OTT Review: Bambai Meri Jaan

Cast : Avinash Tiwary, Kay Kay Menon, Nivedita Bhattacharya, Amyra Dastur, Kritika Kamra, Saurabh Sachdeva, Nawab Shah, Dinesh Prabhakar and others.
Director: Shujaat Saudagar
Producers: Ritesh Sidwani, Farhan Akhtar
Release : Sept 14, 2023
Streaming On: Amazon Prime Video

Numerous times, the life and times of notorious gangster Dawood Ibrahim were made into movies, movie scenes, web series and much more. Now, we have Amazon Prime Video coming up with the series titled “Bambai Meri Jaan” which is based on Hussain Zaidi’s book “Dongri To Dubai: Six Decades”. While the director Shujaat Saudagar maintained that the series is not based on Dawood, from character names to characters, screenplay to scene ideas, but in the end, here is the series like.

Synopsis:

In the backdrop of Bombay in 1964, we follow the journey of Ismail Khadri (Kay Kay Menon), an honest and dedicated police officer. Ismail takes charge of the Pathaan Squad, with the mission of dismantling the criminal empires of three notorious gangsters: Haji Maqbool, Azeem Pathan, and Anna Mudaliar. However, despite his unwavering integrity, Ismail’s efforts yield little, and he eventually finds himself compelled to collaborate with Haji.

As time unfolds, Ismail’s son, Dara Khadri (Avinash Tiwary), initially involved in minor criminal activities, takes a violent turn by confronting Haji’s gang members. Eventually, he becomes a full-fledged member of Haji’s gang and eventually establishes his own criminal syndicate. Dara is drawn into the brutal world of gang wars, rising to become the “Baadshah” of Bombay by 1986.

The narrative also explores the roles played by Dara’s father, his friends, his sister, and the complex police connections he forges. Additionally, the story delves into Dara’s dramatic escape from India to evade arrest, culminating in a gripping climax.

Performances:

In “Bambai Meri Jaan,” two outstanding performances stand out: Kay Kay Menon as Ismail Khadri and Avinash Tiwary as his son, Dara Khadri. These characters are direct references to Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar and his father. Kay Kay Menon’s portrayal is a masterclass in the first three episodes, displaying remarkable aggression, while in the later episodes, his delicate acting prowess shines through.

Avinash Tiwary, known for his role in the movie “Bulbbul,” delivers a superb performance as the up-and-coming gangster Dara. However, he doesn’t quite capture the same swag after ascending to the position of ‘don’ he aspired to be. Kritika Kamra, in the role of Dara’s sister, leaves a lasting impression with her performance, whereas the remaining cast members fail to make a significant impact. Amyra Dastur got nothing signifacnt as she plays Dara’s GF, but only a kissing scene which is also not so effective.

Technical Aspects:

The standout feature of the series undoubtedly lies in its production design, which impeccably captures the 1986 color palette, artwork, and overall ambiance. The creators have crafted a visually stunning world.

Director Shujaat Saudagar’s approach is akin to a delicate balancing act, as he endeavors to infuse a sense of freshness into a well-worn narrative that has been adapted numerous times before. While he attempts to inject more vitality into the storyline compared to directors like Mani Ratnam, Ram Gopal Varma, Anurag Kashyap, and Milan Luthria, who have previously helmed films such as “Nayagan,” “Satya,” “D-Company,” “Black Friday,” “Once Upon A Time In Mumbai,” and many others centered around Dawood and other Mumbai underworld figures, the director only partially succeeds in creating something truly iconic.

The music in the series is a mixed bag, with moments of brilliance but lacking the consistently riveting soundtrack needed for a series of this nature. While the cinematography and color grading are standout aspects, there is a noticeable absence of visual authenticity in certain areas.

Thumbs Up:
Kay Kay Menon & Avinash Tiwary
Production design

Thumbs Down:
Predictable scenes (as it is known story)
No fresh & unknown details
Slow pacing at times

Analysis:

In essence, “Bambai Meri Jaan” is a familiar tale that revolves around the lives of renowned Mumbai underworld figures like Dawood Ibrahim, Karim Lala, Haji Mastan, and Varadarajan Mudaliar, with their names slightly altered in this Amazon Prime Video series. It might have been more engaging if the creators had opted for the original names instead of these minor adjustments. However, the storyline and characters feel somewhat dated, as we’ve previously witnessed outstanding portrayals of figures like Haji and Dawood by actors like Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi in movies like “Once Upon A Time In Mumbai.”

While Kay Kay Menon and Avinash Tiwary attempt to inject a sense of freshness into their roles, the character designs still evoke a sense of déjà vu, which can diminish interest in the narrative. Crime dramas typically thrive on gripping storytelling, but this series often rehashes scenes and character dynamics we’ve encountered elsewhere over the past two decades. Nonetheless, the director adheres to a conventional storytelling style, which has its impressive moments. Instead of opting for over-the-top dialogue deliveries, the director maintains a simple and casual conversational tone, occasionally providing Kay Kay Menon with terrific one-liners.

While the series remains watchable to the end, it lacks the wow factor due to a story that has been told numerous times before. The narrative adheres to Hussain Zaidi’s book to some extent, liberties have been taken in depicting encounters and police connections. The book effectively delves into the art of mafia warfare, but in the series, these elements often feel rushed. The director’s primary focus seems to be on exploring how individuals are led astray and how circumstances shape their destinies, but this aspect isn’t effectively conveyed. Given that the entire narrative feels like something we’ve already witnessed, “Bambai Meri Jaan” may not fully satisfy the binge-watching appetite.

In summary, “Bambai Meri Jaan” offers a familiar story with new faces, but it lacks the novelty and excitement to make it truly stand out.

Bottom Line – Bye Bye Meri Jaan