The return of Bhai cult- Dabang 3 is the need of the hour!

The spark was missing! Sudden glimpse of the intense eye, twirling of the shiny bracelet, thunder created with the heavy foot banging the ground, the 360 degree volcanic eruption of dust- behind the realm of which our Bhai would emerge- undeterred & unconquered! What follows is a typical action scene underlying the dominance of the ‘Bhai cult’ in the movie- rustic fight sequences garnished with his trademark facial expression and topped with larger than life moves and reactions. And then comes the majestic one liner which becomes the core of the movie. The entire preparation is often followed by a coarse but lyrical song which sets the mood and invigorates the emotions of the audience. The typical ‘Bhai cult’- sadly missing in #Bajrangi Bhaijan.

Movies which represent the typical ‘Bhai cult’ leads to reassertion of his identity- that this is who he is, this is what has made him, this is what we are proud about him and this is what we want him to be. The task of every new feature is to find new ways (and to revive the old ones) of expressing his style; just as we thrive through technological development; to find new ways being Bhai but not playing around with the core philosophy.

Bajrangi Bhaijan (BB) may be a great movie- a tremendous concoction of emotions, passion and purity, with an intention to deliver a good message. But it lacks the typical depiction of the ‘Bhai cult’. Simple entry, humanizing behavior, requesting with folded hands, explaining, shrieking, crying, pleading…. Oh wait, this led a tremor of shock­- This is very different. This is not ‘Bhai’. Yes, there are features where Bhai has pleaded or explained, but has retaliated with a stylized power play burst in the climax, making up for a slow run rate earlier on. But this one goes one step back with Bhai wrapped in a shawl covering his muscular shines and requiring a stick to walk- representing empathy. What about the abrasiveness, the casualness, being rough, raw and unpolished. It’s all missing.

Rejecting pacifism, upholding righteous war, underlying compassion, articulating the ethic of action and finally delivering the knockout punch- This is what Bhai cult is all about. I am not debating whether BB is a great movie or not. But it surely lacks the Bhai cult. Imagine, watching Virendar Sehwag relying on singles and doubles to complete his century. The movies which Bhai should do is of course his choice and the intention is not to get into that- the intention is to see the return of the ‘Bhai cult’. After all one of my friends rightly said: “There is no Bhaijan in this Bajrangi”.