Bharat a tribute to Raj Kapoor, Manoj Kumar

Bharat was a name that the great actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumar adopted in the 70s and 80s for many of his films. And Salman’s Bharat makes patriotism a serious business; at least what the trailer suggests. As Salman takes us through a dizzying spin across generations of Independent India, director Ali Abbas Zafar unveils a wealth of energetic enticing images that suggest splashy colours and ‘Manoj Kumar’ emotions packaged in that unerring brand of ‘Salmanism’ that his fans expect.

Bharat looks like a one-man show all the way with fleeting glimpses of various other characters who seem to be interesting props. But the one who makes an impressive trailer-impact is Disha Patni. As a circus gymnast, she looks every bit as edifying as the Russian trapeze artist Kseniya Ryabinkina in Mera Naam Joker. The trailer of Bharat further suggests a new quasi-political avatar for Salman, along with being an endearing blend of Raj Kapoor and Manoj Kumar with lots of oomph, glamour and action to prop up the patriotic pitch. It shows a chaotic society constantly in search of relevance. But then there is always the singing, dancing romancing, bantering and dialogue-baazi. There is always Salman Khan. Interestingly, the trailer has a shot of Pandit Nehru’s death and an affectionate mention of his indelible impact on the Indian history.