Here Is Why Abhishek Bachchan's Bluffmaster Remains To Be One Of The Most Criminally Underrated Films Ever

The year 2018 was truly an incredible year for Bollywood and that is not because of the heavyweight hits like Padmaavar or Sanju. What really warmed our hearts were film like Badhaai Ho, Andhadhun, Stree or Raazi getting their due credit, both in terms of appreciation and box-office numbers.

To be perfectly honest, a decade or even five years back these brilliant films would have had a hard time in Bollywood given their niche content and the history of Bollywood is dotted with many such films. One of them is the Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra starrer Bluffmaster that came out in 2005. The film over the years have garnered appreciation among cinema lovers who embrace 'different' content, but it still remains to be one of the most criminally underrated films ever. Here is why we think so.

Super Suave and Stylish Filmmaking

One of the reasons why Bluffmaster seemed so ahead of its is because of Rohan Sippy's super stylish filmmaking. Not only was the content super fresh but the making and direction of the film gave it a texture that was unseen in 2005. Back then, things still bordered on extreme swag or extreme cliche. In the middle of these swagger and cliches, Bluffmaster's subtle and modern charms were completely lost on people. 

Amazing Performance By The Entire Star Cast

Bluffmaster can be regarded as one of Abhishek Bachchan's career best performance. As the sleek and suave con-artist Roy, Abhishek played the somewhat modern day version of Jimmy Valentine like a dream. But it was far from his one-man show. He was ably supported by a talented star cast that included names like Ritiesh Deshmukh and Boman Irani whose comic sense made the film a treat to watch and Priyanka as Simi added just the right amount of romance to the story. But the one who truly stole the show was Nana Patekar as Chandru. As the sleazy, narcissitic and delightfully eccentric bait of this con-comedy, Nana Patekar reminded us why he is one of the finest in the industry when it comes to quirky roles. The scene where he looks into the mirror and performs an aarti for himself could only be pulled off by him. 

A Killer Album

Just like the modern sensibilities and treatment of the film, the sound of the film was also extremely urban and fresh. From the club-friendly 'Bure Bure' to the remix of 'Do Aur Do Paanch, from cool rap by Abhishek in 'Come to Me' to a dance number like 'Say Na Say Na', the music album of Bluffmaster was truly unique and unimaginably fun. 

Amazing Balance 

While most films struggle to stay true to one genre, Bluffmaster was balancing a narrative that was an eccentric comedy, a con-drama and an urban romance in equal parts. But not once in the movie, Sippy lost sight of what he was doing and instead of a terrible chaos, the film turned out to be a fine-tuned harmony of all the elements that was a treat to behold. 

Excellent Portrayal Of Mumbai

Ten minutes into the movie and you can tell that the film has been helmed by a dyed in the wool Mumbaikar. Sippy brings out the character of the city by unfolding the characters of the film, without once falling for the usual cliches. The Gateway of India, the alleyways, the underbelly of the city and the infamous Mumbai rain all make an appearance, but in the most stylish way possible. The climax of the film especially feels like a tribute to the fun-loving spirit of the city and translated the feel of it in the most authentic way.

It Is Film Made By A True-Blue Bollywood Fan For True Blue Bollywood Fans

For people who have actually watched the film, it is no secret that 'films' itself play a character in the film. The narrative is strewn with so much Bollywood throwback that it truly feels like a tribute. Firstly, the title itself is taken from the 1963 Shammi Kapoor film of the same name. Throughout the film the remixed version of  'Do Aur Do Paanch' from 1980 Amitabh Bachchan-Shashi Kapoor starrer of the same name plays in the background. There is also a scene where Sholay plays in Minerva theater, which was a subtle tribute to his father Ramesh Sippy and the ultimate legend in Bollywood. It was a film made by a true-blue Bollywood fan for true-blue Bollywood fans in so many ways.