Bajrangi Bhaijaan Completes 8 Years: Salman Khan's Spectacle Unites India and Pakistan In A Blockbuster Film

Bollywood's Bhai and superstar Salman Khan earlier said on a Koffee with Karan episode that he is not the most gifted artist or the most attractive man in any room he has been in. His countless supporters will be the first to disagree. Salman might, however, have a point. If we're being really honest, some performers may possess both of those traits in spades, but they can only aspire to possess Khan's connection with the audience and his imposing presence in the future.

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This quality of Khan also contributed to the success of ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ (2015), which grossed over Rs 918 crore against a reported budget of 90 crore.

But compared to his past performances, what Salim Khan, Salman's father and a renowned screenwriter, once stated about the actor seems to be more accurate. The actor's commanding presence on screen, along with a skillfully written script by Khan, Parveez Sheikh, and V Vijayendra Prasad, really drives the plot ahead and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats as they wait for a satisfying resolution.

The plot was made obvious in the trailer: a young Pakistani girl who had been abandoned by her parents and had found herself in India naturally bonded with Khan's naïve and impressionable Pawan Kumar Chaturvedi as soon as she arrived. Naturally, Khan steps in to make sure that "Munni" (played by the endearing Harshaali Malhotra) and her parents, who are understandably terrified and worried about what might have happened to her, are safely reunited.

Let's not forget that the release of ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ coincided with already high tensions between India and Pakistan. However, this movie was approved by both censor boards on the other side. Pakistan may have been relieved to see themselves in a favorable light, as Kabir Khan had presented them in the film, as they are frequently portrayed as the clear "villain" in such features.

‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, despite having the correct intentions, might have found it challenging to open in theaters today due to its subject matter alone. I'm glad it came out when it did because it might have been contentious and would have had a restricted release, if at all. We had the wonderful pleasure to watch an enjoyable Indian "masala" film as well as a unique kind of performance from Bhai, who genuinely succeeded in showcasing every facet of his "hero" persona.

Khan appeared to be having a great time and not just doing the part of "The Salman Khan" while he was crying, fighting the thugs, and showing a simple, unworldly, and sweet side.

Then there was Nawazuddin Siddiqui's brilliant performance as reporter Chand Nawab. For Khan's gullible Chaturvedi, Nawaz was the ideal friend.

‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ also happens to be the last Bollywood movie before 83 where Kabir seemed to be genuinely attempting to do something original with the genre's pre-established conventions. A surprisingly good job was done.

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You can watch ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ on Disney Plus Hotstar.