Ranbir deaf-mute but happy-go-lucky in 'Barfee'

Mumbai, April 13 (IANS) Though Ranbir Kapoor plays a deaf and mute man in Anurag Basu's 'Barfee', his character would be no sad sack but a happy-go-lucky chap.

For some months, Anurag concentrated on instilling a positivity and laughter into the script before he began shooting and decided to make 'Barfee' a positive life-affirming film with plenty of humour, music, dancing and singing.

The title of the film was changed from the dark 'Silence' to the sweet-and-cute 'Barfee'. The film will now have as many as 10-12 songs, although the hero doesn't talk or speak.

Said a source: 'Anurag Basu was earlier working simultaneously on his two Ranbir Kapoor projects 'Barfee' and 'Kishore' (the Kishore Kumar bio-pic) for UTV. In the past few months, he abandoned 'Kishore' to focus on altering and fine-tuning 'Barfee'.'

'Though Ranbir's character of 'Barfee' cannot hear or speak, he will be shown to be a happy-go-lucky sod. He will be goofy and fun-loving, making others laugh while laughing at his own debilitating disabilities.'

In the film, Ranbir stars with Priyanka Chopra, who plays a mentally challenged girl.