Love, revenge, and melodrama blend into a whirlwind of action in this intense, emotional film set against the gritty streets of Mumbai. Directed by Milap Zaveri, Marjaavaan stars Sidharth Malhotra, Riteish Deshmukh, Tara Sutaria, and Rakul Preet Singh in a movie that proudly wears the label of a masala entertainer. This 2019 film combines elements of action, romance, and tragedy, creating a world where larger-than-life emotions and fights reign supreme. Set in modern-day Mumbai, the film plays out on a canvas filled with violent confrontations and heartfelt drama, firmly placing it in the action-romantic drama genre.
The story revolves around Raghu, a gangster with a heart of gold, played by Sidharth, who works for a powerful crime lord named Narayan Anna. His world takes a turn when he falls in love with Zoya, a mute musician portrayed by Tara. Their love story is threatened by Vishnu, Narayan’s ruthless and vertically-challenged son, played by Riteish, who harbors a deep-seated hatred for Raghu. Driven by jealousy and his desire to prove himself worthy of his father’s legacy, Vishnu sets out to destroy Raghu’s life. The plot is an all-too-familiar tale of love, betrayal, and vengeance, with Raghu being forced into difficult choices that test his loyalty and strength.
The standout performance in the film undoubtedly comes from Riteish. Playing a vertically-challenged antagonist is a bold move, and he owns the role of Vishnu, bringing a menacing and unhinged quality to the character. Despite the film’s over-the-top nature, Riteish manages to strike a balance between evil and pitiful, creating a villain you can both fear and occasionally sympathize with. His performance is exaggerated at times but fits the film’s overall tone, with lines and scenes designed to create maximum impact. Sidharth, as the brooding hero, does a decent job of portraying the internal turmoil of Raghu, but his character feels one-dimensional at times. He’s got the brooding intensity down, but there’s little room for him to explore beyond the action hero archetype. Tara, as the mute Zoya, has limited scope in terms of dialogue, but she brings a certain grace to her role. Her chemistry with Sidharth is warm, but her character’s development is fairly shallow. Rakul Preet, in a supporting role as Aarzoo, adds some fire to the mix, but her character is underutilized in the larger scheme of things.
From a direction standpoint, Milap Zaveri makes it clear that Marjaavaan is a tribute to the ‘90s style of masala cinema. The film is unapologetically melodramatic, with punchy dialogues, slow-motion action sequences, and a musical score that heightens every emotional beat. However, while the film’s style is deliberate, it also feels dated and formulaic in parts. The direction works well in terms of pacing the action and ensuring the melodrama hits hard, but it lacks the subtlety and modern polish that would have elevated the material. Milap opts for a high-octane, unapologetic approach, but it often feels overdone, especially when the film tries to balance between action and tender romantic moments.
The music of Marjaavaan, composed by Tanishk Bagchi, Meet Bros, and others, is one of its strengths, with tracks like “Tum Hi Aana” and “Thodi Jagah” becoming quite popular. The songs are melodious and emotional, aligning perfectly with the film’s romantic and tragic themes. The background score, composed by Sandeep Shirodkar, is loud and dramatic, which fits the tone of the film but can feel overwhelming at times. The music, while effective in parts, mirrors the overall nature of the film—emotional, grand, but somewhat over the top. The songs are well-placed, and though they slow down the pacing in some areas, they manage to add depth to the love story between Raghu and Zoya.
Cinematography by Nirinan S. Iyengar captures the action and drama with a dark, gritty aesthetic that complements the grim underworld setting. The use of slow-motion during fight scenes, while stylized, can be overdone and repetitive. However, certain sequences, such as the romantic moments between Raghu and Zoya, are beautifully shot, with soft lighting and close-ups that add a layer of intimacy to their interactions. The fight choreography, while visually impactful, follows the tried-and-tested formula of Indian action cinema, with punches and kicks landing with exaggerated sound effects and dramatic pauses. Special effects, particularly in how Riteish’s character is shown as vertically challenged, are handled well for the most part, though there are moments where the CGI is evident.
Another important element that contributes to the film’s feel is the costume design. Raghu’s rugged look, consisting of leather jackets and boots, fits his tough-guy persona, while Zoya’s delicate, simple outfits mirror her character’s purity and innocence. Vishnu’s wardrobe, on the other hand, adds to his character’s flamboyant yet menacing personality, with his slicked-back hair and sharp suits making him stand out in the crowd of henchmen and gangsters.
Thematically, Marjaavaan explores love, sacrifice, and the battle between good and evil. The movie takes a fairly black-and-white approach to its characters—Raghu is the hero who’s capable of redemption through love, while Vishnu is the twisted villain who will stop at nothing to get his way. The film attempts to inject deeper emotional themes but ultimately keeps things simple, focusing on the love story and revenge angle. There’s an old-school Bollywood feel to the theme, with dialogue-heavy confrontations and tearful love ballads underscoring the emotional beats. However, the simplicity in storytelling can make the film feel predictable, especially for seasoned moviegoers who have seen these tropes play out before.
As a whole, Marjaavaan is a mixed bag. It’s a film that knows what it wants to be and goes all out in doing so. If you’re a fan of larger-than-life Bollywood masala films with intense emotions, love stories, and exaggerated action sequences, this movie will likely resonate with you. The performances, especially from Riteish as the villain, are strong, and the music helps elevate the film’s emotional appeal. However, the film’s reliance on clichés and its lack of subtlety might deter those looking for something more innovative or nuanced. The action is loud, the emotions are louder, and the film delivers exactly what it promises—an over-the-top, melodramatic spectacle.
For those who enjoy high-octane Bollywood drama with a heavy dose of romance and revenge, Marjaavaan is worth a watch. It’s not groundbreaking cinema, but it’s entertaining in its own exaggerated way. Just be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions and some predictable twists along the way.
