My view on Malhari Song from the Film “Bajirao Mastani”

In my opinion, this is not 'cinematic liberty' but 'cinematic frenzy'. Cashing in on some successful formula (I felt as if I'm listening to tatad tatad and aata majhi satakli combined) isn't what cinematic liberty is for. The reason I am saying this is that the character depicted here is not fictitious. Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa is a legend; most revered Prime Minister of Maratha Empire. A Field Marshal, one of the super-finest cavalry leaders of all times, a strategic mastermind. He is the man who ate, slept and almost lived his life on horseback.

Consider this:

"A masterpiece of strategic mobility" - British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery describing Battle of Palkhed in his book, The Concise History of Warfare

“He died as he lived, in camp under canvas among his men, and he is remembered to this day among the Marathas as the fighting Peshwa…” - English historian Sir Richard Carnac Temple, Shivaji and the Rise of the Mahrattas

“Bajirao was a heaven born cavalry leader. In the long and distinguished galaxy of Peshwas, Bajirao was unequalled for the daring and originality of his genius and the volume and value of his achievements” - Sir Jadunath Sarkar, foreword in V.G. Dighe's, Peshwa Bajirao I and Maratha Expansion

“He had both head to plan and muscle to execute” - James Grant Duff on Bajirao I

“Bravest of the brave, fairest of the fair, Bajirao died like the most fascinating figure in a romance of love” – Denis Kincaid, History of Maratha People

…

As we are aware, वाट लावली (waat laavli) and अतरंगी (atrangi) are slangs which were not even existing in his times.

And now, much discussed choreography.

Since the person being portrayed is man of such stature, all the moves and mannerisms given to the lead actor are skewed. I can’t watch him beat the drum with electrified head (Tatad Tatad Part II) or climbing onto the back of fellow soldier who is all on fours. I doubt a man who became the Prime Minster of Maratha Empire at the age of 19 and led the cavalry in fierce battles would do such shoulder shrugs and chest slides…

My point is - - - - keep the grace and the dignity of the characters (more particularly when the character is not imaginary but the real one) at all times. In Jodha Akbar, Ashutosh Govarikar could have used Hritik’s skillsets to draw people to the theatres by some catchy number like

धीनक धीनक धीनक धीनक

मै तो हू शेहेंशा

फटक फटक सटक सटक

कदमो में ये जहां

(dhinak dhinak dhinak dhinak

mein to hoon shehensha,

fatak fatak satak satak

kadmomein ye jahaan …”

He instead chose to do “Khwaja Mere Khwaja” which touched the souls.

…

In short, if you have read about Bajirao I and have understood what magnificient persona he had, you will be disappointed watching songs like Malhari.

I don’t even wish to say anything about Pinga Song here. Is it just for old times’ sake? Just to revive the magic of Dola re??

I hope the movie portrays him, Kashibai and Princess Mastani rightly.

As of now, mere mood ki to waat lagali!!!

Saumitra Salunke 8th December 2015