In the picture
Baabul**
*ing: Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Salman Khan, John Abraham and Hema Malini

Directed by Ravi Chopra
 
Baabul is a film that raises the social issue of widow remarriage. Our last very strong memory of a film that tackled the same issue was Raj Kapoor's Prem Rog and frankly speaking, not only was the issue more relevant in those times but it was also executed much more strongly. In this day and age, widow remarriage is not problem urbanites have to deal with. However, it is very pertinent to rural India and that is who this film seems to target
 

 
  Set in 2006 amidst the enlightened and educated family of Balraj Kapoor, the storyline of Baabul seems archaic and confused. It strives to explain how, in modern times, society still does harbour elements and individuals who are not letting go of rituals but unfortunately in its very poor execution fails to ignite any fire or convincing drama at all.

The film exists in two time zones. On one hand is the family of Balraj Kapoor (Amitabh Bachchan) – a modern family in which the father and son Avinash (Salman Khan) call each other "Buddy" and the dad calls his wife "Biwi". There are no surprises in the portrayal of their characters. Amitabh, in the first half of the film, merely prolongs the role of hip dad, one he has loved to play time and time again. Salman reverts to being his usual irritating self. Hema Malini is the modern mother who always has the perfect blow dry, even through moments of extreme distress. Millee (Rani Mukerji) is the girl Avi falls in love with and marries. She fits into the family like the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle. Their co-existence is ideal. They are a shiny, happy family and the director leaves no opportunity to push that fact down your throat. It all becomes extremely irritating as opposed to endearing.

On the other hand is the family of Balraj's elder brother played by Om Puri. He practically lives in the last century and staunchly adheres to customs and ancient traditions. His character seems totally outdated, a fact supported by his dialogues that include "Yeh Shaadi Meri Laash Per Guzr Ke Ho Gee" and "Vidhwah Ka Shaadi Per Aana Manhoos Hota Hai." It all becomes a bit too farcical when within ten minutes of delivering this dialogue and presumable decades and generations of sticking to these beliefs, he accepts that he is wrong and begs for forgiveness from his younger, progressive brother.

The flaws in Baabul do not end there. The first half of the film drags endlessly. One already knows that the extreme happiness is all leading to the extreme tragedy that is bound to strike with Avinash's death and the story delivers nothing to make the journey interesting. There is no novelty in the way Millee and Avinash meet, in their marriage, their moments of love and not even the songs. Eventually Avinash dies in an accident while his family is rejoicing his son Ansh's birthday (clichés come a bit too generously in Baabul) making Millee the grieving widow and Avi the tragic hero. But nothing could be more tragic than the performance John Abraham strikes up. A former close friend of Millee's, he is dug up by the Baabul, Balraj Kapoor, to bring her out of misery through second marriage. John is a smolderingly sexy man, but only when he's not trying to act. In Baabul he's self conscious and visibly insecure, consequently delivering a terrible, terrible performance. The time lapse between his re–entry and the wedding is too quick and not at all acceptable.

Salvation for Baabul comes in rare moments. Amitabh is brilliant as he grieves his son and takes up the role of Millee's father as opposed to father in law to protect her from a cursed future. Rani too delivers. The scene where she dances in the rain holding her dead husband's pullover to her heart is extremely emotional. The soundtrack of Baabul is over all lukewarm but the title song 'Kehta Hai Baabul' sung and composed by Amitabh Bachchan is again, very touching. On a lighter note, Rani's wardrobe designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee is refreshing but too inconsequential to effect the film in any way. All in all, this multi star film can be watched as one of those films you just have to see, but it's not really worth it.

--Aamna Haider Isani

YUCK
**WHATEVER
***GOOD
****SUPER
*****AWESOME