Sonil Dedhia reviews Band Baaja Baraat.
A wedding is a time for fun, enjoyment and celebration. Indian weddings, especially, are lavish affairs.
Band Baaja Baraat takes you behind the scenes to show what goes on behind these weddings.
Shruti (Anushka Sharma), a final year student in college works part time as a wedding planner. She is a no nonsense girl, full of energy and prone to anger. Her goal is to become the best wedding planner in India. She already has a name ready for her business, 'Shaadi Mubarak' and sets a deadline of 5 years to achieve everything before settling down.
Bitoo (Ranveer Singh), on the other hand is the exact opposite. While Shruti knows what she wants, Bitoo is lazy and unmotivated. He spends most of his time with his friends gate crashing weddings for the food.
It is not long before Shruti runs into Bittoo. Despite their contrasting personalities, Bitoo falls hard for Shruti and they soon become friends.
Lady luck shines on Bittoo and the two become partners in the 'wedding planning ka bijness'. Shruti sets the rules. Profit will be 50-50 and Jisse vyapaar karo, usse kabhi na pyaar karo (Don't mix business with pleasure). Together, they provide personalised and honest wedding services.
Business blossoms and so does their relationship. One thing leads to another and Shruti forgets the rules. She starts liking Bittoo but this creates a rift and thus begins their individual journey that forms the rest of the story.
The script is fresh and debutant director Maneesh Sharma does full justice to it. The movie is well written and the director has handled the subject really well. He has executed the light moments as well as subtle emotions amazingly well.
Dialogues and screenplay by Habib Faisal, who directed Do Dooni Chaar are first rate. The film's look is also striking. Bittoo and Shruti's styling is up to the mark. Aseem Mishra's cinematography is excellent. You almost feel that you have entered the by lanes of Delhi. Music composers Salim-Sulaiman have done a good job as well. The songs are perfectly timed and in keeping with the mood of the film.
Anushka Sharma is a treat to watch. She has come a long way since her first movie. She can cry and laugh at the same time and deliver a biting line with equal believability. Ranveer Singh is very natural and his sincerity can be seen in his performance. He brings spontaneity to his character. The rest of the supporting cast has done a good job too.
On the whole, Band Baaja Baraat is a refreshing film -- very different from the usual romantic comedy movies we're so used to. It is a well-made film that should connect with the audience. Give this one a chance, you won't regret it.
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