violence and turmoil.
The cinematography challenges geography as much as it does credulity with characters seemingly teleporting between Delhi and Bihar. Yet, despite the absurdity, there's a bizarre charm to watching Bajpayee, an actor of immense talent, commit fully to this larger-than-life role. He delivers every melodramatic line and intense glare with a conviction that almost makes you believe the madness.
Bhagirathi Bai as Ramcharan’s over-the-top mother steals every scene she’s in, often quite literally levitating above the rest of the cast. Her performance alone could warrant a spin-off, on this revenge drama.
The film, in all seriousness, occasionally hit the mark with its subtle humour, peppering in moments of genuine hilarity. Ramcharan’s motley crew of advisors and his sharp-shooter fiancé Mitali (Zoya Hussain) add depth to the humour and action sequences, although it’s clear they are secondary to Bajpayee’s unstoppable juggernaut.
The villains, though, are a mixed bag. Suvinder Vicky and Jatin Goswami try their best with the material, but they often come across as stereotypes. The film’s intent to create menacing antagonists falls flat, turning their sinister acts into moments of accidental comedy.
The film doesn’t shy away from its ambition to be a mass entertainer. It goes full throttle on the melodrama, action, dramatic slow-motion shots, and even the background score, which thumps consistently enough to make you feel every punch and kick. The film’s attempt to be a massy potboiler, makes it seem like an overegged pudding, especially in the final act.
Overall, it’s a film where you’re as likely to laugh at its earnestness as you are to groan at its predictability.
