Jan 31, 2011 03:16 PM
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Filmmakers usually dabble in one particular genre of cinema in which they are comfortable. Some of them try to experiment in other genres too. While few are successfully able to do the switch, the rest miserably fail. For instance, Raj Kumar Santoshi came up with hard hitting classics like Damini, Ghayal, Khakee, Halla Bol but in between also entertained audiences with capers like Andaz Apna Apna and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. In the yesteryears, Ramesh Sippy, Yash Chopra and many others successfully made films, each have a different feel, mood and genre. Now Madhur Bhandarkar attempts something similar. Known for his realistic films, the maverick director changes tracks and has come up with a romcom, Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji! The good news is that Bhandarkar doesn’t badly falter as the film is a smooth ride. However, at the same time, there are some points in the film that clearly prove his incompetence as a director of such kind of a film. But overall, it’s worth giving a watch!
The story of the movie: 38-year-old Naren (Ajay Devgn) is all set to get divorced from his wife (Rituparna Sengupta). To get over the loneliness, he accommodates 2 paying guests in his house-Milind Kelkar (Omi Vaidya) and Abhay (Emraan Hashmi). At this point, Naren falls for 21 year old June Pinto (Shazahn Padamsee), who works as an intern at Naren’s office. June is cute, vibrant and bubbly and Naren cant stop getting attracted to her. Milind, a budding poet and employee at a matrimonial website, meanwhile, falls madly in love with Gungun (Shraddha), a RJ wanting to become an actress. However, Gungun has no hots for Milind and only wants to follow her dreams. Abhay, a true Casanova, experiences the essence of true love when he meets Nikki (Shruti Hassan), who loves to do social service and carries ‘I-speak-my-mind’ attitude. The film traces the ups and downs in the love story of these 3 guys.
Lots of credit should be given to Madhur Bhandarkar for coming up with ‘realistic love film’. The characters and the happenings in the film seem straight out-of-life. You probably know someone who has gone through a similar phase in his/her life. This is where Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji scores brownie points. However, one wishes the direction was better at places. Several scenes required some dramatic treatment so that the punch could have impacted more. Sadly, that doesn’t happen.
Talking of the 3 love stories, the best is undoubtedly the Ajay-Shazahn track. It was very cute and sweet and not only divorced people but people of all age groups would find it relatable. The Omi-Vaidya track too had its moments. Although the guy here seemed too filmy especially with regard to his love for his girl, it definitely didn’t seem fake. There are such guys who go to bizarre lengths for their love! And the Emraan-Shrurti-Tisca Chopra love triangle was sadly the weakest story. Some developments happened too quickly. That Emraan really was in love with Shruti didn’t come out well. Parallels here can be drawn with Ranbir-Deepika love story in Bachna Ae Haseeno wherein too a Casanova experiences true love and later on faces tragic rejection. In the case of Bachna Ae Haseeno, the audiences actually felt that Ranbir really loves Deepika and this was done in minimal time. Wish Madhur could have attempted Emraan’s track in a similar fashion. Having said that, Emraan’s story also turned out to be enjoyable because of Emraan’s lovable Casanova antics and witty jokes and one-liners!
Notwithstanding the flaws, the film moves at a nice, breezy pace. There’s a not a single point where the film stagnates. The pre-climax twists does come out as a bolt from the blue. And the climax was in true Bhandarkar style! It also nicely justifies the film’s tagline: “Love Grows… Men Don’t!!” and “They Thought They Were In Love!” Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji also points out the realistic trend and mindsets of today’s youngsters. No one dies or turns a Devdas if they fail to get the person they love. Today’s generation is more practical and realistic and this is nicely depicted by the film!
Performance wise, every actor has put his best foot forward. Ajay Devgn yet again impresses and proves that he’s one of the most versatile actors around. And the best part is, he’s playing a character of his own age. Hence, the goings-on really seem very real. He has changed his entire look, body language to suit the character of a boring, listless 38 year old! Shazahn Padamsee looks extremely cute and gives a first-rate performance. Her dialogues and conversations with Ajay (especially the one on virginity) form the highpoint of the film!
Omi Vaidya gives an honest performance that suits his personality and appearance just right. He really acts better in scenes that required him to cry! Shraddha Das does a confident debut and surely has a long way to go if she signs the right scripts! Emraan Hashmi was rocking! His character and the way he carried out in his cool style make Emraan the best performer of the film! Way to go Emraan! Shruti Hassan, frankly, doesn’t have much to do in the film. But nonetheless, she delivers a fine performance. It’s Tisca Chopra who has more screen presence than Shruti. And as expected, she does a beautiful job. An actor that deserves to be seen more!
Rituparna Sengupta was fair. Aditya Raj Kapoor (Shruti’s dad) was just okay. Mukesh Tiwari (Omi’s boss) provides laughs. Shveta Salve was ravishing in the song ‘Ye Dil Hai Nakhrewala’. Dhruv Bhandari (Shazahn’s ex boyfriend) was too good. So was the actress playing Shazahn’s granny. Others do a nice job.
Pritam’s music was quite alright and certainly not one of his best. Best song of the lot is definitely Abhi Kuch Dino Se. Jadugari Tu Khwab Hai is nicely placed at regular intervals in the film. Background score was lovely. Mere Apne’s well-known song ‘Koi Hota Jisko Apna’ is beautifully added in the film!
Sanjay Chhel’s dialogues are very funny and witty and one of the main reasons why film succeeds. The joke on Qasab brings the house down! So is the ‘Cyrus Batliwala’ part! Madhur Bhandarkar, Neeraj Udhwani and Anil Pandey’s story and screenplay was good in the sense that it was very true to life. Same goes for screenplay, although the culmination to Omi-Shraddha track could had been scripted better.
Finally, Madhur Bhandarkar overall does a good and not very good job as director. Several scenes said loudly that he was incapable of treating them well. However, the story, characters, actors and also his direction (at places) save the film. But my request to this wonderful director would be that he should make more realistic films like Chandni Bar, Satta, Page 3, Corporate, Fashion and Jail rather than a Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji!
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