Hamre Billu Bhayankar

Movie Review of Red Chillies Entertainment's 'Billu'

'Hamre Billu Bhayankar' is what Rajpal Yadav, a poet in Irfan Khan's village writes for him. This is after the village gets to know that Billu is friends with superstar Sahir Khan.

'Billu' (It used to be 'Billu Barber' until two weeks ago.) created a good pre-release hawa thanks to the presence of SRK and Irfan Khan's reputation as an actor. I went to the theater and asked for a ticket for 'Billu barber'. The ticket I got read 'Billu'. I wanted to ask the multiplex wallah, "e burbak, aadha hi ticket diye ho kaa? Ya hum interbal tak hi picture dekhein kaa?"

The movie is entertaining on the whole. Billu's sad life in the beginning and how things take a turn has been handled in a funny way. Rasika Joshi, as the school principal is amazing. Atul Parchure, as the guesthouse manager, brings the house down. Lara Dutta looks like a beautiful village ki aurat - that's precisely what she is reduced to. Om Puri is good too. Shahrukh Khan and Irfan Khan both stand out as powerful characters.

When Billu claims to be Sahir Khan's friend, you wonder if he's bluffing to get attention. By the end of the movie you are almost sure of it.

The climax reminds one of the 'Krishna-Sudama' story. But why would a superstar, at the annual function of a village school, tell a story of his best friend and how he lost him and break down? This looks slightly filmy.

Nevertheless, the film is nice and a good one-time watch!

Fashion - Movie Review

Madhur Bhandarkar does it again! He comes back with HIS style of 'reality cinema' (how 'real' it is , is a debatable issue. Just like our reality shows.) that takes you on a emotional rollercoaster with a typical jolt at the end. The climax is the best of all Madhur Bhandarkar's movies - it hits you hard!

Priyanka Chopra does a good job. Samir Soni, in my opinion, stands out with a brave and an effective performance!

What I did notice was the fact that Madhur Bhandarkar has become a 'formula' director now. If K Jo spins the same old NRI tales and Sanjay Bhansali tells me stories of badi hawelis and rich families, Madhur Bhandarkar seems to be using the formula he has found.

Nevertheless, he is good at it. The movie is awesome! Priyanka Chopra and Samir Soni are the show-stealers! 

Why I love Mughal-e-azam..

The other day, somebody asked me why I wanted to watch 'Mughal-e-azam' three times back-to-back and why I had mentioned it in the 'things to do before I die' list. Here are my reasons:

1. Madhubala: Frankly, I have not seen any other movie of hers. But, this movie is sufficient to make her my favourite actress of yesteryears. She looks like a dream - and dances better. 'Mohe panghat pe' is her best song in the film. (..yes, I love it more than the more-famous 'Pyaar kiya to darna kya') The way she hugs Salim when Akbar finds out about their love, she is mindblowing!!

2. "SHEKHU...": Prithviraj Kapoor fits Akbar's role to the tee. The way he goes "Shekhu..." in his baritone - it's funny, amusing and entertaining.

3. The scene when Salim comes back: If you've seen the film carefully, you would surely remember Jodhabai's expressions when Salim comes back (Dilip Kumar's entry in the film). I love the melodrama on her face! "Uff.. kya yeh duniya ghoom rahi hai, yaa meri aankhein hi ruk nahi rahi.."

4. Pyaar kiya to darna kya: My favourite Lata Mangeshkar song. The way it has been picturised is nothing short of pathbreaking for the age the film was made in.

5. Bahaar and her wicked plans: Bahaar is the typical vamp - she is the mother of all the Komolikas of today. This Muslim actress has conveyed Bahaar's aspirations beautifully through her eyes. Especially in the scene where she is wearing the Queen's crown and standing in front of the mirror.

6. The Sindoor scene: The scene when Akbar wants Jodhabai to hand over the royal sword to him is truly a Bollywood scene. It has Maa ki mamta, Patni ka dharm aur Raja ka kartawya put together!! How Bollywood is that !!


The list goes on.. I love Mughal-e-azam!