Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Badhaai Ho: A cinematic baby worth celebrating

Just got back after watching Amit R. Sharma's film, 'Badhaai Ho'. As usual, not a regular review of the film.  I will always remember 2018 for 'Sanju', 'AndhaDhun' & 'Badhaai Ho'.

Before we go any further, a HUGE shoutout & drumroll to the writers, Akshat Ghildial & Shantanu Shrivastava. You guys make the writers' clan super proud with your super fresh & intelligent writing. You guys have joined the league of Juhi ChaturvediHitesh Kewalya - first ball pe sixer - stadium se baahar!

The trailer doesn't give away a fraction of the fun that you can expect at the cinemas this weekend. I swear, I am not exaggerating. The trailer gives a mere glimpse of what has happened, and some repercussions of some decisions.   

The real fun is not the 'what', it is about 'how' & 'what after' & a tear inducing climax that will soften even the toughest criminals. I personally was sold in the first few minutes because the film is mostly set in the same lane as in Habib Faisal's 'Do Dooni Chaar' - my review of DDC brought Rani into my life, so it holds a very special place in my heart. There's something very bitter-sweet about middle-class stories that hits the sweet spot and stays on.  Throw in a heartbreak song, and I am sold.



Though it feels like I have been married to Rani for many lifetimes, but it has only been a few years since we actually got married. For the last two years we have been dodging the most uncomfortable question thrown at us by older relatives, "Badhaai kab hogi?" Badhaai will happen when it has to, but why is it their ONLY concern, I fail to understand. Anyway, I will save that subject for some other time. In this film the announcement of the impending Badhaai is a magical scene.

It raises such a large question on the moral fibre that we have been made to adhere to. The film has done the job if people go back home thinking about the reasons of the decisions or choices they made in their lives, especially the older lot. The younger lot also have a lot of food for thought. Specifically, the equation they share with their parents. For the first 25 years of my life, I barely spoke to my parents. That changed after Rani came into my life. Now if I haven't spoken to them for a day or sent them WhatsApp messages, my day feels incomplete.  You should have seen my parents dance at our wedding - it was a sight to behold.



THEN there is bro-bonding. 

Of late I haven't been on talking terms with my kid bro. So every time there was scene between the brothers, I was weeping. I loved it when the elder brother SLAPS the little one in one scene. I want to do that too! Hahaha. The kid brother in 'Badhaai Ho' is a lovable rascal, like all kid brothers are. It is sad that I can't find the name of the guy who plays that character anywhere online. Shout out, if you know, I will update the piece. Every elder brother deserves a kid bro like him.

For me Gajraj Rao & Neena Gupta will remain Parents of The Decade, or may be a close second to the Duggals (Rishiji & Neetuji in DDC). Dadiji of The Century will be shared with Surekha Sikri in Badhaai Ho & Kamlesh Gill (in Vicky Donor).

Best Actor for me:
Popular category - Ayushmann Khurrana in Badhaai Ho & Ranbir Kapoor in Sanju.     
Critics category - Ayushmann Khurrana in AndhaDhun.

There I said it. Thank me later. Watch 'Badhaai Ho' this weekend or stop complaining about the quality of Hindi cinema forever.

Observation: I think Ayushmann Khurrana is the only actor who has two films playing at Chandan, Juhu simultaneously. Correct me if I am wrong. Actually don't bother. Bye.

Love,

Magik