~~Befikre Review & Boxoffice Thread~~ - DT N P 92 - Page 13

2 minutes of silence to those who went for #Befikre expecting a good fun film and lost out on hard earned cash in the era of #DeMonetisation

Boredom takes over as the film turns into routine Bollywood masala love story. Even full frontal nudity cannot save #Befikre

Ever since the inception of the Yash Raj Films banner (YRF), almost every film of theirs is a celebration in itself. After having made his debut as a director with the blockbuster film DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE, Aditya Chopra went onto make a handful of films, which too turned out to be box-office successes. After having directed RAB NE BANA DI JODI, Aditya Chopra returns to direction after 8 long years with the coming-of-age film titled BEFIKRE, which releases this week. Will BEFIKRE turn out to be a carefree' hit at the Box-Office, or will it be a matter to worry about for its makers, let's analyze.

BEFIKRE, which celebrates being carefree in love, is a story about a couple's ups and downs and their ultimate realization of love. The film starts off with a stereotyped break up scene between Dharam (Ranveer Singh) and Shyra (Vaani Kapoor) which ends up with Dharam calling Shyra a s**t', which hurts her the most. This is followed by a flashback of events which mirrors their yesterday and connects it with their today. The flashback sees a young and carefree Dharam landing up in Paris at the behest of his friend, who gives him a job of a stand-up comedian in his night club. On one of the party-hopping spree, Dharam meets a tour guide Shyra, a French girl of Indian origin. A couple of casual encounters later, the strong minded Dharam and Shyra decide to have a live in relationship, vowing not to say stupid' things like I love you', because it will put an end to their carefree lives. Even when they break up with each other, they even land up celebrating that as well. All is well till the time a smart and well educated Anya (Armaan Ralhan) enters Shyra's life. After a few meetings and partying with Shyra, Anya proposes marriage to her. When Dharam gets to know about Shyra's marriage, he shocks Shyra by announcing his marriage to a French girl Christine. What happens after that, are a series of events that changes everyone's equation with each other. What are the events that change the course of their lives, do Shyra and Dharam ever break their rule and mouth the three magic words to each other, who does Shyra choose ultimately between Dharam and Anya, is what forms the rest of the story.

When BEFIKRE's promos were released, while the film resembled to be a kiss-fest, it did not give out even an ounce of the plot. While BEFIKRE may come across as an original piece of work, one can't help overlook the similarities with the French film LOVE ME IF YOU DARE. Even though such unusual concepts are unfamiliar to the Indian audiences' taste and sensitivity, full marks to Aditya Chopra for having presented BEFIKRE in a very novel manner. While it may resonate well with the youth of today, the traditional audiences might find it shocking to digest.

The film's screenplay (Aditya Chopra) is a coming-of-age, fast paced, entertaining and has more to it than just the kisses, dares and frivolous one-night stands. The characterisations in the film are strong and the dares form the highpoint of the enterprise. What keeps the audiences hooked to their seats is the fact that each of the dares keep on becoming more audacious and adventurous than the previous ones (even though they are a part of a song and not the extended screenplay). The film's dialogues (Aditya Chopra, Sharat Katariya) are funny, romantic, naughty, heartfelt and poignant... all at the same time. It will surely find its resonance with the audiences (esp. the Gen-Next). Even though the French dialogues in certain portions might act as a hindrance, it remains true to the ethos of the script.

After having directed films like DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE (DDLJ), MOHABBATEIN and RAB NE BANA DI JODI, Aditya Chopra returns to direction yet again with BEFIKRE. For him, the film is a total tectonic shift from his DDLJ days, where traditions and old age theme ruled the roost. It won't be wrong to say that Aditya Chopra had completely reinvented himself with BEFIKRE, which is a fun entertainer with basic Indian values. The film is about how you can retain your Indian-ness', and, yet be a global citizen and find goodness in cultural values of other countries. On the whole, Aditya Chopra gives one more reason as to why he is one of the best story tellers in Bollywood today. While the film's first half does not have even a single dull moment and is lively, it's the second half that dips a bit (more towards when Anya gets introduced in the story). But the unpredictably silly, yet, hilarious climax more than makes up for the same. Do not miss scenes like the pre climax sangeet, Ranveer Singh searching for corn flake', Karaoke sessions between Ranveer, Vaani and Arman.

As for the performances, the film rides majorly on the (sturdy) shoulders of Ranveer Singh, who has time and again, reinvented himself with every passing film. Besides his perfect comic timing, the energy and the freshness that he brings to the screen is extremely infectious. After having played a serious character in the historic last film BAJIRAO MASTANI, Ranveer Singh takes a complete U-turn as far as his character in BEFIKRE is concerned. He not only lives upto the film's title, but also justifies every ounce of the character. The best part about him is that, he is unlike any other star and just believes in being himself, which is what makes him unique. On the other hand, after having debuted with SHUDDH DESI ROMANCE, Vaani Kapoor exhibits her screen presence in BEFIKRE with lan and style. She not just complements Ranveer Singh's character in the film, but also, walks shoulder to shoulder with him as far as performances are concerned. There are scenes wherein, besides coming across as a super-confident girl, she looks super hot. She is not at all camera shy and displays her body with utmost ease. Armaan Ralhan is definitely a find of the film. Rest of the characters in the film help to carry the film forward.

The music (Vishal-Shekhar) of BEFIKRE goes well with the spirit and theme of the film. Despite the album having half a dozen tracks, the snappy duration of the film's soundtrack (26 minutes) helps it fit in extremely well into the film's narrative. The film's soundtrack is, by far, one of the best soundtracks of the year. Tracks like Nashe Di' and Ude Dil Befikre' are already a rage all over. The film's background score (Mikey McCleary) helps film's proceedings in a big way.

The film's cinematography (Kaname Onoyama) is outstanding. The way in which he has shot the locations (esp. Paris) are extremely superlative and top-notch. In other words, BEFIKRE looks like a blatant promotional exercise of French Tourism. The film's editing (Namrata Rao) is crisp and bang-on.

On the whole BEFIKRE is an urban youth centric fun entertainer with a new age theme which will find patronage with the youth. At the Box- Office, it will be loved and appreciated by the target audience. The masses might find the subject bold and shocking; however, they will be in a minority to make any sizeable impact to its box office prospects. A Sure-shot winner all the way.

Need a good film to overcome the experience of #Befikre. Luckily its SAUDAGAR coming on @ZeeClassic feat a different @SrBachchan Cheers!

Befikre is one carefree movie and we guess that is how the CBFC became when it came to certifying it. The Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor starrer has a lot of otherwise objectionable scenes that would have been chopped off if it weren't for Aditya Chopra.

The biggest highlight being Ranveer's naked butt (Yes, rush to the theaters before it gets censored!); using the word sl*t' more than just once, or Vaani showing off her cleavage and the middle finger. All of these just seem to have escaped the CBFC's notice.

Is the CBFC really biased towards Aditya Chopra? What do you think?

An almost-Housefull morning show is always a good sign. #Befikre

Entertainment yes, depth no. Here's my review of #Befikre

Befikre
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Vaani Kapoor
Director: Aditya Chopra
Rating: 2.5/5

Aditya Chopra made hearts bleed and lovers cry with his debut film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge 21 years ago. In between DDLJ and Befikre, he directed only two films: Mohabbatein (2000) and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008).

It's interesting given his status as a top-billed filmmaker. Though his production house Yash Raj Films has been releasing similar films year after year, the director in him remained in pursuit of stories that could strike a balance between uninhibited millennials and the generations that savoured Yash Chopra brand of romance.

In Mohabbatein and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Chopra was in search of a perfect world where youthful romance and traditions could go hand in hand. He made two different worlds meet on a neutral ground where both could have equal chances. If Raj Aryan and Narayan Shankar battled it out in a secluded school in Mohabbatein, Surinder Sahni and Taani Gupta had a face-off at a dance competition in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

So, it doesn't surprise when Chopra chooses Paris as his prime location in Befikre. It's convenient. A Delhi flirt and a French-born Indian had to be given a neutral venue to show off their wild sides.

Even though we have grown up on a staple diet of Switzerland, New York, London and Paris in our films, the opening collage of people kissing on the banks of Seine soothes our hearts. It feels Chopra is going to make us privy to a story that's about unbound love and carefree youth.

In the background, soulful Labon ka karobaar' features all sorts of couples - from gays to school kids to traffic cops - tenderly kissing each other. It's a city where they know how to share a passion. It's a big party celebrating unchained emotions that are above class and creed.

But Paris is not devoid of non-conformists. Dharam Gulati (Ranveer Singh) and Shyra Gill (Vaani Kapoor) are two of them. Same yet different they both long for family values and Chopra makes sure they say it on-screen in as many words.

They casually sleep together, fall in love with multiple partners, get out of it with similar ease and still affirm their faith in the institution of marriage. This way, there is a possibility of keeping every set of audience happy. It's mainstream filmmaking after all.

Dharam hails from Karol Bagh and is a familiar Delhi boy. The kind who works out tirelessly to fit into a skintight t-shirt, or who waxes his chest but forgets about armpits. The charming guy is a bit sexist too, but that doesn't count for much in Bollywood. s**t and chudail' are part of his casual conversation and he knows he has a way with women.

Our heroine is in between odd jobs and wants to live a life that can be an extension of the songs she dances on with Singh.

But, they have Punjabi roots and that calls for a throwback to Chopra's very own DDLJ. If you still don't get it then somebody will mention ghee-drenched aloo ke paranthe' and ma ke dupatte ki mehak'. In short, Befikre begins on a promising note and slowly turns into a film that's been made and released several times before.

Dharam is a stand-up comedian without a single notice-worthy joke. One of his friends has called him to Paris because his restaurant wants to attract Indians living there. Not a smart investment. And then he decides to seek inspiration from his break-up. It's better to force a song than stale humour.

In between the scenes of making-out on a busy road and stripping inside a library, Chopra also presents his classic yet clichd theory. The apologetic tone presses for the audience's affirmation in established Bollywood trends.

We always know where this is heading. The fast pace and exotic locales of this 140-odd minute film help us in zooming past the repetitive scenes. Singh also knows the weight on his shoulders and his energy is contagious. It's difficult to imagine anybody else as Dharam. But he is capable of more.

Where is the intensity that was intentional? Maybe, this generation doesn't feel betrayed or cheated. But you know what, the pain of not being together is what makes loves a dreaded emotion.

They are not asking for any relationship advice. They are only letting us know their decisions. And that's fine. They are intelligent and smart enough to take control of their lives. But, are they also not confused? The audience would have liked to lend an ear to their casual dating problems. But we are kept at a distance by the writer who never gets deep into the lives of Dharam and Shyra to figure out what made them the people they are.

They are ready to fly, but something is holding them back. What is that? Glamour tinted glasses will never let us know. Befikre values entertainment as much as you want those Rs 100 notes these days. Be sure of getting entertained by Ranveer Singh's charisma and Vaani Kapoor's French. But, don't wish for more.The Yash Raj bank too delivers under restrictions.