As a film student I make sure that I’m up to date with everything that goes on in world cinema. Any new international film that makes the news excites me. However, it is nice to go to back to your roots for a change. I’ve put myself into a habit of watching more Hindi films so that I’m always aware what is working in my country. I’m a Maharashtrian, so I come from a culture of films. However, the Marathi industry is not at its best currently. Once a thriving industry, Marathi cinema is struggling, both financially and in quality. So, it was a breath of fresh air to see a Marathi film doing so well at the box office while having competition like Oppenheimer, Barbie and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The film I’m referring to is Baipan Bhaari Deva. If you’re here then you’ve already heard about the film if not already seen it. So, is the film any good? Let’s discuss!
Baipan Bhaari Deva Review: An Emotional Roller Coaster!
HOC Rating – ★★
Baipan Bhaari Deva is directed by Kedar Shinde and it is an emotion filled comedy with dramatic commentary through the story of six sisters who are separated from each other, and face (and overcome) multiple problems like family, personal and of financial nature. The film released on 30th June and is still playing in Maharashtra. Made on a budget of only Rs. 5 crores, BBD has earned Rs. 83.5 crores. This makes it the 3rd highest grossing Marathi film globally, following Sairat (Rs. 110 crores) and Ved (Rs. 85 crores).
Soon it will replace Ved to move to the second position. It has also become the 2nd highest grossing Marathi film in India, second only to Sairat (Rs. 80 crores), having eclipsed Ved (Rs. 60 crores) about 15 days ago. So, why is the film performing so well? An incredible narrative? Unforgettable performances? Supreme technical brilliance? Not at all. The film has none. I believe there is something more working in its favor and for us to understand that we have to look at it in a more mature manner.
The story is something we’ve seen many times, even in Marathi cinema. Jhimma was similar. A group of women helping each other to find themselves as they get over the problems between themselves is not an unheard concept. When it comes to performances Vandana Gupte and Rohini Hattangadi take the cake. They’re veterans of Marathi cinema and it shows. Other actors do a decent job at their roles. The writing is workable, they create enough subplots between the sisters but the overall narrative feels fragmented, disjointed and episodic.
It is almost like events happen so that the larger goal of the filmmaker can be achieved. This problem is from the start and the film doesn’t shy away from it. Technically, the film looks as good as a Rs. 5 crores production can look like. The treatment of the film is quite generic and Shinde has not done anything interesting visually. The film is about feminism of course but unlike Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and Barbie it surprisingly doesn’t feel like a lecture on it. Subtle narrative plot points suggest us so.
Baipan Bhaari Deva Review: Why Is It Working?
Coming to the reason why the film is working. Timing. For a cinephile’s taste (like me), the emotions and narrative is generic but for the normal audience who don’t come to the theatres quite often, this is the ideal film for them. A film about family. Oppenheimer and Barbie is only for the elites everywhere in Maharashtra just like the rest of India. The growing hate for Bollywood has restricted RRPK’s success in rural areas. So, whenever a family wants to do an outing, they choose a nice, sweet film like BBD.
Watching movies at the theatres is like a family event for the normal audience. So, Baipan Bhaari Deva is the perfect match for a family’s requirements as they’ll have a nice time with this sanitized and chirpy narrative full of emotions. During the film, I just took a gander around the theatre and everyone including my mom were tearing up in the emotional moments. They connected to the characters, as they got a sense of relatability to them even if the way that was done was very generic to my taste.
However, I understand why the film is working because the issues shown in the film are things that working class women are dying to say. So, when they see a film saying all that in a language familiar to them in an Indian setting, the film works. At the end of the day, the audiences’ opinion is the one that matters.
Verdict
Baipan Bhaari Deva is a fun film which won’t disappoint you if you take your family out for a nice day out. I won’t watch this film alone. Even if you’re into much more refined cinema then too, the film floats along while you munch on popcorn and samosas. You won’t be bored. So, if you’ve not seen BBD yet, go have a nice time with your family. After a long time, Marathi cinema is seeing some much needed success and we should support it by going to the theatres. I’ll rate the film 2 out of 5 stars. However, when it comes to the box office, BBD is 5 out of 5 stars.
Baipan Bhaari Deva is currently playing in theatres near you.
If you have any questions regarding Baipan Bhaari Deva, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!
