Harshvardhan Kapoor’s Bhavesh Joshi Superhero movie review: raw appeal saves this flawed and uneven action drama

Here's our review of Harshvardhan Kapoor-starrer vigilante film

A city engulfed by corruption, a masked hero wanting to bring reform and save his city from crumbling under the weight of greedy politicians and police officers. Bhavesh Joshi is the story of a bunch of friends – Sikander (Harshvardhan Kapoor), Bhavesh (Priyanshu Painyuli) and Rajat (Ashish Varma) who form a masked vigilante group aimed at eradicating corruption and meting out justice to the common man.

What’s it about

Sikander, Bhavesh and Rajat call themselves – Insaaf, but it doesn’t take too long for things to take a dark and twisted turn. After a local politician (Nishikant Kamat) who is involved in water trafficking and smuggling uncovers the identity of Insaaf, Bhavesh who is heading this operation meets an unfortunate fate. From here the plot shifts gears and Sikander decides to become the masked superhero who will help fulfil Bhavesh’s mission of exposing the water scam and revealing the depth to which corruption has seeped into the city.

What’s hot

Harshvardhan Kapoor seems at ease and more convincing in his role as the crime eroding superhero than his debut film Mirzya. He has a certain raw appeal that is unpolished and natural which works for his character. His transformation from being a bystander to actually taking matters into his own hands and becoming the masked vigilante is commendable. Bhavesh Joshi has the unmissable Vikramditya Motwane stamp on it. The cinematography and action scenes are major highlights – especially a long drawn bike chase scene that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Priyanshu Painyuli as Bhavesh is a revelation. He’s outstandingly good in the film and we hope to see him more often in the near future. The corruption track and a lot of dialogues in the film have a certain quality of being relatable.

What’s not

Bhavesh Joshi is way too long and the climax seems to drag on forever. Also some of the scenes in the film feel unnecessary and forced. When Sikander confronts a police officer for delaying his passport verification, the premise doesn’t seem convincing. The second half drags and brings down the otherwise decent momentum of the film. The subject of the film promised a superhero but by the time he makes his appearance we are already weary and tired. Also after establishing that he has left the country, it is difficult to believe that Sikander can walk around the city without having the fear of being discovered. There are several such loopholes in the film.

Our verdict

Bhavesh Joshi has moments and scenes that will resonate with a lot of socio-political issues in the country right now. Watch it if you have the palette for something different than the usual.

Rating:3 out of 5