3 Stars. Bachna Ae Haseeno (Girls Beware). Directed by Siddharth Raj Anand. With Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Bipasha Basu, Minissha Lamba. At Nu Metro, Canal Walk. Mehboob Bawa reviews.
Director Siddharth Raj Anand continues his winning ways, after the successful Salaam Namaste and Ta Ra Rum Pum, with this enjoyable love story.
The film’s title is inspired by the hit song from the 1970’s film Hum Kissise Kum Nahin. It was composed by the late R. D. Burman, one of India’s top music directors, whose work is interspersed liberally in this films soundtrack. Vishal and Shekhar, the music composers of Bachna Ae Haseeno have produced a wonderful score and the title track uses elements of the original song merged with their own work. You’ll be singing it long after you’ve left the cinema. Coincidentally, the 1970’s hit featured the actor Rishi Kapoor, while the current film stars his son, Ranbir.
Anand is one of Indian cinema’s rising stars. What sets him apart from many of his colleagues is his attention to script details. In fact, the backbone of Bachna Ae Haseeno is Devika Bhagat’s well written screenplay. The story might be considered too modernistic by conservative audiences weaned on traditional Bollywood melodramas. But Anand has never shied away from realistic stories depicting the lifestyles of modern day youth in India. Sex before marriage and live in lovers, subjects still considered taboo in India, are just some of the story strands explored in this film. But Anand tackles the themes responsibly and in an engaging fashion.
If you’ve ever had your heart broken or broken someone’s heart, then you’ll identify with the characters in this film. The story traces eleven years and three important relationships in the life of Raj Singh. He starts off as a Casanova bent on having casual relationships. But has a change of heart when he finally falls in love. He realises that he has been fickle regarding matters of the heart and sets out to make amends.
Ranbir produced an effortless performance in his debut Saawariya and follows it up with another confident one. Deepika Padukone, his real life lover, is a treat to watch. She too offers an assured performance after her charismatic debut in Om Shanti Om. The real life lovers share great on screen chemistry. While Bipasha Basu’s sex appeal is a major reason for her success, she has matured into a talented actress and is flawless here. Minissha Lamba is also good and her scenes with Ranbir are a delightful reminder of a much-loved Bollywood film.
Sunil Patel’s cinematography in various locations including Switzerland, Italy, Australia and India is picture postcard perfect. The images are so enticing; you’ll certainly be putting these places on your next holiday list. The film’s second half would benefit from tighter editing. One song could have been left out completely.
But overall, Anand has made an entertaining romantic drama that offers lots to enjoy and some food for thought as well.
Director Siddharth Raj Anand continues his winning ways, after the successful Salaam Namaste and Ta Ra Rum Pum, with this enjoyable love story.
The film’s title is inspired by the hit song from the 1970’s film Hum Kissise Kum Nahin. It was composed by the late R. D. Burman, one of India’s top music directors, whose work is interspersed liberally in this films soundtrack. Vishal and Shekhar, the music composers of Bachna Ae Haseeno have produced a wonderful score and the title track uses elements of the original song merged with their own work. You’ll be singing it long after you’ve left the cinema. Coincidentally, the 1970’s hit featured the actor Rishi Kapoor, while the current film stars his son, Ranbir.
Anand is one of Indian cinema’s rising stars. What sets him apart from many of his colleagues is his attention to script details. In fact, the backbone of Bachna Ae Haseeno is Devika Bhagat’s well written screenplay. The story might be considered too modernistic by conservative audiences weaned on traditional Bollywood melodramas. But Anand has never shied away from realistic stories depicting the lifestyles of modern day youth in India. Sex before marriage and live in lovers, subjects still considered taboo in India, are just some of the story strands explored in this film. But Anand tackles the themes responsibly and in an engaging fashion.
If you’ve ever had your heart broken or broken someone’s heart, then you’ll identify with the characters in this film. The story traces eleven years and three important relationships in the life of Raj Singh. He starts off as a Casanova bent on having casual relationships. But has a change of heart when he finally falls in love. He realises that he has been fickle regarding matters of the heart and sets out to make amends.
Ranbir produced an effortless performance in his debut Saawariya and follows it up with another confident one. Deepika Padukone, his real life lover, is a treat to watch. She too offers an assured performance after her charismatic debut in Om Shanti Om. The real life lovers share great on screen chemistry. While Bipasha Basu’s sex appeal is a major reason for her success, she has matured into a talented actress and is flawless here. Minissha Lamba is also good and her scenes with Ranbir are a delightful reminder of a much-loved Bollywood film.
Sunil Patel’s cinematography in various locations including Switzerland, Italy, Australia and India is picture postcard perfect. The images are so enticing; you’ll certainly be putting these places on your next holiday list. The film’s second half would benefit from tighter editing. One song could have been left out completely.
But overall, Anand has made an entertaining romantic drama that offers lots to enjoy and some food for thought as well.
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