Yashraj films and Shaad Ali....I was expecting a lot from this combo . The combo earlier delivered Saathiya which managed to leave a mark in my heart . But sadly Bunty Aur Babli turns out to be a huge disapointment despite a spirited performance by Rani Mukherji.
The film was well promoted with the trailors promising a packed comic ride of sorts and with hit tag on its side I was waiting for its DVD.But watching it was a nightmarish experience!
In terms of a story the film has been inspired by many Hollywood films including catch me if you can. Whilst the story sounds gripping on paper the end result is a huge letdown due to a inane and out-of-control screenplay.
The first half is well written, but the second half tests the viewers patience totally and what could’ve been a gripping tale of laughter turns into something insanely stupid.
The film revolves around two dreamers Rakesh(Abhishek) and Vimmi(Rani). Both are sick of their boring village lives and dream of something more...something bigger. Rakesh wants to be a rich man, someone famous and someone who is remembered by all. Vimmi too has similar aspiriations as she wants to me a model...Miss India...a film actress.
The two run away from home and by chance meet each other.Despite several attempts at fulfilling their dreams honestly the two by chance realise they have a skill together.....a skill of connery, deceit and robbery and together Rakesh and Vimmi become Bunty aur Babli as they sweep the nation and con millionaires, investors, ministers, hoteliers and anyone who else has money. They become world famous in India and finally their dreams of fame, success and money start coming true.....
Into the picture comes Dashrath Singh(Amitabh Bachchan)-A police officer who hates crime....he is given the case of bringing in Bunty Aur Babli. What ensues next is an insipid journey with viewer scratching their heads!
The first half of the movie moves at a breakneck pace and has the viewer completely absorbed. Introduction of Rani and Abhishek and their initial encounters are well executed . Ali successfully combines the two genres[romance, comedy] for the first hour with the laughs and the thrills coming in equally doses.
Its the second half where Ali is a complete letdown as a filmmaker. The film loses all sense of direction and totally meanders off track leaving the viewer bored. The comic scenes in the second half seem forced and plain stupid. Shaad Ali clearly has some rethinking to do as he has lost touch with this disaster.
The pre-climax sequence in train is absolutely pointless and even the ’’twist’’ before the climax is poorly executed and has no impact on the viewer.
Bollywood ’’masala’’films expect the viewer to suspend disbelief but Bunty Aur Babli takes the viewers intelligence for granted time and again .
Jaideep Sahnis screenplay is baseless. The film is meant to be a ’’mindless’’ entertainer and flaws are forgiveable but some flaws are so gaping that it makes the viewer question slightly just how dumb Sahni thinks the audience is. Take for example--Bunty Aur Babli conduct a heaps of robberies all across India, the people they con know what they look like as well for the most-so why don’t the police attempt to get some form of a sketch on them?
In terms of performances the film is a mixed bag.
Rani Mukherji is one and only pros of this sick movie.Her performance is VERY cute and her character is one that the audience will fall in love with. Her comic timing is simply fantastic and as always she scores in the emotional scene.This further cements the fact that Rani Mukerjee is no doubt Indias current Numero Uno .
Abhishek Bachhan disappoints in comic role thanks to ill-defined character.Amitabh Bachchan on the other hand gives a lacklustre performance.
Music by S-L-E too is average. The film lacks a chart busting number. The title track is the best of the lot and has a foot tapping feel. One wishes the picturisation was better .Technically the film is just about passable!
All up Bunty Aur Babli comes across as a huge letdown.No doubt Rani is fantastic....but the rest of the team fails to do justice to her talent. Stay far , far , far away!