Trailer Review: Baar Baar Dekho

Post the release of "Kala Chashma" on 27th July 2016, buzz around the Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif starrer Baar Baar Dekho inched notches up. This Bollywood directorial debut of Life of Pi (2012) fame Nitya Mehra is co-produced by Karan Johar, Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar. The movie also features stellar actors like Sarika, Ram Kapoor, Taaha Shah, Sayani Gupta, and popular comic Rohan Joshi in supporting roles.

The trailer opens with Jai (Malhotra) and Diya (Kaif) celebrating a euphoric present decorated with intimate moments and exotic vacations. Things go haywire when a few hours before their wedding, Jai decides on a different course and what happens next, forms the crux of the story. In one spur of a moment, his life topples, dives and collapses. Now trapped in a swivel of speeding time and accelerated ageing, Jai realizes he's living a troubled marriage he'd never dreamt of. Through this unimaginable journey into time, Jai is gifted with a second chance to fix the one decision that turned his life upside down.

After his last outing in the commercially and critically successful Kapoor & Sons (2016), Malhotra as Jai is convincing, yet lacks variation. Kaif looks stunning in every frame, even as she gracefully ages on-screen. The lead pair does share a noticeable chemistry, but nowhere close to their previous stints with other actors. The trailer completely revolves around the male protagonist, leaving extremely little screen space for the leading lady and the remaining cast. Hopefully, this is not the case in the movie as well!

Mehra and Sri Rao clearly lose points because Baar Baar Dekho's plot is nothing close to extraordinary, something we did not expect from them. It undeniably bears resemblances to The Time Traveller's Wife (2009) and Ru Ba Ru (2008) in parts. Given how Rao has made quite a name for himself in the American TV industry and written some popular shows, one can't help but be disappointed with his Bollywood debut. The cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran is commendable and why not, when you have a budget backed by big banners like Dharma Productions and Excel Entertainment. Assistant director to award-winning projects Life of Pi (2012) and The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012), Mehra uses her refined skills to highlight even the simplest of details.

Writer: Anushka J.

Editors: Ritchelle C. and Gunia K.

Graphics: Nadia N.