Review of Bhoothnath Returns- This film couldn’t have been timed better, with the national elections looming large, and I will add, couldn’t have been better made considering the market pressures.
The plot is about how Bhootnath, played very well by Amitabh Bachchan, returns to earth on an unfinished task. Here on earth, he gets embroiled in a bigger election battle that is brewing in the narrow by lanes of Dharavi. His foil in the ploy is a young boy, who emerges as the real hero of the film.
The story is simple yet very well written and employs ethereal theme of rebirth to put in perspective the value of karma. It also ascribes responsibility to the individual, rather than heaping blame on the system or promoting chaos, revolution or retribution. It brings out beautifully, the power vested in individual by the democratic form of governance and without sounding corny, hammy or preachy, delivers the message home. The plot is very relevant to the Indian milieu and red tape and bone crunching bureaucracy are made fun of, just enough to tug at heartstrings of the Govt servants but not to estrange them. It is in scenes like this that one realises how well the film walks the tightrope of balanced portrayal.
All credit to the director, who made use deft use of music, parallel narratives, cricket analogy and juxtaposition delivers a film that replicates the quality of Hollywood films such as Bruce Almighty that entertain whilst delivering a nice message.
The film doesn’t take itself too seriously yet doesn’t get frivolous. Working for the nation, with good governance as agenda and placing the onus of being upright on children as well adults, is what the unmistakable message Amitabh delivers as the naive Bhoothnath. Calling this film a children’s movie would be incorrect for it befits adults as well. 4.5 Star.