Baazaar 2018
6.5 IMDB
6.5 IMDB
When he participates in the questionable business activities of his idol, a ruthless Mumbai stock magnate, a wide-eyed graduate discovers the dark side of ambition. He leaves his little town behind and relocates to a large city with tall towers.
Saif Ali Khan
Radhika Apte
Rohan Mehra
Chitrangada Singh
Denzil Smith
The canvas of "Baazaar" unfurls as a stock market saga interlaced with the glimmers of ambition and the shadows of greed. Directed by Gauravv K Chawla, the film takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride through the high-stakes world of finance. While it does attempt to capture the allure of Dalal Street's cutthroat dynamics, "Baazaar" falls short of painting a truly gripping picture.
The film's narrative is marred by a moth-balled and hackneyed treatment. The proceedings are punctuated by lackluster songs, and an overuse of background music attempts to artificially elevate each scene.
"Baazaar" revolves around the adage that greed is good, a mantra championed by a Hollywood icon. Saif Ali Khan steps into the shoes of Shakun Kothari, a Mumbai stock market magnate. Kothari thrives on high-stakes risks, amassing fortunes with audacity. But even the mightiest can falter. Rizwan Ahmad (played by Rohan Mehra), a small-town aspirant from Allahabad, rides the waves of hunger and ambition, embracing the world of finance. However, the veneer of invincibility eventually cracks.
The film's sleek visuals attempt to mask its shallowness, creating an impression that "Baazaar" could potentially be a passable venture. However, the film's Achilles' heel is the lackluster lead, Rohan Mehra. Amidst several issues plaguing "Baazaar," the fundamental concern is its intent.
Blame it on Martin Scorsese, the filmmaker behind "The Wolf of Wall Street," as "Baazaar" struggles under the weight of inspiration from greater works. While it doesn't copy the dynamic brilliance of Scorsese's masterpiece, the director seems entranced by the allure of stock market films, hastily attempting to join the league of legends.
"Greed is good" embodies the film's essence, embodied by Saif Ali Khan's portrayal of a ruthless stock market manipulator. Khan's performance resonates with authority and conviction. However, the film's lead is Rohan Mehra, a newcomer who fails to exude charisma. His performance feels mechanical, lacking the depth required for his character's transformation.
The film aspires to be a B-movie with a polished facade, hindered by Mehra's lackluster portrayal. The narrative grapples with potential but fails to deliver due to its subpar lead performance. It leaves audiences yearning for the days of charismatic antiheroes like Emraan Hashmi.
"Baazaar" borrows elements from masterpieces like "The Big Short," attempting to capture the intrigue of market manipulation and stock skulduggery. However, the execution falls short, especially when compared to Ryan Gosling's dynamic fourth-wall breaking in the aforementioned film. Mehra's lack of depth exacerbates the film's shortcomings.
The film's ensemble cast, including talented actors like Radhika Apte and Chitrangada Singh, is wasted due to weak character development. Apte's presence shines through montages and sequences set to music, but the film's dialogues leave her character flat and underwhelming. Singh, portraying Saif's wife, fails to convey emotions effectively.
Chawla's directorial approach leaves much to be desired. "Baazaar" seems like a half-hearted attempt to craft a narrative that delves into the nuances of greed and ambition. The lack of genuine storytelling effort hampers the film's potential, resulting in a lackluster cinematic experience.
Saif Ali Khan's performance as Shakun Kothari stands out as a pillar of strength amidst the film's shortcomings. His portrayal of a ruthless manipulator is marked by authority and conviction. Khan's ability to portray the thin line between civility and deception adds depth to the character.
While Khan's performance is undoubtedly commendable, the film as a whole struggles to rise above mediocrity. Its reliance on clichés and predictable plot points limits its impact, especially for audiences familiar with similar narratives in the genre.
"Baazaar" attempts to unravel the intricacies of the stock market world while delving into themes of greed and ambition. Saif Ali Khan's strong performance contributes significantly to the film's appeal. However, the lackluster portrayal by Rohan Mehra, combined with a shallow narrative, hampers the film's potential. While "Baazaar" aspires to be a slick B-movie, it falls short of delivering a truly captivating cinematic experience.
"Baazaar" revolves around themes of greed, ambition, and the dynamics of the stock market.
Saif Ali Khan's portrayal of Shakun Kothari, a ruthless stock market magnate, is marked by authority and conviction.
Rohan Mehra plays Rizwan Ahmad, a small-town aspirant who enters the world of finance, facing challenges and transformation.
Yes, the film shows influence from works like "The Wolf of Wall Street" and "The Big Short" in its portrayal of stock market manipulation and intrigue.
Talented actors like Radhika Apte and Chitrangada Singh are part of the ensemble cast, but their characters suffer from weak development and dialogues.
While Saif Ali Khan's performance is a standout, the film's shallow narrative and lackluster lead portrayal by Rohan Mehra limit its impact.
"Baazaar" aspires to explore the stock market world's intricacies, but it falls short of delivering a truly captivating experience due to its shortcomings.
The film embodies the adage "greed is good" through Saif Ali Khan's character, who represents a ruthless manipulator in the stock market world.
The film captures the allure and challenges of Dalal Street's high-stakes dynamics, but its execution lacks the gripping impact it aims for.
While the film tries to capture the intrigue of stock market manipulation, its reliance on clichés and predictable plot points limits its distinctiveness in the genre.