Band Baaja Baaraat Review

'Band Baaja Baaraat' is one colourful and vibrant film that should finally end a continued draught that Bollywood has been facing ever since 'Golmaal 3' came and went. An industry which is reeling under half a dozen major flops already in last few months, Bollywood could well benefit from this relatively small but delightful film that makes for a very good family viewing.

Right from the first scene when Anushka catches Ranveer red handed as he gate crashes into a wedding, you know that there is going to be something special between the two of them. Their partnership, a vow to be just together in 'binness' (the way 'business' is pronounced in the film), their sharing of bed for countless nights while maintaining a platonic relationship, their business deals and a formation of a solid team - everything is flawless, perfect and just so 'crrrect' (the way correct is pronounced in the film).

However, once Anushka and Ranveer get intimate, you experience the same fear as the protagonists, something that further ensures that audience is in their journey together. Watch out for the scene where Ranveer talks about the 'mistake' and Anushka just smiles away. This has to be one of the most defining scenes enacted by Anushka in her three films so far. Equally, Ranveer is terrific in that scene in the climax where he confesses his love for Anushka without even once saying 'I Love You'. These are two individual scenes that would certainly make these youngsters proud.

This is not all that makes 'Band Baaja Baaraat' an endearing watch. The first thing that actually catches your attention is the way Delhi is captured in the film. Really, it is crystal clear that director Maneesh Sharma and writer Habib Faisal (who had also written and directed a delightful 'Do Dooni Chaar', again a film set in Delhi) know the city inside out. The roads, the lanes, the lingo and most importantly the dialogues - they are just extremely real.

One can see that a definite effort has gone into getting the ambience right and that is made possible by the team comprising of effective cinematography (Aseem Mishra), costumes (Niharika Singh) and choreography (Vaibhavi Merchant). Without this team along with composers Salim-Sulaiman, 'Band Baaja Baaraat' would just not have been what it is today.

Any blemishes? Well, in the second half one just wishes the duo to come together again soon but it just gets extended by around 10-15 minutes. Also, the song 'Dum Dum' is forced into the narrative and could easily have been done away with.

Nevertheless, in the bigger scheme of things one tends to shrug it all away because overall, 'Band Baaja Baaraat' entertains and how. One has to hand it over to the youngsters here - both Anushka and Ranveer - who are a powerhouse of talent. While Anushka announces loud and clear that she is a talent waiting to be tapped to the fullest, Ranveer is clearly the BEST debutant of 2010. His dialogue delivery, body language and overall attitude pretty much establish that he has it in him enjoy a very long innings in Bollywood.

What impresses from beginning till the end of this effort from debutant director Maneesh Sharma is the fact that never once does 'Band Baaja Baaraat' leave it's own character. It retains a certain authenticity to it throughout its length that makes the proceedings believable and the kind that one can easily relate to.

Go for it!

Rating: ***1/2