“BAWAAL” is a heartwarming tale of a dysfunctional couple, Ajay Dixit aka Ajju (Varun Dhawan), residing in Lucknow with his parents. He values his image and aura and manages to maintain it effectively. Ajju is a history teacher at a school, although he lacks knowledge about the subject, he successfully convinces others of his expertise. His marriage is arranged with Nisha (Janhvi Kapoor), a perfect match in every aspect. However, Nisha suffers from epilepsy, and her condition becomes a challenge for Ajju, leading to a strained relationship.
When Ajju slaps a student in school and faces suspension, he realizes the damage to his image. To redeem himself, he comes up with a plan – a Europe tour to educate his students about World War II, using locations where the war was fought. He convinces Nisha to accompany him on the journey, and this trip becomes a turning point in their lives.
Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s unique and promising storyline is complemented by Nikhil Mehrotra, Shreyas Jain, Piyush Gupta, and Nitesh Tiwari’s screenplay. The film strikes a perfect balance by delivering a strong message while keeping the audience entertained. The dialogues are witty and add humor to the narrative.
Nitesh Tiwari’s direction keeps the storytelling uncomplicated and easy to grasp. The characters of Ajju and Nisha are well-developed, and their evolving dynamics throughout the journey make the film engaging.
However, the second half of the film becomes a bit heavy, and some plot elements may be challenging to relate to for the general audience. The writing could have been more convincing in certain places, as it becomes difficult to believe how Ajju manages to maintain his facade at school without being exposed.
“Bawaal” starts strong with impactful character introductions and entertaining marital issues. The Paris sightseeing scenes and the hilarious character of Kalpesh add to the charm. The post-intermission portions are intriguing, particularly the parallels drawn with World War II. The climax, although slightly repetitive, delivers a positive conclusion.
Varun Dhawan delivers an impressive performance, making his character distinct from his previous roles. Janhvi Kapoor shows improvement in her acting, displaying a refined portrayal. Manoj Pahwa and Anjuman Saxena leave a mark with their performances, while Vyas Hemang surprises with his standout act as Kalpesh.
The songs add to the film’s appeal, with “Dilon Ki Doriyan” standing out as the best among the lot. The cinematography beautifully captures the European locales, and the production design adds authenticity to the settings. The costumes enhance the characters’ personalities, and the background score adds cinematic allure.
Overall, “BAWAAL” conveys an important message in an entertaining manner, thanks to the stellar performances of Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor. It is a tale of love, struggles, and redemption, making it a compelling watch.