Movie Review - Band Baaja Baaraat * Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh

Beginning of 2010 saw Yash Raj films branching out onto the small screen with couple of television series aiming for wholesome family entertainment. One of the ventures, Rishta.com was about two college friends played by Shruti Seth & Kavi Shastri, who come together to start a matrimonial agency. As two individuals with contrasting personalities, the serial attempted to highlight the chronicles, nuances of new-age relationships and the concept of the age-old matchmaking/arranged marriages in a humorous albeit honest way. The series worked favorably, captured prime-time slots on Sony channel and Isha, Rohan became household names, youth icons. When the series reached its finale, disappointed fans drew out petitions to continue the show & if reports are to be believed plans for season 2 are in place.

However, in the interim, creative’s at YRF worked on the same context, took it to the big screen and presented ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’. So does the big screen output impress me just as much?

For Delhi kudi Shruti Kakkar (Anushka Sharma) starting her own shaadi organizing business was the ultimate dream. Luckily for her, she doesn’t have any dukhyari maa, bhai etc who would think otherwise and want her to do something else. On the contrary she has a very supportive family who standby their independent, strong headed daughter. On the other hand is Bittoo (Ranveer) with no ambitions or aims, pesters Shruti to include him in her business only so he can escape going back to his father’s sugarcane farm. Thus begins ‘Shaadi Mubarak’ and a journey through relationships, celebrations, ‘fraandships’ & more.

Its director/writer Maneesh Sharma’s show all the way. He holds the realms of the movie expertly, deftly detailing, guiding and ensuring the movie stays true to its premise. Smoothness of transitions in leads’ camaraderie, backdrop of REAL Delhi balanced fittingly with wedding lavishness, appealing cinematography, perfectly formed characters, are all the USP’s of Maneesh’s venture. It helps hugely that dialogues and screenplay by Habib Faisal are completely in-sync, street-smart, genuine and entertaining all rolled up perfectly. Within the first few minutes I was sucked into their world, felt awful when they struggled, really wanted them to succeed, and grinned like a Cheshire cat when they did.

So thankfully (& I guess we owe this majorly to Maneesh) there are no arms wide open poses on swiss alps, chiffon saris in the wind, no fancy settings, no mercs, mansions or fake phoren accent NRI’s. This is the cleanest depiction of Indian culture by YRF in a very long time and despite its cheesy takes, predictability, it’s this desi-ness that makes the heart flutter and warm up to Shruti & Bittoo.

As Shruti, Anushka is as real as any character gets. She is vivacious, blunt, sweet, stunning, intense and kept me wrapped around her lil finger throughout the movie. Commanding her own in most scenes, there is a sizzle in her performance, which makes it hard to take eyes off her even for a second. As Bittoo, Ranveer gives a smashing debut which im sure is the envy of many aspirants. To be honest, I had nil expectations from him. He appeared inept, presumptuous, and pompous from whatever little I had read or seen. I’m glad he proved me wrong. Almost to the contrary, he is confident, (without going overboard), excels and exudes a great chemistry with his co-star. The movie clearly boasts of one of the best characterizations I’ve seen in recent times and I’m going to be VERY disappointed if I don’t see a debut nomination for the lad.

With the baaraat taken care of, baaja is proficiently handled by Salim Suleiman. Not too many chartbusters to boast off, music attuned to the shaadi setting; however I didn’t pay too much attention to the songs except for Ainvayi which is an unarguable favorite, choreographed fabulously.

So cutting to the chase, I loved the film, yes there are faults in it, but they can be easily overlooked. This one proudly replaces my only much loved bollywood wedding flick, Mira Nair’s ‘Monsoon Wedding’. Moreso, for all the pretentious-romcoms-tire audiences, this is a refreshing take & should make it to your weekend plans. Recommended.