Baadshah

Only a complete curmudgeon could dislike this film. It's a brilliant slapstick parody of the spy/private eye genres with the Baadshah of Bollywood himself, Shahrukh Khan, hamming it up gloriously as a slightly dim-witted private detective who is innocently drawn into a conspiracy to assassinate the prime minister of India. The hilariously complex plot of mistaken identities and spy/counter spy is so twisted it took me several viewings to actually make it all out. (The fact that I was having to read subtitles didn't help) Surprisingly, the story holds together much better than it seemed to at first.

Bollywood is notorious for stealing from Hollywood, and Baadshah is no exception. (For all you other non-Hindi speakers, "Baadshah" means King, like the one in a deck of cards) The opening dance number, Main Te Hoon Pagal, is clearly inspired by the "Cuban Pete" song from "The Mask", and later on whole scenes are copied nearly frame for frame from a couple of Jackie Chan movies: Mr. Nice Guy and Rush Hour. The results are just great good fun.

The high point has to be the campy, outrageous "Baadshah, O Baadshah" nightclub number with Khan strutting his stuff amid a huge chorus of dancers in a whirl of silver lame and pyrotechnics. For a guy who claims to be a very bad dancer, he has an easy grace and agility that makes him a joy to watch.

Khan's performance in Baadshah is perfect. The comedy is fantastic, and there isn't a dull moment. The supporting cast, including Twinkle Khanna, Johnny Lever (if you can stand him), and the ever-essential villain, Amrish Puri, are wonderful. Like most Hindi films, there's a mish-mash of everything you can imagine: drama, slapstick comedy, teary-eyed pathos (gotta see the Khan cry at least once in every film), romance (gotta see the hero dance around trees at least once in every film) high-tech James Bond gadgets, hilariously bad special effects; Baadshah has it all!

Baadshah (Emperor) remains the cult classic Bollywood by Abbas-Mustan duo with SRK in the lead. Even if you watch it with the modern lens, 20+ years later, it will remain the same - Khan's quirky character, the zesty genre-banding plot, original comedy, and the good-old 90s vibe that just brings back the memories. TN.

"Baadshah" emerges as a true gem in the Bollywood comedy genre, delivering a stellar plot, top-notch acting, and an abundance of entertainment that makes it a standout film. While the question of inspiration from Hollywood lingers, the movie stands tall on its own merits, offering a delightful and original cinematic experience.

The plot of "Baadshah" unfolds with a captivating blend of humor, action, and suspense. It weaves a narrative that keeps audiences engaged from the opening scene to the closing credits. The unpredictable twists and turns contribute to the film's uniqueness, making it more than just a run-of-the-mill comedy and elevating it to the status of a thorough entertainer.

The acting in "Baadshah" is truly top-notch. The cast delivers performances that are not only charismatic but also skillfully executed. The lead actor's comedic timing, coupled with a strong supporting cast, ensures that the humor lands effectively. The chemistry between the characters adds an extra layer of charm, making the film a joy to watch.

What sets "Baadshah" apart is its ability to seamlessly integrate comedy into the narrative. The humor isn't just a side element but an integral part of the storytelling, contributing to the overall entertainment quotient. The film's lighthearted moments, clever dialogues, and well-executed comedic sequences make it a standout in the comedy genre.

Deserving of a rating beyond 7, "Baadshah" earns its place as a must-watch for fans of Bollywood comedy. It successfully combines a great plot with top-tier acting, creating a cinematic experience that lingers long after the credits roll. For those in search of laughter, entertainment, and a thoroughly enjoyable ride, "Baadshah" is a cinematic treat that deserves the applause it receives.

This was the first movie which makes me fall in love with Shahrukh Khan in my childhood. I was not a huge fan of romantic movies at that time and never seen Shahrukh.. this was the first instance where I found him genuinely an entertaining, not only because of him but the plot and screenplay of this movie was fantastic and I still enjoy watching this movie on tv even in 2022..

I loved watching this film. Let's face it, we've all (Nepali and Indian) watched this film before and it still is as fun as it was back in the day.

Loved Baadshah when I was a kid and loved Baadshah now. The goofy detective, SRK as the title character is just so, so good. It's funny, entertaining and investing throughout. And the songs are so damn amazing. Abhijeet in all of the songs was phenomenal. Specially, Woh Ladki Jo, it's a standout songs among other equally great songs.

And Twinkle Khanna, she's so beautiful and so charming. I'd never saw her as a Bollywood sensation but from today onwards, I'll always see her as a diva. Such a beautiful actress and her work is as beautiful as she is. She's fantastic, she has owned every scene which she is in.

The film is so funny, it's a slapstick comedy which works in every aspects. There's comedy, there's crime and there is romance. The chemistry between SRK and Twinkle Khanna is amazing. Also the supporting characters, Johnny Lever, Amrish Puri, and others were great.

It's an out and out entertaining film which is just so damn fun with it's crime comedy elements.

A brilliant rewatch.