It’s not easy to be an extraordinary actor. For you are symbolised by the character that you’ve enacted on screen. As a viewer, one carries out the huge burden of life’s little problems that Billu faces on a daily basis rather than lauding Irrfan Khan the world renowned actor. And that’s where Priyadarshan scores big time. He hasn’t compromised in anyway whatsoever to marginalise Billu (Irrfan) to give more weightage to superstar Sahir Khan (Shahrukh). Shahrukh Khan after Swades and Chak De should be proud of opting for a sensible project like Billu both as an actor as well as producer.
It’s a simple story based in Budbuda village. Billu barber is having difficulty making ends meet for there’s a city trained ’hair stylist’ Madan who like a pied piper has stolen the hearts of everyone. Wife Bindiya (Lara Dutta) and two kids are grappling with the day-to-day problems of an unpaid school fees and their goat not giving enough milk. Enter the film gang of Sahir and his huge team and the whole village posters the icon all over the place. Sahir and Billu are chuddie-buddies and this news percolates in the village grapewine. Within no time Billu-nobody became Billu Bhayankar and everyone wanted a piece of him. Unsolicited help came from all quarters all in the bargain of a one-to-one meeting with Sahir the star.
Self respecting Billu doesn’t want all the attention and requests anonymity but the villagers wouldn’t take no for an answer. Meanwhile away from all the tamasha, Sahir Khan shoots Hit-Hit numbers with gorgeous leading ladies. He also makes interesting observations about his security stating that after his last film became controversial he ended up having more men around him than women. There are also references to the Khans-at-war within the film industry and the kind of logistical problems that film stars face during an outdoor shoot.
Notably, most of the film has been shot in Pollachi village in Tamil Nadu. And must say, its a beautiful setting with gorgeously green mountains, huge open spaces and galloping clouds. Yes, one can complain that it doesn’t look like Uttar Pradesh where its supposed to be. Big deal. As long as it looks convincing why be critical about geographical demographics. Yes Priyadarshan favourites like Rajpal Yadav, Asrani and Om Puri are repeated again. But they fit the part well and play useful props in taking the story forward and also pepper with comic moments (especially Om Puri).
The film rightfully belongs to Irrfan Khan. And the dexterity with which he enacts the common ordinary man is outstanding. He is not afraid to make a complete fool of himself. Your heart goes out to him for even though you are laughing, somewhere Billu has other pressing problems that occupy his mind rather than retalliating to the vultures around. The scene in the PCO when he is being shouted upon by Sahir’s secretary and the crowd gathered outside thinks Billu is talking to the superstar has to be seen to be believed.
Shahrukh Khan as Sahir Khan is commercial to the core as he sings-n-dances in style. He brings a few gulps in your throat at the end of the film. To his credit, he never tries to upstage Irrfan. Yes, plastering the walls of Budbuda with the posters of all his films (even a disaster like Chaahat) was an exercise in vanity which could have been curtailed if not avoided. Lara Dutta as Bindiya is miscast. She looks earnest but even in her deglam avatar she looked too rich to be so poor. A Konkona Sen Sharma or Shefali Shah would have taken Bindiya’s character to another level. Their two kids Duggu (Pratik Dalvi) and Gunja (MItali Mayakar) were simply brilliant and the casting director deserves full marks over there. The two kids expressed simple rustic emotions beautifully.
V Manikanandan’s cinematography is delightfully restrained avoiding over-the-top camera angles except for the song-n-dance (which is required). Pritam’s music is hummable and worth shaking many a leg. Marjaani, Love Mera Hit Hit and You Get Me Rocking n Reeling are chartbusters already but its Khudaya Khair which charms me the most. Gulzar’s lyrics are very touching.
Billu is a film that Priyadarshan will be proud of once he decides to hang his boots. There’s no harm in making a remake as long as you’re able to tell a story that’s relatable. And Billu succeeds in it. Its a film about frienship which may sound incredulous but one would want to believe it especially when one feels the intensity. It doesn’t become mellodramatic and the tears of self identification flow unconditionally. Go watch it with friends and family today.
PS: I’d give it a 3 1/2 star