In Bawaal, starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, Nitesh Tiwari (Dangal) directs a drama about a young couple set in modern Lucknow. The story written by his spouse and writer-director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari (who made the excellent Nil Battey Sannaataa) interestingly juxtaposes the personal as well as inter-personal conflicts in their lives with a wider canvas of the world war.
Varun plays Ajay Dikshit aka Ajju Bhai, sporting a macho image to the outside world while trying to cloak his insecurities arising from being a mediocre all along, including what he cribs as a drab job of being a history teacher. Janhvi plays a much more competent and grounded Nisha, albeit having to struggle with challenges of her own. What begins as a normal marriage soon descends into discord when Ajju fails to face the reality. A series of events result in the couple embarking on a journey across Europe, visiting locations connected with the second world war.
What unfolds is a pretty good drama as the trip thaws a frosty relationship and pushes Ajju to face his deep seated anxieties. Helped with a good dose of humour, scenic vistas and intelligent interplay between the history and contemporary, the narrative keeps it simple as it chugs along briskly with minimal melodrama and even its contrivances are not too jarring. Both Varun and Janhvi turn in convincing performances and. are supported well by artists playing cameos.
AN ENGAGING WATCH !
RATING - 3/5
PS - Streaming on Amazon Prime
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