The year 2012 has already given us awesome movies like Kahaani, Paan Singh Tomar, Vicky Donor, Shanghai and the so called mega blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger (according to the Box office, not me) and then comes this masterpiece – BARFI! Ranbir’s last was Rockstar and he has already won multiple awards (full list here) for that one and now this gets even better….without saying a word! [literally].
I never thought even if the main hero of a movie does not utter a word I would still love a movie (as this is NOT a silent movie). That happened yesterday! Ranbir Kapoor, as I have said earlier as well, is the most talented superstar Indian Cinema has got, after decades.
BARFI! is based in Darjeeling and later in Kolkatta. Ranbir is named Murphy in the movie but called Barfi, out love or confusion. He cannot talk or hear from his childhood but the mission in his life has always been to spread love n masti – ‘Don’t worry, be Barfi!’ being the moto! He does all kinds of pranks with people and ensures everyone around him keeps laughing all the time.
The fun starts with the song as soon as the movie starts (casting), you should listen to the lyrics! Ileana D’Cruz (Shruti) has done a very good job and I have the same comment for Priyanka Chopra (Jhilmil, an autistic) as well. Infact I liked Piggy Chops more as I have not been a real fan of her’s, earlier. So this was a pleasant surprise [and +1 as she had no dialogues :)]!
But all eyes will keep going back on Ranbir. What an actor!
Ileana (Shruti) is also the story narrator of the movie. Story being very simple and yet very heart warming. The movie swaps between past and present and keeps the suspense element alive. Music and songs are lovely and the way Anurag Basu has shot Darjeeling, is simply out of this world. By the way, this is Anurag’s first movie where he got a ‘U’ certificate from the Censor Board. He is known for movies like – Life in a Metro (just like in this movie, the musicians keep appearing inbetween in Barfi! also), Murder, Gangster etc. [btw, Anurag hails from Bhilai, my sasural].
There are so many moments in the movie which will make you laugh out loud genuinely because of the pureness of the fun, perfection in delivery and the right timing of the script. Please do laugh out loud. Like the letter he gets his friend write for Ileana’s parents, asking her hand, hilarious. And there would be moments when you will fall for Ranbir when he uses sign language to express himself and you will understand every word of him and empathise with what he is going through. Some might cry, let yourself free.
At times, you might also say that the movie is slightly longish given its run time of around two and half hours but knowing what a class act is being performed you should not be complaining, as you my friend would be witnessing history being made!
I have seen movies which are of similar nature and background but I have not liked them (honestly), Barfi! is different and I loved it.
Verdict: 4/5 [0.5 extra for the new found love – Ileana! :)]