Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Historical family Bollywood action drama has some violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
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Bharat
What's the Story?
In BHARAT, the history of India is traced alongside one man and his family. Framed by his 70th birthday celebrations, Bharat (Salman Khan) recounts his past to his family, from the day he and his mother are separated from his father and sister during the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. Making a promise to his father to take care of the family until his return, Bharat works hard at whatever jobs pay the bills -- from a circus to an oil rig. Along the way he helps his best friend Vilayti (Sunil Grover) and falls in love with Kumud, aka "Madam-Sir" (Katrina Kaif). As he reflects on his life, and the resilience of his family and his country, Bharat must put to rest the past and learn to live in the now.
Is It Any Good?
Beautifully combining the shared history of a country with the individual experience, this is a poignant drama about adapting to change and honoring duty. An adaptation of the 2014 Korean film Ode to My Father, the acting is strong across the board. But this is particularly the case for Kabir Sajid as young Bharat, and Khan as the older central character who moves seamlessly between high drama and lighthearted humor. The sets are ambitious, from underground caves and stormy seas, to the bustling streets of Delhi. Scenes at the circus are dazzling, unfolding to reveal vibrant colors, bright lights, and fabulous attention to detail -- the perfect setting for one of many well-choreographed musical numbers.
While the overall arc of Bharat is strong, it lags slightly in the middle, where some more rigorous editing could have helped to keep up the pace. It's also worth noting the epic 154 minute runtime. But this is a well-told story that is at times exciting, terrifying, and heartwarming. Teens and adults able to withstand the running time and subtitles will be rewarded with an enjoyable drama filled with energetic action.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Bharat. How did it make you feel? Did it add to the story? Do some types of media violence have different impact than others?
Discuss the character of Bharat. What are his motives and main driving force? What positive character traits did he show? Why are these important?
What did you learn about Indian history from the movie? What would you like to know more about?
There were many different settings in the movie. Which did you find the most exciting and why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 5, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : August 3, 2019
- Cast : Salman Khan , Katrina Kaif , Sunil Grover
- Director : Ali Abbas Zafar
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Amazon Prime
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , History
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Integrity , Perseverance , Self-control
- Run time : 154 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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