I know the word Barber has been dropped from the movie name but I couldn’t find a poster without it in Google Images. Moreover I did not see any insult of barbers in the name or movie. One more point before I review the movie point wise.
The story is supposed to be based in Budbuda village in Uttar Pradesh. And the movie opens with a scenery similar to this
On route to Vizag
And that is not U.P. Uttar Pradesh doesn’t have palm trees as far as I know. Google told me the movie has been filmed in Pollachi which is near Coimbatore. I think the director Priyadarshan needs to make the location of story as real as possible.Anyway, now for the review:-
# The story :- Bilas Rao Pardesi (Irrfan Khan) aka Billu is a barber in a remote village. He is poor but he has his head and heart at the right place. His family consists of his pretty wife (Lara Dutta) and two kids. On the other hand there is the superstar Sahir Khan who is rich and famous. Billu’s life takes a dramatic turn when Sahir Khan comes to his village for a film shoot because apparently Sahir Khan is Billu’s childhood friend. But is he really or is Billu bluffing?
I have not seen the original (Malayalam) and the remake (Tamil) so I cant compare the re-remake with those two. For the Hindi movie (not version) I can say the story is simple yet effective and well executed. It may be a disappointment for the masses who expect a masala movie from King Khan and Red Chillies Entertainment. Maybe that is why it is not doing good business.
# The actors :- Irrfan Khan has acted well as usual. I like his natural acting style. Lara Dutta also looks rustic enough and has acted fine but I feel a more earthy looking actress would have been better…someone like Vidya Balan maybe? Shahrukh Khan is pleasing and doesn’t go overboard in the climax scene unlike most of his movies. (I am a SRK fan but I just can’t bear his typical overacting and shaking head) Shahrukh Khan’s occasional digs at the film industry made his character more realistic. Rest of the actors have suited their roles well except the rival barber. Who is that guy? I have seen him in other movies and I detest him. Is he some famous South Indian actor? Maybe that’s why Priyadarshan has taken him in this movie. I would like a change of actors in Priyadarshan’s next movie. The cast kept reminding me of the movie Malamaal Weekly.
# The music :- The songs are well woven in the story but tend to be a bit long. The music is average, nothing memorable.
# The movie :- The suspense is well maintained till the end. The director has captured the frenzy of simple villagers about a movie star quite well. Overall the movie was good, emotionally touching and funny. Worth watching once without any expectations of the glitz and glamour offered by Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om; both movies from the same production house.
P.S. The movie even has a website http://www.billubarber.com/ Check it out for some fun stuff.
hmmm… will see it when they have it on the showcase of tatasky plus!! 🙂
Reema: Ok!!
I want to see the movie too… But, noone will go with me 😦
I wanna see Delhi 6 toooo!!! 😦
Reema: Oh! then watch it on DVD
Good review Reema. I have seen the Malayalam one and liked it.
That climax speech is the best part of the film.
“The cast kept reminding me of the movie Malamaal Weekly.”
Exactly. Priyadarshan has this problem of repeating a set of actors and also some of his cheap jokes. He also almost never gives credit to original story writers or makers and a reason why Malayalam film industry has banned him for a long time.
Heard that there is some crude joke which Om Puri says. I don’t know why Om Puri is reduced to playing such characters.
Reema: Thanks!! Yes there is a crude joke by Om Puri. I too wonder why does he do all these roles now?
I saw the movie last Saturday, and I really did not like it at all.
The songs were fine, but then after two its kinda repetitive. The comedy scenes also lose their flavour as I felt, the same kind of jokes were being said and the comic factor in the else normal dialogues were also losing their impact through the length of the movie.
Too much SRK ! And I am no fan of SRK 😦
Reema: Oops!! I did not find it all that bad.
I have been getting bad reviews from my colleagues. Dev too posted a v high rating. Yo, too say its good. I am confused. 😦
Reema: Its worth watching once!
I would recommend this movie too. Its a simple story and the climax is awesome. I was scared if Priyan would spoil the original version like how he does usually. But he has been faithful to an extent; those item numbers are still uncalled for. You are right about Lara, they shouldve chose another actress and even her make up and costumes couldve been realistic. SRK, after a long time has ‘acted’ 😀
The guy who acted as the rival barber is Jagadeesh, a famous mallu character/comedy actor. He acted as the servant at Paresh Rawals home in Hungama, remember??? Incidentally, he did the same role in the malayalam original too.
@ Poonam : Go for it. I am sure you would love Irfan and the climax scene.
Reema: Oye!! SRK has acted in Chak De too! Do u like Jagadeesh??
will surely skip this movie..
still so many on ‘to watch’ list!
and srk, no overacting?! 😀
songs from this movie itself shows how much over he has done 😛
Reema: Songs require dancing not acting!! Trust me he has not overacted!
the original Malayalam movie, was a huge success here … let us see how the Hindi remake performs with Priyan touch 😀
Reema: The movie doesnt seem to do well!
I intentionally skipped this one..
Vidya Balan? Pls yaar Lara ko rehne do, she looks convincing enough, if not then Divya Dutta but pls no Vidya.. .She is the most overrated one..
Reema: Why did you skip this one? Ok Divya hi sahi!
all my friends are saying it’s a very ordinary film, so i think i’ll give it a miss. thanks for the review
Reema: I enjoyed it!
I have a list of movies that I still need to ssee….SIgh!!!!!! Lord…give me some spare time to doooo allll of that…!!
Reema: Thathastu!
** plus SRK – The star.
Reema: Yup!!
Good review Reema!
I’ve seen its “mallu” version and had liked it. It’s released in Kochi so would try to see it on Saturday. Hope to get the ticket.
Keep Blogging!
Reema: Thanks!!
Cool review. I have already watched the Tamil version. So I will watch this one on DVD.
Reema: Thanks! Do tell me the comparison between the two versions.
I really liked this movie a lot! My internet connection connection was off at the time so didn’t do a review. In fact I missed all of you during that time! It’s going to take a while to visit all my blog friends!
Reema: Heyy welcome back!! I missed u too!
hmm …
this movie came in tamil and malayalam too before ..
there it was a hit i suppose. .
anyway i am not planning to watch this or any onther movie 🙂
Reema: No movies??? Already a rat in the rat race??
see ya later Reema, i gotta go catch up with Billu in the evening 😀
Reema: Oh do let me know ur view.
My vote for Billu too. Liked the movie. Irfan, Lara, kids & SRK.
Reema: It was a good movie!
Nice Review….I need 10 days off to see all the movies I have missed…!!
Reema: Thanks!!
Haven;t seen any movies in recent times.. Good review..
Reema: Thanks!
can this image pleased be used for a video to be put onto youtube, if this is used then i will definately keep the name of the website on youtube
No it may not.
its a nice watchable movie…and climax part is the one in the film
yes it was.