Baabul

Article Updated 12 December, 2006 01:32:39 AM IST

Baabul

This film will work with the family audience, especially the middle class, and the small town audience, in a big way! Now to call it a progressive film just because the father-in-law wants to get his daughter-in-law married is utter nonsense!

Let's begin with the story. Balraj Kapoor (Amitabh Bachchan) is a rich businessman with a progressive and modern outlook towards life. Shobhna (Hema Malini) is his lovable and adorable wife (ditto like 'Baghban'). The two dote on their only child, Avinash (Salman Khan).

For Balraj, Avinash is more a buddy than a son. After seven years in the U.S., Avinash returns home, adding to his parents cup of joy. He meets Millie (Rani Mukerji), a painter, and is smitten by her. (No offence to Rani but she looks more the girl-next-door who would grow on a man, not make him fall for her at first sight.) Anyway, the two fall in love and get married. They are blessed with a cute kid, Ansh.

Rajat (John Abraham), a young musician and Millie's childhood friend, loves her but never reveals it to her. He is now happy for Millie and Avi. After her marriage, he migrates to Europe and pursues his musical career. He's completely out of touch with her.

Avinash and Millie are in a blissful world but fate intervenes. Avinash dies in a fatal accident. The family is shattered. Balraj cannot bear to see Millie sad. He traces out Rajat and asks him to marry Millie and make her happy again. Shobhna is opposed to the idea for fear of losing Ansh. Balwant (Om Puri), Balraj's elder brother, objects to the marriage.

Although the sensitive subject of widow remarriage has been tackled very skillfully, there is one question that's bound to come up in the viewers' minds. Is marriage the only way of finding happiness for a widow?

One would have understood Balraj's eagerness to get Millie married to Rajat if she'd fallen in love with him. But why force it on her when she claims that he's just a good friend. Why couldn't he encourage her to take up her painting again or maybe even study? So this entire marriage issue looks very forced.

Now for the other flaws in the film. Salman's death in a car accident too does not look convincing. Nothing much is happening in the first half of the film except for Salman's romance with Rani and establishing the father-son bond. But at least the first half is peppy.

The second half of the film drags. A couple of songs could have been easily edited out of the film besides a few scenes too. Most of the dialogues are very preachy. Please give us a break!

Now for the songs. 'Come On Come On Chalo Jashn Manaye' is a peppy, catchy number. 'Baawri Piya Ki' is soothing. The cinematography gives the film a visually rich look.

Performances- 'Baabul' rests on the shoulders of two actors; Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerji. Both are in superb form! Rani takes the film to a different height altogether.

Hema Malini looks gorgeous but doesn't have much to do.

Salman is natural and provides ample light moments but his cute and dude act is getting too repetitive now, especially coming close on the heels of 'Jaan-e-Mann'. So in that way, John is like a breath of fresh air. But he looks tired in a few scenes. He does a decent job otherwise.

Om Puri fits into the loud Punjabi mould. The rest of the cast is okay.

On the whole, 'Baabul' will work because of the emotions, the cast, and performances.

*** (Three Stars)

*poor; **average; ***good; ****very good; *****excellent

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