Despite being trifle overwrought and over-indulgent, Sanjay Bhansali excels as a storyteller as well as a director. One can’t help but marvel at his unflinching passion, exemplary precision, and irrefragable finesse. ‘Bajirao Mastani’ is arguably his finest work after ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’.

It is a regular love story and not very ambitious, but the film satisfies its audience

Despite its shortcomings then, this is a brave and beautiful film – beautiful to look at, beautiful in its position on religion, brave in its take on history, brave in its unwillingness to paint religious groups or its primary characters as black or white.
Bhansalified history, as it turns out, makes for good cinema.

The film extends a historical perspective to intolerance in India. Although a casual reference, it makes the audience reflect on how “mazhab ki bediya” continue to divide us centuries later.

Anticipations and expectations were very high from ‘Bajirao Mastani’ as the audiences were expecting yet another visually stunning and larger than life spectacle from the filmmaker of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s calibre and fortunately, he does not let us down.

Had Sanjay Leela Bhansali substantiated the love factor and the reasons behind its growing so strong — instead of unnecessary occasions coupled with song and dance, especially the “Dola re Dola” sequel “Pinga” — Bajirao Mastani could have been a parallel to Jodha-Akbar.

Bajirao Mastani is a visually delightful entertainer and a cinematic masterpiece. Unfortunately, it holds more appeal for the classes and multiplex audiences and less for the masses. This will reflect adversely in its commercial report card because a film with an investment of the kind made in this project needed to be universally appealing, nothing less than that. Its collections are bound to pick up due to positive mouth publicity. In commercial terms, however, its very high cost on the one hand and an ordinary initial on the other, coupled with the fact that it has released in direct opposition of Dilwale, will not see it making profits. Rather, this masterpiece could, quite unfortunately and tragically, even entail losses to the persons concerned.

Bajirao Mastani will also be remembered for its production design and costumes. The level of detailing in the film’s visuals is awe-inspiring. The camerawork and SLB’s vision for grandeur create a mirage of excellence on screen. SLB’s music is not only influential it’s emotional and touching. Rarely do Hindi movies look like they belong on a world stage. Bajirao Mastani is definitely a strong contender for that spot. It’s definitely one of the year’s best.

Magnificent visuals apart, Bajirao Mastani might be a version of history that I wish is true.

Bajirao Mastani may not be a perfect movie but still has the potential to provide viewers a mesmerizing view into what could possibly be Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s creative best.

Bajirao Mastani is a loud, clunky melodrama that is largely interested in providing derivative cinematic thrills whilst pretending to be lyrical and meditative. That said, however, it is also often visually-arresting and romantic enough to sustain interest.

Ultimately you can’t help being overwhelmed by Sudeep Chatterjee’s eye-watering frames, and the elegant production design. Bhansali delivers a film that’s artistic but exhausting.

Bajirao Mastani is a masterpiece that teaches us many important lessons on love and and life. Most of all it shows us that another Mughal-e-Azam is possible in this day and age because there is a filmmaker who possesses the epic vision of K Asif.

“Bajirao Mastani” is a great one-time big-screen watch. A crisper edit and stronger content in the second half could have made this one a classic.

A challenge to the critics’ lens and a treat to viewers—‘Bajirao Mastani’ is gloriously grand! Book the tickets without a doubt.

Bhansali’s long-awaited ‘Bajirao Mastani’ is unapologetically sumptuous…

This is a giant film, a magnum opus drunk on its own magnum-ity, and it is perfectly clear early on, as the narrative races out the gate and gauntlets are flung up in the air and shot through with arrows, that a film like this can only work as opera.

A film for lovers. Especially those who didn’t get a happy ending.

Bajirao Mastani is certainly a one time watch. The confluence of the Mughal impressions and the Maratha establishment is beautifully portrayed. Ranveer Singh plays the Bajirao Peshwa with remarkable conviction. He keeps a peculiar Marathi twang consistent. He packs so much honesty and sincerity into the  performance. Deepika looks smouldering hot as Mastani and delivers yet another scintillating act. Priyanka Chopra looks promising too. The epic love story is as arresting as it is beautiful in terms of its scale and drama. SLB leaves no stone unturned to ensure that he produces a visual delight like no other!

From intense war scenes to sweet romantic exchanges, Bajirao Mastani will keep you engrossed till the very end. The actors are a delight to watch and make the movie even more enjoyable. This weekend, do yourself a favor — go watch Bajirao Mastani. It’s Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s best work till date.

While Bajirao and Mastani’s love story is fascinating, no doubt, directing more of the screenplay to his military accomplishments could’ve turned it into a far more credible watch. For now, it’s a pretty picture that stops short of being great cinema.

Despite all its faults, “Bajirao Mastani” is propped up by the performances of Singh and Chopra; and for that alone, it’s worth a watch. Just forget your history lessons inside the theatre.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali returns with another visual spectacle that wilfully takes liberties with the past that it depicts. But it does manage to engage even as it exhausts.

Bajirao-Mastani resembles Jodhaa-Akbar with teeth that bite, Mughal-e-Azam with shades of philosophical grey. It rediscovers roots to Maratha pride – and bravely confronts one of India’s most crucial questions now.

Quickly ‘chala’ to the biggest screen you can find.

A melodramatic climax aside, the film is undoubtedly a quality product, Bhansali always ensures that. But what makes it fall just short of excellence is the lack of the journey within. We never get inside the characters, especially Bajirao’s, a man who is caught in the fierce dilemma between the heart and the state. We only see the events unfold on screen one after another. It is Bhansali tipping his jewel-encrusted hat off to an epic love story in Maratha folklore. But a glimpse of the mind would have made the picture complete.

Bajirao Mastani celebrates love, life, the longing of a man torn between three women (including his mother), his loyalty and his helplessness when faced with religious diktats!

Bajirao Mastani also celebrates the mood of the moment!

A compromised screenplay notwithstanding Bajirao Mastani sets standards high. Bhansali outdoes himself at many levels. Watch the film for the sheer scale and scintillating performances.

Watch this film for its larger-than-life cinematic experience, and of course, Ranveer Singh.

The grandiosity wears off. You long for a genuinely moving, exciting story, featuring all these beautiful people, all actors able to pull off characters, but buried under their mounds of clothes, mouthing dialogue. ‘Bajirao Mastani’ had the potential to be a terrific historical. What it ends up being is a costume drama: too many costumes, too much revved-up, empty drama, and too little story.

Bajirao Mastani is a must-watch, but set the right expectations before you go in! Don’t look for a complete meal, or even one to fill you up. Go there much so that you remember the feast by the number of exotic dishes, although in the middle of the night, you may still feel a little under-fed and hunt for a snack!

If you gush calling Bhansali an artist, his movies oh-so-beautiful, sheer poetry and all that, then Bajirao Mastani won’t disappoint!

… sumptuous retelling of the legend is strong on romance but weak on statecraft.

It is surely a must watch, doesn’t matter whether you are a Deepika, Ranveer or Priyanka fan; no two opinions about it! A perfect masterpiece by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Not forgetting to mention, it’s the kind of film that you will carry in your heart.

Its gimmicks, its indulgence, its flaws, all blend in by the time the end credits roll. The sweeping visuals, the distracting tapestry, the engaging love story and the unapologetic, unabashed love for the celluloid is what makes Bajirao Mastani haunting. Bajirao Mastani is monumental… Every line has a dialogue polished with care, every shot a dream you are bound to love. SLB has never been this earnest and that’s enough to forgive all his aiyashis he has subjected us to. This one is just Mohabbat…straight from the heart.

Ranveer Singh take a bow! You have ended the year with a BANG. Do not miss this cinematic brilliance at any cost. Book your tickets today.

If you appreciate Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s opulence and grandeur, this won’t disappoint. It can be a good one-time watch, for Deepika’s performance, if not anything else.

…may not be perfect but is a memorable, mesmerizing and dazzling piece of cinematic vision.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s latest offering is not much more than a visual spectacle…

Not Deepika, Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra lace this film with their brilliant performances. Watch the film for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s artistic vision and definitely Ranveer’s career-best act.

In all, Bajirao Mastani is an experience. And one that needs to be savoured in a theatre.

…a cinematic gem that you just cannot miss. Tremendous performances, deft direction, power-packed screenwriting and dialogue, melodious soundtrack and of course, the lavish mounting — this film has it all. Strongly recommended!

Bajirao Mastani is for those that think history is boring. There isn’t a dull moment in this colourful and dramatic film that embraces excess with unabashed abandon.