I was
eyeing this Pack-of-Barfi since the launch of this teaser, and boy what a treat
indeed it is! Well, a couple hours after I am out of the movie hall, still not
getting out of the extra-sweet hangover
;)
If I need
to describe in few words - Its out-an-out-family-entertainer.'
In fact
it started picking up my attention right from the time when the very rustic
colored but flamboyant looking poster launched with 3 youthful new-age actors
shown sitting on the hawking cart. And from there the 'kosher' Rajkumaar Rao
went straight into my heart and I believe of millions of Indians - girls and
guys (obviously the straight ones ;)) .
The story
even though not very different, the situations, dialogues and amazing acting
puts the screen on fire. It’s a small town story made on a low budget, but with
utmost focus on all facets of movie making. Full Marks to the production house
BR studios and Junglee Pictures. The story revolves around Bitty (Kriti Sanon),
her parents (Seema Pahwa and Pankaj Tripathi) Chirag (Ayushman Khurana),
Primtam Vidrohi (Invincible Rajkumaar Rao) and set-up in Bareilly. Like usual I
won't delve into the dish, but will cover the bits on the ingredients :-)
The Barfi
looks, feels and tastes like a Barfi albeit a bit Chatpati. The streak of fizzy
dialogues, it feels like having a dryfruit barfi with hint of cinnamon,
cardamom and chilly to make it Chatpati. Very unusual jugalbandi of dialogues
or probably very meaningful 1-liners, which is returning to screen after long.
Nitesh Tiwari the 'Dangal' director is master-chef (story and dialogues) along
with Shreyas Jain Rajat Nonia. The language is so rooted and the punches are so
genuine, you are always glued to the screen, and rolling off your chair.
The Music
is the next key element. 'Sweety Tera Drama' will go on to become eternal party
/ club song. I feel like listening to this one in loop. Undoubtedly its none
other than 'Tanishk Bagchi' who is the lead music composer, who gives one more
chartbuster 'Twist Kamaria'. I refer to him as 'KingOfClubs' and for the
reason: 2017 alone he rocked the screen with hits like - The Humma Song, Tamma
Tamma Again, Baarish, and the forthcoming 'Tere Rashke Qamar'. He is one of the
talented new-age composers along side Amit Trivedy, Ram Sampath and Sachin
Jigar. 'Bairaggi' by Samira Koppikar is another surprise Hindi R&B song.
Background score is so apt, gives you a feeling like watching an Hollywood
movie / show on BBC.
Acting is
obviously the soul of this magical recipe.
Kriti Sanon is a wonderful surprise. She definitely have taken immense
efforts to do justice to a full-blown-female-lead-role. She could have been
better but she definitely impresses everyone with her true-to-the-character-expressions
and wonderful looks. Ayushman Khurana has done this before, but both his and
Rajkumaar Rao's character have sweet-chilly (grey) shades in them. Especially
trapped-in-emotional-conflicts-lover was a difficult part, but Ayushman portrays
Chirag effortlessly. Seema Pahwa has been a known face on TV since the good old
'Hum Log' days (played Badki, in first soap opera on DD in early 80s) and
creates another memorable mother on the silver screen. Pankaj Tripathi is
studious and talented NSDian and had proven himself in number of movies. His
portrayal of a liberal and loving father is just stunning. Rohit Chaudhary and
Swati Semwal as Munna and Rama are quite convincing. Especially Swati goes with
the theme of the movie really well looking too sweet on the screen.
What will
linger in your mind for long will be Pritam Vidrohi portrayed by invincible
Rajkumaar Rao. Full marks again to Nitesh and team for building such an
astonishing-range-of-behavior-in-a -ingle-character. Pritam at his core is a
very soft and a bit of feminine character. And on the other hand he is pushed
to become a very Dabang, Rangrez, Rowdy - Bhai type character aka Vidrohi. No
he doesn’t do it in a double role, but he does the swing in his roles,
gestures, expressions in a blink of an eye. Wow what a portrayal - It's the
biggest treat to watch him act - Performance Powerhouse! His so called entry
after the transformation from Pritam to
Vidrohi just before the interval is Super. You will be enthralled, will
have goosebumps, and for a moment will feel like you yourself getting into the
skin of character - Like after getting out of the movie hall doing the exact
set of gestures - riding your bike with your cool shades on, and towering
people with thick rough tonality that will even scare any Bhais loitering in
nearby 'Nukkads'. Full marks to Rajkummar Rao - He is next Nasiruddin
Shah, Robert De Nero of Indian movie.
How can I
forget the host of this Party - Ashwany Iyer Tiwari has delivered cracker of a
movie and it feels like celebrating Diwali in August. The way she has
orchestrated the whole recipe is just unparallel. Clearly has a great creative
vision and moreover deep passion and directorial skills to execute the same.
The second half is all about multiple twists in the story, which used to be the
forte of Imtiaz Ali, however the #BKB twists are a lot original (not
unnecessarily twisted), not melodramatic and yet appealing to viewers. Ashwani
Iyer Tiwari will be next leading director in Bollywood - Hope she will make
movies quicker unlike Reema Kagti (another stunning female director in
Bollywood, with less body of work)
So if you
still haven't tasted, please rush to a movie hall near you to relish on
delightful 'Raj'bhog Rao, Gulabjam Khurana and Imrati Sanon. You will feel like
celebrating Diwali during Ganapti. And yes a DVD / Blue Ray at home is highly
recommended as a standard staple diet for a rainy day.
Rx - Equally good for
the Diabetics, Petite and Obesse - It won't harm you as it only builds healthy
calories injecting endless laughter.
