Let me begin on a not so appreciative note of thanking the pirate lords of the country due to which I am able to get my weekly dose of Hindi cinema, not being in India. Moving on to more relevant things, Billu (with or without Barber) was one movie which I considered time pass fare. That was, of course, before I watched the movie which struck a chord and motivated me to write this review. Another reason why you shouldn’t go in to watch a movie with pre-conceived notions!
Plot:
Well, not much to say about the plot. Its a remake of a remake of a remake but still manages to hold its own. Inspired by the contrasting real life friendship of Lord Krishna and Sudama, before I start giving sermons on Bhagvad Gita, lets just say that the plot contrives on how two childhood friends grow up to live in two contrasting environments and how SRK’s star life intersects with Irrfan’s common man life and the incidents that follow. Everyone wants their share of the star and how Billu becomes a via media to get to him, and to achieve the ’meeting’ the villagers listen to every whim and fancy of Billu as long as he is ready to get them to meet the star. Billu though is a man of principles and does not like favours. He thinks that his old friend would have forgotten all about him and their times together and is reluctant to meet him. How is reluctance spells doom for him and in the end how he redeems himself is what the story is about.
Themes:
From the moment Billu is first introduced in his letter to the government official in which he nonchalantly comments that it had come to his notice that to get work done bribe was necessary, so he politely asks whether or not the official would take bribe or not because in either case he had no money to offer him. Billu brings a smirk to your face. He connects with you on a personal level. In the opening moments itself Priyadarshan is able to transpose you to the beautiful village of budbudda. The movie itself is almost a sattirical comedy with various digs taken at politicians, film stars but most of all the Indian public. Yes, not most of you may realise that but for a change it is you who is at the receiving end and the director, surely but subtely puts his message across. The main message that Billu tries to convey is that the Indian public or the Indian people ride on emotions. Rather than taking rational decisions, the thought process is influenced by the heart. Now before you guys start raving, I’ll consolidate my stand with several examples. Billu is hailed by the village when they come to hear of his frienship with star Sahir (SRK). No one even doubts or questions the authenticity of their friendship. Later on, when Billu is notable to fulfill his promise of getting people to meet the star and the police waala raises some doubts over the friendship, there is a complete shift in cycle. Hail Billu thoughts give way to seething anger and rage. Why take only the film? Look at the Indian cricket team. Whenever it goes through a golden period the verdict is that there can be no better team but whenever it goes through a bad patch we are waiting to pounce like hungry bloodhounds. Same goes for the politicians, the government policies. You can be the favourite one moment basking in glory and facing the steam the next moment. The Indian public serves the true test of an individual.
Cast:
Lara Dutta, oh dear! Such a miscast. Surely she couldn’t be thinking of going de-glam with lip gloss on. Irrfan though looks like he is back in his groove. This deadpan style of acting is his forte and he carries it of with consummate ease. Watch out for his witty one - liners and particularly the scene where he calls up to speak withSahir but is shouted and cursed upon by the star’s secretary but the audience outside the phone booth believe that he is having an intimate conversation. SRK is in his own as a superstar and credit should go towards him and the director that no effort was made to deliberately shift the focus from Irrfan to him. SRK looks comfortable sharing screen space with Irrfan. He too has his moments. One where he counters irritating questions about the common misconception about actors, the "Khan" war and personal space is particularly eye catching. Then of course the climax speech is heartwarming. The surprise package though are the kids! They seem comfortable in front of the camera and have amazing screen presence in whatever little time they share. Om Puri and Rajpal Yadav are there to provide comic timing. Asrani is wasted.
Others:
For once, the editing is a little acceptable. The music of the film is peppy though some of them are misplaced. Each will have their favourites be it Mar jaani, Love mera hit hit, Rocking and reeling or Khuda ae Kher. But for me Billu bhayankar takes the cake! Gulzar’s poetry is amazing and the similies and metaphors with which he compares the character of Billu to the epitome of the villagers fathomed minds is amazing. Also this is one of the few movies in which proper hindi or English is used. No"Hinglish". The movie reaches its crescendo in the final moments with SRK’s speech where he describes his friendship with Billu and unconciously you’ll realise a trickle of a drop of tear run down your cheek and thats when you’ll realise that how deeplythis film has touched you. It may not be tackling the greatest issue, it may not be the most expensive film around and certainly not the most controversial but Billu should be seen for reasons which shall be everyone’s own. It makes you realise the value of true friendship and takes you back memory lane, to see a face which you hold dear to your heart and makes you realise how invaluable he/she is!
And finally, the verdict. Well, should you watch it or not is your decision entirely. I wont say that you have missed something in life if you haven’t seen this one, but when the end credits stop rolling, deep in your heart there is a voice which says "Thank god I chose to see this movie".
P.S. (I know that this is a heavily biased review, but somehow I couldn’t help it!)
Updated P.S. (The above comment was meant to be a sattire, before somebody else picks on it)