Bakery, Bullets, and Baby: Film Review – A Sweet and Sour Dish Served in Varun Dhawan’s Double Role Drama

🌟🌟🌟 ½
“When life gives you a dual-life action-drama, squeeze out the pulp and make a cocktail of masala entertainment!”

Hello, Bollywood buffs! Review Rani here, ready to dissect yet another Bollywood dish, served with the usual garnishing of over-the-top action, melodrama, and a dash of romance. This time we’re digging into a Varun Dhawan starrer, where he plays a bakery owner who bakes more than just cakes and pastries. Meet John D’Silva, a man of many layers (pun absolutely intended).

John D’Silva, our macho man, is your everyday single dad who runs a bakery and dotes on his little marshmallow, Khushi (Zara Zyanna). But, plot twist! (Or should I say, bread twist?) He’s actually a former cop, DCP Satya Verma, who’s hiding behind the apron to protect his daughter from a very bad man, Nana (Jackie Shroff).

The movie starts off quite sweetly, just like the pastries in John’s bakery, showing the adorable bond between him and Khushi. Then enters Tara (Wamiqa Gabbi), Khushi’s teacher, who unknowingly peels back John’s secret icing of a past life.

The narrative switches to a spice-infused flashback of John’s former life as a supercop, which feels like chewing on a stale donut. The writers, Atlee, Sumit Arora, and Kalees, have simply reheated the old and moldy recipe of a hero fighting against crime to protect the innocent. Yawn!

The movie’s pace picks up when Nana’s son kidnaps a girl and Satya comes out of his baking shell to whip up some justice. But alas, the mix of John’s past and present struggles is as cohesive as oil and water, affecting the overall taste of the movie.

However, the film does serve up a few entertaining bites. There’s a side of self-referential humor, with Satya questioning a goon about the fastest animal, the answer to which is a wink at Varun’s previous horror-comedy flick. The action sequences are like the cherry on top, with flashy pyrotechnics and sleek camera angles, courtesy of Kiran Koushik’s cinematography.

Varun Dhawan does a commendable job, juggling his roles as a loving father and a fearless cop. Wamiqa Gabbi lights up the screen, though her character as an undercover cop remains as undercooked as a doughy bread loaf. And let’s not forget the delightful surprise package, Rajpal Yadav, who as constable Sevakram delivers more than just comic relief. Jackie Shroff, as the villainous Nana, makes a menacing impact, much like a spicy jalapeno in a sweet cupcake.

Rani’s Wrap-Up: The movie, like a mixed platter, offers a bit of everything but could have packed a stronger punch in terms of content and narrative. Still, for those with an appetite for a masala Bollywood entertainer, it might just hit the spot. 😋

And remember folks, when life gives you a stale film plot, make it into a hilarious review! 😉 Until next time, this is Review Rani bidding adieu!