Feb 13, 2009 06:36 PM
1276 Views
The story that inspired us ---
There was a time when the poor man got chance to meet his intimate friend during schooling under a sage. His friend was going to be a king. He got divine grace. But still, he didnot have any resistance to interact with the poor guy!
While parting, both of them felt how deep was their friendship. The poor man continued with the miseries of life. He married, got kids and was finding it difficult to meet both ends meet. And finally his spouse forced him to approach his friend to help them out from this situation.
He was principled and don't want to utilize the friendship for any selfish motives. But finally out of social pressure he went to see his friend. When he met him, he couldn't ask for any help. On return he realized, he is blessed with all fortunes by his friend!
The story told to us by Grandpa and Grandma - "The Krishna - Sudama story"
Of course, the movie "Billu Barber" is the modern age adaptation of the same story and that is the most endearing fact. Here we have a barber, Billu (Irrfan Khan) who donot want to compromise his principles to earn fortune!
Hey, not fortune - I should say even livelihood. He is straight forward and want to have a simple living. But as a father, professional he is a total failure as he find it difficult to make both ends meet. He faces so many hardships in life - his children were thrown out from school, he is getting taunts from his own kids.
His wife (Lara Dutta) is a typical Indian wife who stood by him but at the same time equally demanding as she is concerned about the well being of kids. His destiny take a U turn when superstar Sahir Khan (Shahrukh Khan) with Z category protection reaches his village for shooting. The childhood connection of Billu and Sahir Khan caught the attention of public and there were many who starts coaxing him to see the super star.
Billu's life reaches a tumultous phase. Whether he is able to meet Sahir? If so, whether he will treat him just like Lord Krishna did to Sudama? Well, this is the theme of the movie "Billu Barber"Something which caught my attention -
Irrfan Khan always amazed me with his spontanity. The Madrasi of Mumbai Meri Jaan, Naive Corporate executive of Life in a Metro and finally Billu Barber - he did a fantastic job. He is one of the few actors I have found who does not require dialogue to express the feeling.
Lara Dutta - did a good enough job by accepting a role that demand no glamour at all. The transition from the flamboyant Ms. Universe to a house wife is quite amazing!The two kids of Billu - Excellent choice! They do give the feel of "smell of life"
Shahrukh - He remains in the shadow always and that is the beauty. The climax scene did tell us why he is called as "King of bollywood". The way in which he showed the emotion under the pressure of keeping is super star status is worth mentioning.
Music - Well, honestly this movie does not require too much of songs as the theme itself is so close to life. It would have been better if the songs are utlised only to show the glamour aspect of the super star. Cinematography - This needs some extra accolades. No special technique but it really shows the good hand behind the same to capture the scenic beauty of the village
A bit on the other side
Did I say everything is well and good about the movie? Sometimes it so happens that even if all elements are good also, there would be some spoilers which really put the entire effect down and it happened here also.
Priyadarshan is not the one who got natural inclination to handle serious themes. Kalapani, Kancheepuram etc. are his forced attempts to make serious movies. He is a movie maker who got the talent to bring in lots of colours on the screen with the spark of comedy. Gardish, Virasat etc.
Do have the genius touch of other directors and Priyadarshan did only a remake attempt. Here also - we can see the character of Lara Dutta is decked up with eye liners and lip glosses where as they are struggling to make both ends meet. Also, the shooting of the movie in which superstar Shahrukh act does not require any village scenic beauty!
Also, the emotional theme often derails because of the strained attempt to bring in comedy and bad editing, the climax and other emotional scenes seems to be too much of coincidence and is being dealt with out seriousness.
Inshort, might be a movie made in a South Indian Language do have audience to appreciate serious movies and it will bag good return to the producer. The Keralite friend of mine who was with me for the movie told me that the original malayalam movie ran for more than 150 days in theatre and it was more closer to life. Might be, Priyadarshan want to impose the bollywood masala in wrong proportion here. And it is quite difficult to accommodate the super star status of King Khan!
You wont get the feel of an emotional close to life movie and neither you will get the feel of a bollywood masala with the magic of King Khan! All together - the movie seemed to be a beautiful sweet dish served on a soiled pot!
