Vidulla Kulkarni

The movie walks us through childhood friendship, it's evolution into adulthood, varying ambitions, complicated relationships and a perspective on humanity, violence, hatred and redemption. Superb direction, colossal cinematography, and flawless performances by the entire cast especially the leads with starstriking, towering performances from the newcomer Sushant Singh Rajput and the infallible Rajkummar Rao. The movie leaves you full of love, tears, anguish and makes you root for it in every way. A winner through and through!

It is as usual a vastly and intimidatingly painted picture. A larger than life canvas and an even more enormous dream. The sets, the costumes are all very beautiful. But the real catch is Shahid Kapoor, not given elbow space or a lot of dialogues - he weaves magic with his eyes, body language and delivery. His poise, timing and ferocity are pitch perfect. Even though the effort Ranveer Singh has put into his portrayal is obvious, it's Shahid Kapoor who stole my heart. The music is folksy and catchy but repetitive and resonates with the same patterns as those of Bhansali's previous movies.

Though Walter White is a character you at times despise and whose actions you simultaneously sympathize with, Jesse is the true anchor of the show. Right from the first scene, the innocence of this lost boy is obvious under that carefully developed facade every time he fixes Mr. White with that wary, wide-eyed and childlike gaze that betrays the utter confusion lurking right beneath that careless, wannabe mafiosa exterior. He makes you fall in love with all the darkest and grayest parts of him with his heartfelt remorse at true, cold-blooded violence. Hats off to Aaron Paul as well as Bryan Cranston for their riveting, relatable and gloriously real performances.

Eye-opening, engaging, real and thoroughly marvellous! A thought provoking genius of a movie.