Just came back from the film … and here’s my attempt at a review. Firstly, let me say that this was one strange experience for me. Prior to the film, I pretty much knew the entire storyline — actually forget ‘pretty much’ … I knew the storyline. I knew the beginning, I knew the middle and I knew the end. Hell, BR Films made sure I even knew the songs (thanks to the 3+ min videos of all the songs haha). I dont even know if I should give a spoiler warning haha. Ok Ok, its pretty much spoiler free. Please dont come back to me and say “OMG, Avinash DIES? Thanks for ruining it for me” — because if you do, I swear I’ll laugh back.
Anyway, I wanted to watch the film because of Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Hema Malini and John Abraham. The starcast was the sole reason for me to watch it. Plus, loving Baghban didn’t hurt.
So here goes the Baabul experience… I guess I’ll just break it down like usual.
The story: Need I repeat it? If you’ve seen a Baabul promo, you know the story. Simple as that.
The direction: Ravi Chopra did a fantastic job bringing out the emotions behind Avinash’s memories, and making sure his presence was felt in each of the other main characters but unfortunately he struggled with the main premise of the film and couldn’t express it effectively. Perhaps it was because he tried to build up too much and he was left with hardly any time (being a Salman fan, I’m not complaining mind you). What Ravi Chopra wanted to make was a 4hr film and what he ended up making was one with a brilliant first half, the right emotions leading to the death but a hurried jump to the more important subject: widow re-marriage. Full points for making me cry though haha.
Editing: Important, because something went wrong in the second half of the film. Esp. the transition between Amitabh’s meeting with Millie’s parents over to “har manzhar”. Woah, talk about a contrasting transition. Not very smooth at all. There were other not-so-smooth transitions as well.
Music SPOILERS INCLUDED: I really liked the songs from this film because they offered a mix bag of things. The picturizations were equally fantastic.
Come on Come on – Probably my favorite picturization along with Bawari Piya. The chemistry between Amitabh Bachchan and Salman is refreshing. Its great to see Salman shake a leg with BigB and BigB match his steps. Loved the jugalbandi in the song. Watching it was more fun than listening to it.
Keh Raha Hai – During the promos I wasn’t happy with the picturization. On the big screen, it was much much better just because of the small facial expressions of Rani and Salman. Very cute song.
Bawari Piya Ki 1 – Oh .. my .. guhhhhd!!! Unbelievably sexy, romantic and passionate without having a hint of vulgarity. You could sense the chemistry oozing out. Salman and Rani. Wow! They make the best married couple hands down.
Bawari Piya Ki 2 – Heartwrenching! I cried through this entire portion. Just watching her dance with the sweater… awwe!
Ga Re Mann – Gosh the anticipation. Ok, so we all knew that this is *the song*. I was sitting there going “gosh, no not now .. no not now” through the song haha because I knew what would happen at the end of it. Sigh! The song itself was cute.
Har Manzhar – This song was pretty unfair to John simply because of that strange transition from the previous scene. I was still crying when this song started. By the time I eased up, the song was already mid-way. John looked great, but was a bit stiff with the dance moves.
Bebasi – Ah! Another sweet song. The transition was much better and this time I could really focus on the song and John. Much Much Much better and very nicely done by John. He looks muchh better with his hair slicked back too. Anyway great song and loved Millie’s reactions.
Kehta Hai Baabul – I think I cried everytime this song came on screen.
Spoiler end
Performances:
Amitabh Bachchan – Come on, do I need to say anything else? The man’s amazing. He’s the Bollywood “God” right? haha Yes, a great restrained performance and he was at his best.
Hema Malini – Awwe Dream Girl. Isn’t she just gorgeous? I love her with BigB.. they’re always at so much ease. With regards to the film, I wish she had a bit more scope though. Even her opposition seemed pretty weak but that again goes back to the ‘lack of time’ in the second half.
Rani Mukherjee – She’s one of my favorite actresses and she did what she does best. She’s fabulous as Millie. Her love for Avinash is visible and its felt for the audience. This is especially evident when Avi’s gone and she sits by herself with his sweater in hand dreaming about him. Fabulous performance and IMO, awardworthy.
Salman Khan – Ok, who said that he had a ’special appearance’? Seriously who? I want to smack that person right now. Avinash is the *light* of the film. There is a contrasting difference between the first and the second half because Avinash is missing (well duh!). I liked the quirkiness Salman added to this character. Little gestures that made his character very endearing and lovable…and gosh, has there been a time when I have not liked Salman’s interaction with kids? Just the two scenes with Ansh were enough for me to love Avinash even more. He really was the *perfect* guy now wasn’t he?
John Abraham – The sacrificing friend. A very sweet role indeed and very different from his other roles. He was great at times, good at others and average in some. I didn’t like his scene with Amitabh Bachchan in London, but his scenes with Rani were sweet.
Rajpal Yadav was funny as always, Om Puri commendable, Sarika had a horrible role and I felt bad for her and the rest of the cast was strictly ok.
Chemistry -
Amitabh/Hema – So so so cute, though I wish they had more scenes together. Loved the scene where Hema says “I love you” to him. Great scene at the end as well when she feels that she deserted him at the wrong time.
Amitabh/Rani – Yes Yes…. two wonderful actors = magic! They had a lot more scenes in the second half and both shined in each one. My particular favorite was when Millie complains that he wants her out of the house and Balraj’s reactions.
Salman/Amitabh – Fantastic!!!! I have to admit the “buddy” thing did go OTT at times but it was still so cute especially when it carried down to Ansh. They had some great scenes together and looked like they had a blast…. had the entire theater laughing out loud. They need to do some more father-son roles.
Salman/Rani – Woa-uh! They’ve always had this very comfortable chemistry with each other and that showed through in this film as well. Salman courting Rani was too cute…. Their coffee/tea differences aww. One of my favorite scenes was when he came to see her at her house before the wedding. Sooooooo sweeeeeeeeet!!!!
John Rani – I know the Jani fans were really looking forward to this but I honestly didnt see any sparks fly. It could just be because the audience had gotten so attached to Avinash/Millie that Rajat/Millie were nothing more than friends. Thats just my opinion though. Others may disagree. Maybe a film in the future with both would prove me wrong.
Special mention to Ansh – What an adorabblee kiddie hehe Muah***
FAVORITE SCENES
Amitabh’s and Salman’s first meeting.
Salman trying his best to ‘woo’ Rani
Salman’s skipping! haha He did this a few times actually… once with Ansh.
Salman and Rajpal Yadav’s shirt dilemma haha — this one had people laughing up a storm!
The proposal awww ….
John/Salman’s meeting
Salman’s visit to Rani’s house on the day of the wedding. And the whole “Tonight … Tonight … ….. Ouhhhh …. Tomorrow night” hahahaha
Karva Chauth 1 and 2. One was adorable, 2 was heartwrenching!
Salman’s scene with Ansh — quite possibly the sweetest scene in the film…. Doodh pi, saans leh! haha
“My kishmish will be a shashmish” — Awwwwweeee!! (sweet esp. cuz he was hehe)
The death – Everyone knew it was coming but there was still a huge gasp!
Amitabh/Rani in the library (i think)
Amitabh going through his son’s baby album and seeing Ansh standing in front of him.
Final Verdict… After the long ass review that I didnt think I’d write haha…. Great first half, shaky second half. Ideally, they should’ve cut some of the first half to make room for the widow re-marriage theme. Editing in the second half was horrible; and I always hate it when a person does a complete 180 in less than ten minutes.. so the climax, unfortunately wasn’t any great shakes for me. BUT, despite the weaknesses, the performances make up for it. Its worth watching for the fans of Amitabh, Rani, Hema, John and especially Salman. Why Salman fans? Because this is NOT a guest appearance. Ya hear? I know a lot of his fans were planning on giving this a miss because of Salman’s so called guest appearance.
6.5/10
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