Bollywood’s big Eid release makes a passionate plea to mend the relations between the peoples of India and Pakistan. When Shahida (Harshaali Malthotra), a six-year-old mute Pakistani girl is left stranded in India, she meets Bajrangi (Salman Khan) a devout Hindu devotee of Hanuman, the monkey-god. When attempts to return Shahida to Pakistan fail, our determined hero takes it upon himself to personally escort his ward home by crossing illegally into Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. Along the way, Bajrangi must not only confront his own religious, cultural and national prejudices but also spread the word of tolerance to both nations.
It is commendable to see mainstream Hindi cinema tackling contentious issues in a light and, in the main, non-preachy manner. However, since this is a major masala movie featuring superstar Salman Khan don’t expect a complex examination of these sensitive issues. Although director Kabir Khan has coaxed a more sober performance from his leading man, toning down his hammy antics. Still, Kabir does manage to pack in the usual ingredients: the obligatory love interest, a big dance number about ‘selfies’ and some witty humour involving male circumcision. Its ‘borders do not separate hearts’ message may be simplistic, manipulative, even but it delivers an emotional topical punch.