“Bawaal: A Tasteless Redemption Romcom that Crosses the Line”

Film Review: Bawaal – A Redemption Romcom in Spectacularly Poor Taste

Introduction

In the world of Bollywood, where larger-than-life stories and extravagant productions usually take center stage, there are bound to be moments where taste is questioned. “Bawaal,” directed by an acclaimed filmmaker, attempts a redemption romcom storyline revolving around a flawed protagonist and his journey towards self-improvement. While the premise of the film in itself is serviceable, the execution and the choice of using second world war sites as a backdrop for the romance is rather misjudged and tasteless.

A Tale of Redemption

The film follows the story of Ajay (played by Varun Dhawan), a history teacher who masquerades as a tough individual with a perfect life. However, his true shortcomings are revealed when he loses his cool and slaps a legislator’s son in school, putting his job in jeopardy. In an attempt to salvage his reputation, Ajay embarks on a plan to film history lessons at key second world war sites in Europe and send them to his students. The film takes an expected turn when Ajay’s wife Nisha (played by Janhvi Kapoor), whom he resents due to her epilepsy, accompanies him on the journey, eventually leading to their love story.

A Flawed Connection

While Kapoor delivers a mature and understated performance as Nisha and Dhawan convincingly portrays the cretinous Ajay, the connection between the two characters never feels fully believable. This lack of connection is only exacerbated by the film’s misguided attempts to intertwine their romance with the darkest chapter in European history.

Misuse of Historical Events

The film reaches the height of tastelessness when the characters visit Auschwitz, the infamous Nazi concentration camp, and encounter a survivor who equates their relationship struggles to the horrors of Auschwitz. Such comparisons not only trivialize the suffering of the victims but also diminish the significance of the historical event itself. Moreover, the portrayal of the couple ending up in striped uniforms, resembling concentration camp prisoners, further crosses the line of appropriateness.

Reverse Exploitation

While it is not uncommon for Western films to use other countries’ histories as a backdrop in questionable ways, seeing this exploitation done in reverse, with an Indian film exploiting European history, does bring an unexpected twist. However, this twist does little to redeem the film, as the rest of it lacks the necessary elements of fun, pep, humor, and charm that could have balanced out its poor taste.

Editorial

It is essential for filmmakers to exercise caution and sensitivity when depicting historical events, especially those as tragic and significant as the second world war. Using such events as a mere plot device in a romance film not only trivializes their importance but also risks causing offense and ultimately damaging the artistic integrity of the movie. While artistic license is important, it should not be exercised at the expense of historical truth and respect for the victims.

Philosophical Discussion

This film raises an important question about the ethics of using historical events for entertainment purposes. Should filmmakers be allowed to exploit the past to further their storylines, or do they have a responsibility to handle such sensitive subject matter with the utmost care and respect? By intertwining a romance plot with the atrocities of the second world war, “Bawaal” blurs the line between entertainment and the ethical considerations surrounding historical events.

Advice to Filmmakers

When tackling sensitive historical events, filmmakers should approach the subject matter with meticulous research, empathy, and an understanding of the gravity of the events they are portraying. While artistic freedom is important, it should not come at the expense of truth and respect. It is crucial to strike a balance between storytelling and the moral responsibility that comes with representing real-world tragedies.

In conclusion, “Bawaal” falls short in its execution by exploiting the darkest chapter in European history for the sake of a romance plot. While the premise of redemption is serviceable, the tasteless use of second world war sites as a backdrop raises questions about the ethical boundaries of entertainment. Filmmakers should exercise caution and sensitivity when handling such historical events to ensure the integrity of both the art form and the stories that deserve to be told.