Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Disha Patani, Sunil Grover, Jackie Shroff and Sonali Kulkarni

Director: Ali Abbas Zafar

Rating: ***1/2

With changing times, the Hindi film industry too has become amiable to it. There was a time when a superstar was enough for a film to make it a huge success but in this new millennial, it's no more the case. The industry has gone sea change especially in the last five years... and Netflix and Prime are majorly responsible for it. Big budget theatrical movies are quick to realise this change and thinking out of the box to create wholesome entertainment that can rake a quick moolah. This has also resulted in big league actors becoming choosy and doing just doing a movie or two instead of dishing out around 3-4 films in a year. With so much content available on different platforms, theatres are not the only source of entertainment nowadays so it is tough to make a viewer come to the cinema to watch a film.

The often quoted line that a superstar doesn't need a good script or a good director to make the film a hit, is no longer true. In today's time, you need all the ingredients to make a good film and reach those box office numbers. Yes, superstars do have the advantage of their added appeal and huge fan following but a good script really helps; and Bharat is just that movie for Salman Khan.

This Eid, whether you are a Bhai fan or not, you surely will like what Bharat has to offer.


Coming to the film, Bharat is an official adaptation of the Korean film 'Ode to my Father' (2014). It revolves around the story of a boy, Bharat (Salman Khan) who is separated from his family in the Indo-Pak partition and how he makes both ends meet. The film shows his life from post-independence as a young boy to his old age and his four different looks in his journey from being a teenager to an old grey-bearded man.


Bharat who has seen a lot in his early life while growing up leads the path of being a righteous man and leads on to become a man who wants to fulfill all the promises he has made to his missing father. The narration of the film sees Bharat taking up odd jobs and bumping into the love of his life Kumud (Katrina Kaif) who is spirited and makes the first move on him saying "I love you - Shaadi ki umar ho gayi hai meri. Tumse shaadi karna chahti hoon"', in her jolly tone. Katrina has really evolved as an actor and gone are the days when she was only considered good looking with little theatrical abilities. Bharat is till date the best role of Katrina and she has done full justice to her role. Kumud as a character is strong and charming at the same time. Ali Abbas Zafar has characterized her with panache. Portraying a strong character by a woman can sometimes become too offensive and rude but this is not the case with Kumud. As always, Salman and Katrina's chemistry is amazing on screen and looks natural.


Vilayati (Sunil Grover) who is Bharat's best friend is a great fit and their friendship on screen comes across as very pure and enjoyable to watch. It reminds one of the close buddies. Jackie Shroff and Sonali Kulkarni are also a fit in the script and have completely surrendered to their parts. Ali Abbas Zafar has always been one of those directors who knows what he wants from his actors; and nuances in his film amply display this trait of his. Although there are times when you feel a little out of place because as there is too much happening on the screen at any given point of time. Maybe, this could have been controlled.

The music of the film is done by Vishal-Shekhar and there are a couple of songs which don't go well with the screenplay of the film and could have been avoided but as a single track, they are melodious.

Bharat is a film for which you should indulge in at a theatre - for it promises great entertainment with some amazing performances. It shall certainly lead to nostalgia in many and hence result in making you emotional. This touching yet crisp ride is a perfect getaway this Eid!