EYE ON BOLLYWOOD

Billu Barber, 2009, 138 min, Red Chillies Entertainment

Priyadarshan’s film produced by Gauri Khan, Billu is the story of a small-town humble barber, from a sleepy village who is having a tough time making ends meet with overdue electricity bills and unpaid school tuition when a film star enters his life for a shoot. Interestingly, the larger-than-life star arrives to town, sending the village into frenzy as they try to catch the glimpse of Sahir Khan, played by non-other than Shahrukh Khan. Billu’s poverty-stricken life is contrasted beautifully against the mega star until the face off of these two characters when they finally meet. This is a movie about unconditional childhood friendship, cutting through age, status or fame and transcending time and place. At the end, childhood love and friendship heals any wound and bonds broken relationships.

What really makes the movie is the character Billu Bilas himself, played by Irrfan Khan, surely one of the most talented but underrated actor in Bollywood today.  Some of you may remember him from Mira Nair’s film Namesake in which he gave superb performances as Gogol’s father as well as the mean police inspector in Danny Boyle‘s Slumdog Millionaire. He is the emotional core of this movie. The film starts with his desperate and innocent attempt to bribe a government officer in order to get a business loan for his barber shop. While listening to his plea, you can’t help it but feel for him. Apparently, it is believed that this role was first offered to Ashkay Kumar. I can’t imagine Ashkay playing this role. Irrfan brings a certain human dignity and respect not only to the character Billu and the profession but also the life of poverty, convening so much by saying very little.  He manages to make his character extremely believable and likable with ease. That is true acting.

A surprising and refreshing character is Bindiya, Billu’s wife played by Lara Dutta. She should be commended for delivering a captivating and believable performance; you would not know she is a former Miss Universe.  This is a different role for her; she usually plays the sophisticated beauty.  I might add it is refreshing to see her in a different role.   The director took a risk of this one because it is hard for an audience to see her as the character rather than the model or actress.  Nonetheless, Lara did an amazing job.  At least when I saw the movie, I did not see a model but a loving wife.  The stage presence of both Lara and Irrfan is impressive as husband and wife.  Lara gives her character the strength with moments of depth, love and respect which I find very inspiring.

What makes this film great is its real depiction of rural life in India, unlike other Bollywood movies, with no pretension or smug (see pictures on facebook).  The cinematography of this movie is amazing, showcasing the lush of rural India. The simplicity of the film, portrayal of poverty without overwhelming the audience makes this film a delight to watch. I liked the clever way the director unfolds the story.  He first invites you in, but leaves you to your own considerations as the story progresses. This film lets certain details out when the moments are right, but not before the audience is fully involved in the somber life of small-town man. You even get the feeling that Billu is lying until the heartwarming climax.  The film Billu is deeply touching not only in details of an ordinary man’s life, but also his shortcomings and insecurities.  The director also makes us realize what seems to be trivial at any given moment in life could be important later on.

Besides all this, great acting, thoughtfulness, genuine sincerity, and total emotional honesty are what one can expect from “Billu” without the loss of a typical grandiose of Bollywood musicals. If you want to see a movie that affirms the meaning of friendship, this is it. “Billu” reminds us to celebrate the extraordinary people in our ordinary town.

Favorite Scene: My favorite scene is Mr. Chaubey’s die-hard acting out his small role as inspector so desperately and disastrously. Truly priceless!  I will try to find the footage.  Let me know if you find a clip.

Memorable Scene: The climactic scene at the end of the movie revealing the truth about Billu and Sahir leaving you speechless and misty eyed. Award worthy, I hope Filmfare award (equivalent of US Oscars or UK BAFTA) will recognize Irrfan Khan for his stellar performance.  Check out the trailer below (although I can’t imagine why Eros or Red Chillies does not have the English subtitled version of the commercial).  If you a see video floating online, please alert me so that can post it for those Hindi-impaired fans.

Soundtrack: While it may not have been woven tightly with the storyline, the music track nevertheless will uplift any viewer.  Juxtapose against a great a small town man’s life is the lifestyle of the rich and famous, mainly depicted in the songs beginning with AeAaO which marks the arrival of Khan to town.  Of course the flamboyant Khan with spectacular sets, slick costumes and the sexiest women in Bollywood- Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor – makes the movie worth your money. What happens folks when your wife produces the movie and your best friend choreographs your dance moves? You bet your bottom dollars that you will look smashing.  See this movie on a big screen in a theater.  The impact of cinematography and dance scene is amazing and seductive.  But, if you have missed it, here is my recommendation.  Get your friends together, set up the projector, grab your favorite wine and get ready for a three-hour seductive journey.  Be sure to have your popcorn ready for this one.  I prefer cheese and crackers myself.  You will not be disappointed; both Irrfan and Shahrukh Khan along with four most beautiful women in Bollywood will leave you speechless.

The title song Billoo Bhayankar was actually touching and somewhat reflects Billu’s state of confusion with the arrival of Sahir Khan to town.   Khudaya Khair, my favorite, is melodic and sweet with acoustic guitar that soothes your soul like honey in milk. It is nostalgic and the scene is beautiful and memorable. The remix version of Khudaya Khair, You Get Me Rockin & Reeling, is more hip-hop befitting to Priyanka Chopra.

The item song for the film with 20-year old model Deepeka Padukone,  Love Mera Hit Hit has a fabulous beat.  There are three versions of this song: original, hip hop and house mix versions. Be sure to download the song of your choice the next time you have a house party. The beat is great and the dance is awesome.  The lyric is simple and sweet.  “Give me a place in your heart”, he says to her.  Both Shahrukh Khan and Deepeka seem to be enjoying themselves and it does show in their performance.

I also liked the spectacular and colorful costume and choreography of the song Marjaani with Bollywood version of Paris Hilton, Kareena Kapoor.   Kareena in this song looks fantastic and her smile is captivating.  Her screen presence holds this song. If you get a chance, see the film in the cinema theater for best visual effect.  This is a fast-paced track full of vision, color and awesome beat. This is a must list for your playlist. I believe there are several versions of this song as well both House and Elextro House version.  While I admit the visual is more stimulating than the lyric, I definitely will have this item song on my ipod while cycling.  Here is the origianl version with English Subtitle.

Overall, I did love the track.  The lyrics of the songs are wonderful, especially those in Hindi.

Here are all videos from Billu for your pleasure, including subtitled music tracks, making of the film and director’s comment.  If you are on you tube, visit the channel  IsisBollywood and choose playlist “Billu”.

Wardrobe and Costume. What is most interesting in this film aside from storyline and cast is the costume.  Cast Designer is none other than Manish Malhotra along with Neeta Lulla, Naresh Malhotra, Vogue India fashion director Anaita Shroff Adajania and V Sai Babu. Of course Manish Malhotra needs no introduction; he is not only one of the leading designers in Bollywood industry but also main designer for most of Shahrukh Khan’s movies.  Just about every Shahrukh Khan’s costume in every movie is either designed by Manish or influenced by him. He has won numerous awards particularly in the last 10 years. What I like to know is what happened to all the costumes created for Shahrukh Khan in this movie along with his dancing partners? Does anybody know what they do with the costumes?  The next time I visit India or Dubai, I will make sure to stop by Malhotra’s shop and ask this very question for those inquiring minds who want to know.

I don’t know about you but Khan’s wardrobe suddenly has a touch of Latin/Caribbean flavor and seem more accessible than before, maybe not in terms of cost, but in the fact you could actually wear this stuff and feel like a star (without parading like a peacock on a Bentley with a dozen secret servicemen).   The problem is I don’t know where to look for this stuff.  So, I created a facebook page in order to share with global fans about Khan’s clothing, accessories and gadgets from Billu.  Log on to facebook “Eye on Bollywood” page and check out Name that Wear album and let us know where to look for it.   Please give your comments on the wear including the brand, the designer who created it, the company responsible for the manufacturing, the retail outlet that carries the item and if possible let us know if there is a replica being sold in the market.

Overall, the film is entertaining leaving you in good spirit.  My suggestion is see it on a big screen. You will feel the impact of the cinematography of the music videos.  Share your thoughts.

Official site:  http://billu.redchillies.com/home.html although I have to say, there is no subtitled version in any of the five promos.  I am baffled as to why Red Chillies (or Eros) did not bother to have subtitles since the web attracts international audience.  Go figure!  But I found one so go enjoy!