Shereen
Feb-12-09, 10:47 AM
Billu: Movie Review
12 Feb, 2009 08:30 pm ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES
Print EMail Discuss Share Save Comment Text:
Director: Priyadarshan
Cast: Irrfan Khan, Lara Dutta, Shah Rukh Khan
Rating:
Though the makers deny 'Billu' to be a remake, the story is a frame to frame replication of the original Malayalam film Katha Parayambul, or the Tamil version, Kuselan. And by roping Shah Rukh Khan to play the lead role, all that Priyadarshan has done is try to give this attempt a new lease of life.
While Irrfan Khan executes the title role well - as is now expected of him, Shah Rukh Khan adopts no innovative avatar. Kareena, Deepika, Priyanka, too, are there just for star value.
The story - Bilas Rao Pardesi (Irrfan Khan) works as a smalltime barber in a village and is referred to as Billu Barber. Life for Billu, his wife Bindiya (Lara Dutta) and two kids is bitter-sweet. But things take a turn when superstar Sahir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) comes to the village to shoot his next film.
Billu has been Sahir Khan’s classmate in his childhood days. When the village comes to know of this fact, their outlook towards Billu changes and overnight he becomes the most significant person for the villagers who want to get a glimpse of the star Sahir Khan.
From a laughing stock for the villagers, Billu suddenly becomes the center of attraction. Everyone from the landlords of the village to the principal of his children’s school wants to get in touch with Sahir Khan through Billu. They go out of their way to lend support to the indigent barber.
The storyline is one-dimensional through out; there aren't any twists and turns in this one. Priyadarsan tries hard to make up for the flat script and screenplay with an emotional climax that turns out to be too co-incidental and convenient.
There are glitches galore - Lara Dutta is always decked up despite her poor family status; Sahir Khan wants to shoot a futuristic film in a village...
With select associations taking offence to the word 'Barber', the word has been muted in songs, but retained in dialogues.
To sum it up, Billu is strictly an average fare, and sadly not one of the better experiences of Baal-iwood!
http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4118001.cms?in_showcase
12 Feb, 2009 08:30 pm ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES
Print EMail Discuss Share Save Comment Text:
Director: Priyadarshan
Cast: Irrfan Khan, Lara Dutta, Shah Rukh Khan
Rating:
Though the makers deny 'Billu' to be a remake, the story is a frame to frame replication of the original Malayalam film Katha Parayambul, or the Tamil version, Kuselan. And by roping Shah Rukh Khan to play the lead role, all that Priyadarshan has done is try to give this attempt a new lease of life.
While Irrfan Khan executes the title role well - as is now expected of him, Shah Rukh Khan adopts no innovative avatar. Kareena, Deepika, Priyanka, too, are there just for star value.
The story - Bilas Rao Pardesi (Irrfan Khan) works as a smalltime barber in a village and is referred to as Billu Barber. Life for Billu, his wife Bindiya (Lara Dutta) and two kids is bitter-sweet. But things take a turn when superstar Sahir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) comes to the village to shoot his next film.
Billu has been Sahir Khan’s classmate in his childhood days. When the village comes to know of this fact, their outlook towards Billu changes and overnight he becomes the most significant person for the villagers who want to get a glimpse of the star Sahir Khan.
From a laughing stock for the villagers, Billu suddenly becomes the center of attraction. Everyone from the landlords of the village to the principal of his children’s school wants to get in touch with Sahir Khan through Billu. They go out of their way to lend support to the indigent barber.
The storyline is one-dimensional through out; there aren't any twists and turns in this one. Priyadarsan tries hard to make up for the flat script and screenplay with an emotional climax that turns out to be too co-incidental and convenient.
There are glitches galore - Lara Dutta is always decked up despite her poor family status; Sahir Khan wants to shoot a futuristic film in a village...
With select associations taking offence to the word 'Barber', the word has been muted in songs, but retained in dialogues.
To sum it up, Billu is strictly an average fare, and sadly not one of the better experiences of Baal-iwood!
http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4118001.cms?in_showcase