Bawaal Movie Review: Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor’s Film Misses the Mark on Historical Accuracy.

It’s quite surprising to see Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor in a film delving into World War II and Hitler. They’re undoubtedly talented actors, but in “Bawaal,” they seem to navigate through a complex storyline that blends a coming-of-age tale with the historical backdrop of World War II. The trailer of “Bawaal” left many of us scratching our heads, trying to figure out the connection between the holocaust and present-day Lucknow. However, the film manages to weave a connection through Ajay, a prominent figure in Lucknow, linking him to a significant historical period. Ajay, portrayed by Dhawan, is a history teacher more focused on his image than his actual teaching. His journey unfolds a deeper layer of insecurity and dissatisfaction in his life. As Ajay faces challenges at school and a temporary suspension, his main concern remains preserving his self-created heroic image. This leads him to embark on a trip to Europe, setting the stage for an intriguing exploration of self-discovery and historical ties.

So, the film kind of tries to juggle too many things at once, making the storyline a bit messy. It’s got Ajju and Nisha’s love story, the whole war theme, Ajju’s personal growth journey, and the message about appreciating what you have in life. It’s like they crammed all these different elements into one plot, and the end result isn’t the greatest.

The way they keep switching between black and white for the war scenes and color for the main characters’ story can be a bit jarring. It’s like they’re trying to blend a coming-of-age tale with a historical event, similar to Ranbir Kapoor’s movies, but it feels a bit forced here.

The actors give it their best shot, especially Manoj Pahwa, Janhvi Kapoor, and Varun Dhawan, but the weak screenplay lets them down at times. The fun part was when Dhawan’s character gets mixed up with a group of Gujarati tourists on a flight to Paris, leading to some hilarious mix-ups. It may stereotype the Gujarati community a bit, but it does bring on the laughs.

“Bawaal” kind of asks you to go along with the writer and director on their storytelling journey, which can feel like a bit of a stretch. While many films have successfully tackled World War II themes with depth and lessons, “Bawaal” falls short in delivering a clear and engaging narrative.