Sometimes we desperately wait for things and when we get them we wonder if they were worth the wait? For a change this time they were. I desperately waited to watch Anurag Basu’s ’‘‘BARFI””’ since the theatrical was aired. Though I was baffled to see the visual treat. I presumed it to be another "Parallel Cinema" which will get critical acclaim and awards but not great audience response. I am glad Anurag Basu and team has proved me wrong :)
’‘BARFI”’ is not just a visual treat but has a potential to open all your senses and reach directly to your heart.
In the current trend of entertainment industry there is an audience for all kind of genre whether its romantic, experimental, remakes and clichés cinema. But Anurag takes the cake away by choosing to tell the soulful tale in the simplest possible way. The ’sobs’ heard in the theatre yet again reaffirms the fact that straight-from-the-heart stories are still the one which moves the Indian audience the most. (I am trying to recollect when was last I walked out of the theatre in silence)
The film is named "‘‘BARFI””", after one of the protagonist ’‘BARFI” (whose actual name is ’Murphy’) played by Ranbir Kapoor. I would prefer calling him one of the protagonist because other two characters ’Jhilmil’ and ’Shruti’ played by Priyanka Chopra and Ileana D’cruz respectively equally shares the credit of making the film a flawless fairy tale.
Performances:
Ranbir Kapoor needs a standing ovation for portraying deaf and mute yet full of life characters. He is the ’Star’ to watch for.
Priyanka Chopra who is playing an autistic character looks a little unsure of her performance in initials scenes but soon convinces you to see ’Jhilmil’ in her and leaves you teary eyed.
Ileana D’cruz who is introduced to Hindi film industry with ’‘BARFI”’ needs a round of applause to play a role of perfectly alright character in a film where the other two protagonist are playing characters with medical conditions. Usually an audience heart goes for those characters but Ileana has played her part so well against the two fine actors that your heart goes out for her.
Screenplay & Direction:
But the performer can’t do much if the story is not worth being performed. Anurag Basu yet again has proved that he doesn’t need out of the box story .. Huge problems, Complex characters to make audience glued to their seats. Simple life stories can do wonders if they come straight from the heart.
Ravi Varman, the cinematographer of the film has not shot but painted every frame of the film. It’s poetry in motion.
I can go on and on about the film and other technical aspects but I would rather let you see and feel the film. As I have always believed that every film has a purpose beyond entertainment and this one will leave you with many thoughts to ponder upon.
To sum up I am not sure if ‘BARFI” is about any one particular thing ... each one of you can take away different lessons back home. But for sure ‘‘BARFI” is about ’Love’ ... Love, which is selfish and selfless at the same point of time. Love which sometime you presume has happened but has not ... Love which you realise you were in, when you are done with it. For ’‘BARFI’ love was the ’fear’ that everyone will leave him someday and his constant attempt of testing who won’t leave. For "Jhilmil" love was security of holding a finger and assuming she is safe. For "Shruti" love was to let go the one who loved her once, after realising that his happiness lies with someone else.
Ironical ... At times LOVE is ’fear’ ... sometimes LOVE is ’Insecurity’ and many a times LOVE is ’Letting Go’ on cost of being alone all your life.