BAADSHAH (1999)

In the impressively varied line-up of roles Shahrukh has played since the beginning of his career, his character as private investigator Baadshah is yet another one that stands out and reveals more facets of his talents, such as comedy.  In fact, Baadshah allows him to demonstrate several layers of comedy in varying degrees of seriousness or humour. It is no surprise therefore, that Shahrukh was nominated as Best Comedian for his role in Baadshah at the 2000 Filmfare Awards. 

While not a real super hit like those in the romantic genre such as Dil To Pagal Hai two years earlier, or Mohabbatein a year later, Baadshah still has all the elements of a successful and entertaining movie.  It is a sophisticated combination of a serious plot and various bizarre comic situations, keeping the viewer in constant suspense and wondering what will happen next. 

A solid and credible story of crime and political assassination lays the foundation for this enjoyable mix of drama, action and comedy, while Shahrukh in the lead role makes everything blend and flow smoothly along.  Under the direction of the talented brother-duo, Abbas-Mustan, who successfully directed Shahrukh in the super hit Baazigar (1993), the complex nature of Baadshah is superbly crafted into a clever, enjoyable and fast-moving fun ride.

Some of the most entertaining segments feature Shahrukh pretending to be blind in order to win the love and sympathy of a girl, as well as the somewhat surreal scenes of Baadshah’s office which he shares with his motley crew of other aspiring private investigators.   More amusing confusion and misunderstandings take place when a government agent goes by the code-name of Baadshah and travels on the same plane as the amateur investigator and his crew.

More fun and action is added to the mix when Baadshah is given James Bond-style gadgets such as x-ray glasses and a car with all the Agent 007 accessories in order to carry out a secret mission he actually knows nothing about!  And just like a classic Bond movie, Baadshah escalates to a very thrilling and dramatic climax, which almost comes as a surprise after Baadshah’s comical bungling through most of the movie. 

This kind of comedy action demands even more carefully planned stunts and action sequences with fast and slick moves which Shahrukh executes with ease and skill.   And there are a number of such occasions involving an amusing cast of odd-looking bad guys, as well as the main troublemaker played by Amrish Puri, Bollywood’s quintessential villain, who has played a variety of such roles opposite Shahrukh in a number of movies.

Other high-profile names also make up the cast and crew of Baadshah, such as comedian Johnny Lever in one of his more entertaining parts, playing one of Baadshah’s side-kicks who gets carried away pretending to be an eye surgeon.   And of course, there is always some romance, this time with Twinkle Khanna who is the subject of Baadshah’s new case, but becomes his love interest as identities and relationships become mixed up and confused. 

Along with exceptionally good direction and choreography, Baadshah features music by Anu Malik, one of India’s top film score composers, and song lyrics by Javed Akhtar, also well known for many popular film songs.  Some songs from Baadshah have become huge and ever-popular hits, such as Baadshah Oh Baadshah and Who Ladki Jo, while a charming love song, Hum To Deewane Huye, with Twinkle Khanna is set in picturesque Europe, and Main To Hoon Pagal is exceptionally bizarre and funny.
 
Packed with such outstanding songs, exciting action and unexpected comical events as well as some serious drama, Baadshah has something for everyone, and shows that Shahrukh can deliver a thoroughly entertaining performance in a range of styles in the comedy genre. 

by Barbara Burkowsky

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