Billu

Billu reminds me of the cultural fest I took part when I was in college. The play we presented had a simple (rather stupid!) story with some songs thrown in. Our USP was our star dancer and his meticulously choreographed dances. The only glitch was the story had nothing to do with the dances – it was put up just for an individual award in the best choreography category ‘cos we all knew that we couldn’t sell the play solely on its merit!

I’m a bit puzzled by Priyadarshan’s decision to remake the Malayalam hit Kathaparayumbol – a movie which appeals more to the sensibilities of the rural junta than the average multiplex hopper.

What were they thinking when they made this movie?

Priyadarshan: I yaam tha most succesful director from south… Ah! Forget Murugadoss, he is still a kid. Aye bachu, hehe. If I can make hits out of Bhagam Bhag and Malamaal Weekly, why not Billu? But whom will I cast to turn the fate of this trash around? Hmm…. Why not SRK? After all he has successfully sold craps like Om Shanti Om & Main hoon naa. Saar, will you do my filam?

SRK: (characteristic) hehehehehehe…… Only I can turn trash into gold, not even Salman can do that now, you see. But I wont play the second fiddle…..sorry….. I wont let anything overshadow me……NOT EVEN THE SCRIPT!

Priyadarshan: Dont worry, saar. Irrfan will be the hero, but in a deglamorised role – anyways we wont have to work hard on that, hehehe. You will get all the songs, get to groove with the top heroines and also get a chance to steal the climax with an Obama kind of speech, and we will call it an “extended special appearence” so that you can wash your hands of the film if it flops. What do you say now, saarey?

SRK: You sound better than Karan! Let’s roll.

Irrfan: Damn! Just when the scene was buiding up, this stupid song cropped up. Who the @’&! put that song there? Oh! SRK, was it you? Sorry, please dont throw me out, Danny hasn’t paid me well.

SRK: Hey! Deepika, if you have sulked enough on that B-grade Chinese movie, will you do an item number for me?

Deepika: Why not? After all that martial arts, I have developed a six-pack just like you. And where else could I showcase that? I am fit-fit and lets make it a hit-hit. Now thats a pretty good line, na?

Kareena: Help! Tashan, Golmal returns…..

SRK: I’m your saviour, Bebo.

Priyanka: Love Story 2050, Chamku, Drona……

SRK: Stop whining! You’re in, mutton…..errr…. Piggy Chops

Priyanka: Wow! God tussi great ho……… Arrrgh, Damn it!

Pritam: (@ Planet M) where is the hip-hop section? Ah! At last, Timbaland.

Irrfan: Arrey bhaiyya, I was supposed to do the snip-snip in the movie. Who snip-snipped my role? Damn! I was better off scaring people in Chandrakanta and insurance ads!

SRK: Enough! I’ve given enough footage to this Billu chap now. It’s time to show who’s the real hero. It’s me, me….. I’m the best. Time for my Obama speech – “Yes we can” is passe, “Billu mera dost” is the in thing.

Priyadarshan: (sniff) very touching saar! But where is the audience?

Akshay Kumar: Mera bhi flop, tera bhi flop – Oye! I’m still in the race.

SRK: (characteristic) hehehehehehe………… it was just an “extended special appearance”. I’m the best…….. I’m still the best.

Priyadarshan: Hello! reception?
When is the next train to Kerala?

-Arun

Luck By Chance

 

A.V: ***1/2

E.V: ***

 

When Jim Carrey was an aspiring to be an actor, he had once written out an undated cheque of one million dollars in his name. This same cheque he carried in his pocket everyday, with a dream of encashing the same one day. Today we all know he can write dozens of such cheques for himself. Was it his destiny or determination, or a bit of both? There are many such examples in every field whether it is business, politics, sports or cinema. The successful ones are those who have a vision they can turn into reality. In Luck by Chance, the main protagonist has one such vision and is undeterred in achieving that. Yet the movie is not so much about him as it is about choosing your life.

 

This is certainly not the first movie to be made on such a theme in Hindi cinema. The last two attempts being Superstar and Om Shanti Om. While the first was a suspense drama, and the second a fantasy and parody of the industry. In some respects, Luck by Chance is similar to OSO in the digs it takes at the industry insiders. However the screenplay does not revolve around the self indulged jokes. Sure there are some clichés like the diva who was exploited during her teens by her parents, for stardom and money. But the focus is on the ordinary hard working individuals who toil hard behind the scenes waiting in the wings for their big break.

 

The film follows the lives of two struggling actors, Vikram (Farhan) and Shona (Konkona). While Vikram is a acting school graduate, Shona takes on bit roles in big and small budget films hoping that the producer would give her a lead role one day. They go through a share of disappointments till Vikram’s life changes when he gets a call from Romy Roli Productions for audition. They are one of the biggest producers in the industry, and have been left in the doldrums when their lead hero ditches his mentor to sign another project. Vikram manages to charm the leading lady’s mother (Dimple) and gets his chance to live his dream. What effect this development has on his personality, his relationship with Shona and the decisions they take form the crux of the story.

 

To her credit, Zoya Akhtar has shot the movie in her own perspective, rather than trying to emulate her brother’s filmmaking style, proof of which can be found in the way the last twenty minutes of this movie unfold. It is a conclusion which might puzzle some; thankfully Zoya did not choose a typical ‘everyone lives happily ever after’ ending for this one. The pace of the movie does drop in the second half. The music is a big letdown, and even though there are a few nice songs, none of them catch your attention. This was Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s follow up to Dostana and Rock On, both of which had a number of chartbusters.

 

Farhan does justice to the role that (as is commonly reported) was one of the least desirable given the number of people who rejected it. He conveys the intensity required in the character and also has some lighter moments here, something which made his portrayal different from Rock On. Konkona shares her screen space with a lot of smaller characters yet makes an impression being a stalwart. Rishi Kapoor is thoroughly enjoyable in his role of the over-the-top producer and his mannerisms, though borrowed seem well timed to bring in all the laughs.

 

The makers of this film have spoken about the struggle they had to undergo to complete this project. If you notice carefully, the film in several places portrays those struggles, a poignant reminder that sometimes you need to be lucky to get a chance to prove yourself on center stage.

 

- Suprateek Sinha