Billu & Badshah ...
Yesterday, after a long time I went see the most awaited film of the Year, Billu.After reading many reviews of the movie, I decided to see this movie for three reasons.First reason was The King Khan, No second thought, Secondly for Another Khan, Irfan Khan & Finally for the brilliant Director Priyadarshan.
Billu is Priyadarshan’s 75th film as director.He is expecting to strike diamond with this movie.The film is a tale of two friends, a modern adaptation of the platonic relationship shared by Krishna and Sudama.Based on Malayalam super hit Katha Parayumbol starring Mammootty, Full marks to Priyadarshan for adapting it well to a present day North Indian village setting.
The movie revolves around the life of Billu Barber, his wife (Lara Dutta) and their two kids. Billu a down to earth village barber, experiencing a slow down in his business, primarily because he fails to adapt to the changing fashion trends.A man of principles, he is not willing to give up his values come what may even if it means his children are thrown out of the school or his earnings taking a beating. While his wife (Lara) understands him and stands by him during his tough times, his children forever make fun of him.
It is during this time that a film unit comes to his village, with superstar Sahir Khan (Shahrukh Khan)as the hero. Billu tells everyone in the village that Sahir is his old friend. Instantly, the villagers take a keen liking to Billu.All the villagers want to meet the Sahir Khan and believe Billu to be the perfect person, who can help arrange a rendezvous with him. Now, Billu tries to meet the actor, but is unsuccessful in the attempt. This makes everyone suspicious about his claim. Not only the villagers, but even his family members believe that he was lying about his friendship with Sahir. Talking about the performances,
Billu is more of an Irfan Khan film than a King Khan one. He is simply superb and natural to the core. The film defnitely belongs to Irrfan Khan. As Billu he is a portrait of restrained self mockery and dignity in the face of bizarre demands on him by star-struck villagers. And that includes his wife and children.Irfan Khan the actor and the character being perfectly in sync with each other.He has Done a Great job, I m sure that Nobody could play that role better than Irfan Khan.Delight to watch.
Shah Rukh lends the glamour quotient with his filmy style.SRK promote himself in this movie and looks natural.Shah Rukh Khan extends his real-life iconic status to a role that requires double his usual acting skills because it’s autobiographical. He rocks, He is good as always but proves with the climax scene why he deserves to be called a superstar. Shah Rukh Khan’s final twenty minutes speech / Message are the icing on the cake that will touch everyone’s heart.
Lara Datta does a fine act as Billu’s better Half.Despite having a glam doll image has perfectly suited the part of a village woman with two kids.
Apart from them, the film is full of Priyadarshan film regulars , Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, Manoj Joshi and Rasika Joshi and they don’t disappoint either. Om Puri as the greedy money lender is fun to watch. Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone add glam quotient by featuring in three item songs of sorts.
The highpoint of the film are its performances.Most importantly, the characters are completely real. Priyadarshan has handled his huge lot of characters very well and brought out humour from the most unexpected situations.He has packed in the emotions extremely well.Where he falters is the pacing. A better editing was desperately needed.The story was stretched out over too long.The lyrics written by Gulzar is good but not great. Pritam’s music is average.V Manikanandan has done great cinematography. Sabu Cyril’s art direction a treat to the eyes,
It is not a film that force you to leave your brain outside the theatre ... Get in with your brain and your heart…
Overall its Not an extra-ordinary movie, But good enough to watch once.