Set in the rustic surroundings of a village in Haryana, Matru ki Bijlee ka Mandola is a comedy-drama about Harry Mandola (Pankaj Kapur), a wealthy industrialist who loves his drink, his daughter Bijlee (Anushka Sharma) and the unusual bond they both share with Harry’s Man Friday, Matru (Imran Khan).
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola- movie review
Much to her father’s delight, Bijlee is all set to marry Baadal (Arya Babbar), the son of a powerful politician Chaudhari Devi (Shabana Azmi).
Mandola, a wealthy businessman, has hatched a selfish plan, as he wants the villagers to hand over their land to the authorities, and then, in turn, he can buy the land from them. He wants to build a car factory.
This wily chap has a weakness – his drinking habit. Once he is down with a few drinks, his genuine personality comes upfront. So this ruthless businessman turns into a Robin Hood type of a character, and then incites the villagers to fight against his own scheming plan.
So, to avoid this situation to occur, Harry Mandola has hired Matru (Imran Khan). Matru is indebted to Harry as Mandola loaned money to his grandfather his (Matru’s) education.
Behind this conniving plan is the greedy politician Chaudhari Devi who always wishing bad for the farmers, so they fall prey to Mandola’s scheme.
Her son Baadal is set to marry Mandola’s daughter Bijlee. And Bijlee is even more than happy to marry him, as she is sure that he can easily take care of all her luxuries.
This alliance which is far from just being a simple union of two young people becomes the seed for a story that brings twists and turns in the lives of Matru, Bijlee and Mandola…
As in his previous flicks, this one too, tackles serious issue again, yet it has fine unconventional humour.
Everything in this movie is original and unlike the usual Bollywood stuff. Music is creative cum ethnic, the setting in the interiors of some place in Haryana, India, the plot line and even the twists. Everything is original. Notably, the Haryanvi setting.
Its refreshing to hear Gulzar’s lyrics and Vishal has impressively amalgamated western rhythms to typical folk tunes in Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola.
Also pleasing is to see Imran, unlike his chocolate boy image with this village boy like performance. This hard working boy and is improving. Anushka’s character is truly complex as that of a bubbly and a mischievous lass. Pankaj Kapur enacts his role effortlessly be it in singing, dancing or the usual emotional scenes.
Aarya Babbar is one actor who is struggling since years. He makes a presence in this notable performance.
Vishal Bhardwaj’s films are critically acclaimed for the simple reason that this talented story-teller cum music composer weaves honest, original and simple story-line of different genres. This fine film, has its funny moments, and where is lacks is in its lengthy story telling.
Credits & Crew of Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola:
Studio – Fox Star India
Producers – Vishal Bhardwaj, Kumar Mangat Pathak
Director – Vishal Bhardwaj
Story – Vishal Bhardwaj
Music Director – Vishal Bhardwaj
Lyricist – Gulzar
Editor – Sreekar Prasad
Background Music – Vishal Bhardwaj
Cinematography – Kartik Vijay
Action – Shyam Kaushal
Screenplay – Abhishek Chaubey, Vishal Bhardwaj
Dialogues – Vishal Bhardwaj
Sound Design – P M Satheesh
Choreographers – Saroj Khan, Bosco Martis, Caesar Gonsalves
Costume Designer – Payal Saluja
Cast:
Imran Khan – Hukum Singh Matru
Anushka Sharma – Bijlee
Pankaj Kapoor – Harry Mandola
Shabana Azmi – Chaudhari Devi
Aarya Babbar – Baadal
Navneet Nishan
Ranvir Shorey
Lekha Washington (cameo appearance)