Here are the reviews for Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola:
Ratings:3/5 Review By: Srijana Mitra Das Site: Times of India (TOI)
Here's my angst - this movie could have been so much more. Like champagne gone flat, the film's left lying about for too late, its plot meandering everywhere (including a plane ride through moon-lit clouds, ending in a Maoist meeting), the director so determined to have fun that often, the viewer doesn't. Sure, there are hilarious moments involving pink buffaloes and deep wells, Shakespeare and Sheila Dixit, even a laal rang ka kachcha, and it's all very clever - but where's the self-control? With its intellectual foundation and dramatic potential, MKBKM needed disciplined direction, not wandering shots, predictable banter or dull crudity.
On the upside, Azmi's performance is effortlessly evil until the last swig. Anushka plays her now-familiar loud-spunky-sexy babe, unconvincing but attractive as an eccentric rustic. But despite her Pond-girl entry in see-through top and teeny shorts, Mandola's heart-throb is Imran Khan who's red-hot (literally), stubble and a sardonic air pumping his sex-appeal. With its Trilbys and tractors, malls and Maoism, its stretch limo and smart-boy! lines, MKBKM could have been such a fun ride. But sadly, director ka bhi man dola, rather too often.
Ratings:-- Review By: Sneha May Francis Site: EMIRATES 24/7
‘Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola’ takes us into a whirlwind journey that’s incredibly crafted, brilliantly textured, and lusciously witted. The narrative never loses focus, and plods along with effortless ease and impeccable finesse. Each situation is created with utmost sincerity and each line is written with tremendous delight. He uses his quirky sense of humour to turn the politics of an unjust society, and probably Hindi cinema, around. And, he’s got an aged, double-layered landlord, a light-eyed Communist and a gorgeous wild child to help him in the exercise. His satire remains what it sets out to do, without ever shifting into a full-fledged reform movement. And, therein lies his brilliance.
Rating:3/5 Review By: Saibal Chatterjee Site: NDTV
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola is hurt the most by the erratic performances of the lead actors. Imran Khan and Anushka Sharma, playing villagers who have been educated in the big city, are anything but consistent with the Haryanvi patois and accent.
Pankaj Kapur is the pivot of the film. However, his character is over-wrought, if not over the top. The actor pushes himself as far as he can within the limitations imposed on him by the screenplay, but this performance of his is unlikely to rank among his best. Shabana Azmi is saddled with what is almost a walk-on part. There isn’t much she can do to add value to the mix.
Be that as it may, I would still recommend Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola.
Few filmmakers in Mumbai engage with ideas and issues of contemporary relevance as felicitously as Bhardwaj. He might have fallen short this time around, but even when he is not at his best, he is infinitely better than most in the business. A director who does not fear failure merits our support.
Rating:4/5 Review By: Raja Sen Site: Rediff
But make no mistake, this is a one-actor show, giving the greatest thespian in our country another delightfully odd space. Pankaj Kapur is the best we've had, and -- as he hallucinates, as he rouses the people, as he steels himself -- this is all a reminder of that.
Laced with both acid and arsenic, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola isn't everyone's cup of tea. It takes a while to get into its groove, but changes gears with spectacular finesse after that.
And no matter the slight niggles: this is a film that goes far out on a limb, and gives us both bedlam and nuances, enough to warrant repeated viewings. And more than enough to love. Oh boy oh boy indeed.
Rating:2/5 Review By: Taran Adarsh Site: Bollywood Hungama
MATRU KI BIJLEE KA MANDOLA is definitely not Vishal's best work, though the master touch is evident in several sequences. The story barely moves in the first hour; there are stretches when the account begins to blur. Thankfully, the sequence of events and some exceptional moments in the post-interval portions save the film from tripping. At the same time, I wish to add that the film could've done with some judicious trimming for a stronger impact. It's way too lengthy!
On the whole, MATRU KI BIJLEE KA MANDOLA holds your attention in parts, but that's not enough. The first half is lackluster, while the post-interval part catches some steam. However, the excessive length plays a spoilsport. Below expectations!
Rating:-- Review By: Vivek Kaul Site: FirstPost
Directors who do make hatke pictures do not need to go around telling the world that their movie is a little hatke. Vishal Bhardwaj is one such director and his latest movie Matru ki Bijli ka Mandola (MKBKM) falls into that category. It is genuinely hatke. The only fair comparison I can make is with the 1983 comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (JBDY).
Pankaj Kapoor gives the finest performance of his life in what is his first mainstream lead role. Shabana Azmi stands out in a small but a pivotal role. The writing of the film is what makes it the classic that it will eventually become.
On the flip side the movie has too many cuss words (which I thoroughly enjoyed) and thus is likely to keep the family audiences away.
Rating:3/5 Review By: Troy Ribeiro Site: IANS
Bhardwaj has managed to package the film well. The treatment is indeed poetic and smooth. The cinematography is good and inspiring. The dialogues and lyrics are hard hitting with messages and oodles of entertainment, mostly double entendre.
The plot is layered and complex, but not without flaws. The barbs on the political system and society are contemporary and may lose their context in years to come, very reminiscent of Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) plays.
"Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola" may not have a universal appeal, but it is thoroughly entertaining.
Rating:2/5 Review By: Shubhra Gupta Site: Indian Express
The film passed me by in the first hour. It enticed me back again in the second half. But not enough to make me forget the inert prologue, which is minus drama, which is Bhardawaj’s true forte. Iss Matru aur uski Bijlee se mann kam dola.
Rating:-- Review By: Sanjukta Sharma Site: Live Mint
Its ambition to reach out to the big picture derails Matru ki Bijlee ka Mandola. In overreaching, Bhardwaj ends up underplaying his characters. In conception, the two men and the woman have layers, but after watching the film, you feel little for them. When a story tries too hard, you can’t laugh or marvel at it; you forget it.
Rating:2/5 Review By: Resham Senger Site: Zee News
With the quirky title that it is bestowed with, ‘Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola’ befits the category of a rustic comic caper. Sure, it does that but only in bits and pieces. It seems that ace film maker and music director Vishal Bhardwaj had the best possible resources to make his film except a sturdy script thereby making it score less in the quality department as compared to his other works.
There is nothing out-of-the-box in ‘Matru Ki Bijee Ka Mandola’ except Gulabi Bhains and honestly you won’t miss out on anything even if you give this film a miss!
Rating:-- Review By: Shilpa Jamkhandikar Site: Reuters
The star of the film is undoubtedly Pankaj Kapur. As Mandola, he is quirky, feisty and energetic and overshadows both young actors with the sheer energy he brings to the screen. Azmi gives him a run for his money, playing a deliciously evil character. I wish her exit had been written better though.
"Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola" is a disappointing film, one that could have been so much more.
Rating:4/5 Review By: Khalid Mohammed Site: Deccan Chronicle
And indeed co-writer-music composer-and-director Vishal Bharadwaj’s 'Matru ki Bijlee ka Mandola' (read that 10 times to remember the title) does opt for the satirical and faintly surrealistic mode which is commendable. But the outcome doesn’t amount to a satisfying stretch of entertainment.
That’s the drift of a satire, which could have been one knockout of a movie, if the director had exercised a measure of self-control and had narrated the story with clarity. On the plus side, the locations meant to depict Haryana are extremely well-chosen, and the music score has its bouncy riffs.
Of the cast, Ranvir Sheorey is wasted in a teeny cameo. Shabana Azmi is competent but the role isn’t worth her calibre. Pankaj Kapur is assigned the chunkiest and layered role, which he does justice to, but it certainly doesn’t rank among his best. Anushka Sharma mistakes overacting for a tom-boyish appeal. Here’s an actress in desperate need of restraint. Imraan Khan, as Matru, is endurable. Like the rest of this satire gone awry.
Rating:3/5 Review By: India Today Site: India Today
Bhardwaj has managed to package the film well. The treatment is indeed poetic and smooth. The cinematography is good and inspiring. The dialogues and lyrics are hard hitting with messages and oodles of entertainment, mostly double entendre.
The plot is layered and complex, but not without flaws. The barbs on the political system and society are contemporary and may lose their context in years to come, very reminiscent of Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) plays.
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola may not have a universal appeal, but it is thoroughly entertaining.