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 a fun filled roller coaster ride which will have the moments laughing, smiling, dancing, crying all in one with a fantastic nostalgic touch.
The story by Aditya Chopra is well written keeping in mind what the movie is trying to achieve. Chopra tends to keep things simple right from the intial establishment of the characters, the manner in which the robberies are conducted to the climax-what starts off well ends well and the Chopra manages to keep the viewer hooked through the duration of the movie.
Jaideep Sahnis screenplay is a letdown for the most. 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?
The direction in the movie is EXCELLENT. For those that weren't aware Shaad Alis motive was to recreate the Bachchan era that swept the nation in the 70s and 80s. The kind of "masala" films that viewers were bought up and entertained on for 2 decades ala AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY, KAALIA, DON, SHOLAY, LAAWARIS, PARVARISH which had audience flocking to cinema halls for years on end. Does he succeed? For the most-YES!
Right from the word go Ali makes it clear that the movie will be a fun filled ride and never takes himself too seriously. He maintains a steady pace and keeps the viewer engrossed. The scenes that stand out in the first half include:
* Abhisheks initial fight with his dad
* Ranis Introduction
* Abhishek and Ranis first con at the hotel bar with the guy from the Finance company
* Their Taj MahalScam
*Amitabh Bachchans fashionable entry.
Post interval the pace does slacken a little but just when the viewer thinks the movie is about to slow down the film picked up fatser than a bullet which doesn't slow down until the climax.
The scenes that stand out post interval include
* Abhishek/Amitabhs drinking scenes together-pure nostalgic cinematic magic which is surely there for Bachchan fans(for whom this film is aimed for). The sequence maybe slow.....but it is enacted with comic timing and its pleasing to watch the Bachchans onscreen together
* The song KAJRA RE that follows afterwards takes the film to a new graph.The energy and zest that is put into the film elevates the movie hugely. Right from the FANTASTIC dance steps to both Amitabh and Abhishek shaking a leg together which will had the "seeti taalis" in fulll ZOR!
* The airport action sequence.
The film is predictable for the most and one can tell what is going to happen in the next scene in most instances-but as this film is a homage to the "masala"entertainers of the 80's its Alis treatment which makes up for the predictability. Ali is confident of the his mettle and manages to bring back memories of yesteryears. The in-jokes are there throughout right from having old Amitabh songs playing in the background in apt situations to the to the campy action scenes to the customary drunk Bachchan scene. Not everyone will identify with what Ali is trying to achieve here-but those who do will appreciate the movie a lot more.Hats off to Mr Ali.
In terms of performances the movie is a winner!!
No doubt the film belongs to Abhishek Bachchan and BUNTY AUR BABLI is successful in transforming and presenting Abhishek Bachchan as a STAR. Viewers are already aware of his acting talent with YUVA. Right from the start Bachchan Jnr packs in a all round entertaining performance. No doubt comparisons will be made to Amitabh back in his days-but don't forget that some of the similar character traits that Abhishek shares here with his fathers old performances is an intentional move by the director. His comic timing is absolutely fantastic, delivery is spot on, dancing is foot tapping and natural and emotional scenes too are superb---in summary Yashraj is yet again successful in present Abhishek Bachchan as the next big STAR after DHOOM. No doubt Abhishek Bachchan is something BIG happening to Bollywood and its not going to stop there if his lineup is to believed-Abhishek Bachchan has finally arrived as a STAR as well....
Rani Mukerjee is superb in her role and delivers yet another superlative account of herself as BABLI. 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.
The chemistry shared between Abhishek and Rani is simply off the hook-the two even share a very natural kissing scene together!
Amitabh Bachchan-well..what can one say about Mr Bachchan. A stylised and crowd pleasing performance is what Mr Bachchan gives here.His character is VERY weak but Bachchan in the movie itself is the biggest injoke as the movie is a homage to classic Amitabh Bachchan films. He plays his character with panache and his screen presence, delivery and star power is as intact as ever. His dancing in KAJRA RE will have the viewer smiling and dancing together.SOME people may feel slightly disapointed that Amitabh has such a weak role-but please remember that this is a Abhishek Bachchan film.
The supporting cast in the movie plays their part well although they are not given much footage.
A special mention must be given to Prem Chopra, Ranjeet, Yunus Parves who were all Bachchan regulars at one time in the 70sand 80s. One sorely misses actors like Pran and Iftekar here.
Also Puneet Issar makes an appearence here-Bachchan and Issar go way back when a fight scene between the two went awry on the sets of COOLIE and Amitabh landed in hospital.
Raj Babbar, Rajesh Vivek, Kiran Joneja, Pratima Kazmi, and Rameshwari all play their parts aptly.
Ashwariya Rai impresses in her item number and her dance is fantastic.
Technically the movie is a polished product as expected from the Yashraj banner. Camerawork by Abhik Mukhopadhyay is eye catching and the mood and ambience of the entire film is perfectly captured on celluloid.
Musically Shankar Ehsaan Loy again emerge as winners-no doubt they are a trio of force. All the songs in the movie are easy on the ears and picturised with flair. Right from DHADAK DHADAK at the start to the title track, to CHUP CHUP KE. The Nach Baliye song is the only one that didn't impress me and didn't gel with the movie.The KAJRA RE song as mentioned earlier is simply OUTSTANDING and is a gem for cinegoers. Finally the rap number at the end is well picturised in the end credits.
All up where does that leave BUNTY AUR BABLI? A OUT AND OUT ENTERTAINERS WHICH WILL HAVE AUDIENCES FLOCKING TO THE CINEMAS-Those who are fans of Amitabh Bachchan films will be in for a nice surprise-but please remember the film is a homage to Amitabh Bachchans brand of "masala" cinema. Unlike say WAQT or BLACK the film is NOT an out and out Amitabh Bachchan film. Hats off to the team of BUNTY AUR BABLI for rekindling some old memories.....and making a few new ones.
Final Rating: * * * *
