Bharat movie review and rating: Critics' verdict on Salman Khan's film

Salman Khan starrer Bharat has been released on the big festival of Eid. The movie has huge hype around it, and critics have finally come up with their reviews.

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Bharat is based on the Korean film Ode To My Father. Apart from Salman, the film features Katrina Kaif, Disha Patni, Sunil Grover, Jackie Shroff among others.

Bharat is set on the backdrop of India-Pakistan partition, and showcases the journey of a common man along with the changes happening in the country. It presents Salman in five different avatars, portraying his story from childhood to old age.

Disha plays his love interest in his initial life, while Katrina becomes his lady love in the later part. Jackie is seen as his father, and Sunil his childhood friend. Bharat involves moments of light humour, emotion, romance, action and a lot of drama.

The movie is blessed with decent music, and apparently has all the elements to impress the audience. However, some of the critics are not impressed by the film. A lot of expectations are associated with the film as it brings back the hit pairing of Salman as actor and Ali as director.

Bharat has received mixed response from the critics. So without further delay, let's check out what critics have been saying about Bharat. 

Taran Adarsh: "#OneWordReview... #Bharat: SMASH-HIT. An emotional journey that wins you over... Salman is the lifeline. He's exceptional... Katrina excels... Ali Abbas Zafar blends humour + emotions wonderfully... Slight trimming needed... Get ready for #Salmania."

Rating: 4 Stars

The Times Of India: "While emotional manipulation happens in every film, the fact that it's evident here makes it a tad overbearing. The reverence is blatant. A little subtlety and crisp editing would have done wonders.

Bharat is well-intentioned, entertaining and doesn't succumb to the trappings of commercial potboilers. The fact that it tries a bit too hard to prove that, is its problem.

Our overall critic's rating is not an average of the sub scores below."

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Hindustan Times: A lot like Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Salman emerges as an advocate for peace between India and Pakistan. A long drawn out sequence underlines how both the countries lost their own identities during the Partition, and how wounds are far from healed may feel manipulative, but it works – I witnessed more than one person wiping away a tear. That is where Bharat and Zafar score. Despite knowing what the film is trying to do, in some cases easily guessing plot turns in advance, you cannot help but enjoy it. This one is an Eid winner. Bhai just got his mojo back.

Rating: 3 stars

Firstpost: The best of Bharat comes right in the beginning and then almost towards the end. The initial portrayal of the Partition and later efforts to reunite families separated at the time may seem emotionally over-wrought to some, but I confess I was reduced to tears in both portions. Unfortunately, what comes in between, though largely inoffensive is only sporadically rewarding. Far from being a Forrest Gump with Salman Khan, Bharat is mostly a plodding trek through post-1947-to-present-day India.

Rating: 2 stars

The Indian Express: Yes, it's hard to believe that a 70-year-old can beat off four menacing young men bent upon making mincemeat of him. But then this IS a Bhai movie. He staggers, but is the last man standing. But of course. He may have fixed a grey beard to his chin, but his chest still ripples. What else? In a Salman Khan movie, anything is possible, even tall tales that can transcend borders.

Rating: 2 stars

Bollywood Hungama: "On the whole, BHARAT is a super-entertainer with emotions as its strong USP and Salman Khan like never before. The superb combination of Salman Khan, emotions and the release period [Eid] will ensure fireworks at the ticket windows. At the box office, it will fetch bumper profits for all concerned."

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Koimoi: "Bharat is no Sultan or Tiger Zinda Hai – it's the weakest film of Ali Abbas Zafar. The pace is the culprit along with the length. In order to keep something for everyone, Ali also keeps nothing for someone."

Rating: 2.5 Stars