GARDENER SE FATHER [-IN-LAW] TAK
The resistance to compare present with past is very fragile and easy to overcome. Hence, while exploring latest Chopra venture “Babul”,I couldn’t help weighing it against its mind bending, soul touching “Baaghban”. The differences were valley wide and steep but similarities couldn’t be easily missed. What struck me and awed audience was the message toiled with in this multicultural ritual bound country. Social issues have always been core part of Bollywood movies to generate an awakening among largest viewed audience.B.R.Chopra and productions have been famous for their family oriented movies with a social cause for mass awakening to revolutionized world. “Babul” is no exception to this genre but with touch of modernization agreeable to eyes of all ages.
Ravi Chopra reunites the old team of Baaghban with special additions of latest actor Rani Mukherjee and hunky John Abraham. Cut to start of movie takes us back to commercial success debut of Salman “Maine Pyar Kiya” , the non competitive fun loved car race between father and son. The only variation being Buddy Daddy Balraj Kapoor(Amitabh Bacchan) being ready to cheat to win against his foreign returned macho vacho son no Buddy Avinash (Salman Khan).Though the father son pair looks good in here but not too blending with acceptance of audience. Exceptional impressive papa has a beautiful wife Shobhna(Hema Malini) who plays an momma overwhelmed by his son and always searching grandson with a cup of milk. Seems Dharamji has given lots of practice by hiding for his daily gallons of milk. As always during golf competition while cheating our buddy papa ends up with the painter gal Milli(Rani Mukherjee) that’s what loved ones call her, so we will too. BTW the real name is Malvika. And then the romance begins and soon ends in marriage with a cute fruit of their love. Oops forgot to mention meek presence of Rajat (John) who cares for his best friend Milli more than her parents and secretly loves her. Well coming to Kapoor s who have an elder bro Om Puri who feeds on 18th century rituals and beliefs who doesn’t t allow his widow sister in law(Sarika) to attend any happy occasion for fear of her evil shadow which according me doesn’t comply with her innocent beautiful face. All is happy in that lovesome five some Kapoors and at eleventh hour tragedy strikes………
Nahiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Avi is no more and color clothes are out white is in. That’s when the real hero arises from ashes not Salman but our Balraj Kapoor who decides to make his daughter in law s life cheery and colorful with our lost in film Rajat. But after all good deeds are not cakewalk. He faces path of thorns from his brother and family and others and guess what this time beauty wife is also against him. But, finally tackling all hindrances he is successful. Oh, reminds of something???????Yes, its quite similar to Prem Rog , remember R.K Banner with Rishi, Padmini and Nanda.
Summating, film first half was sweet filled that gave me toothache and earache from clichés. Second half had all melodrama, emotions and subject of film. The music by Adesh Srivastava was peppy though lacking melody except the title song and Saawariya song in which love making was very esthetically portrayed Hooraay Raviji.The star and only star of film was Amitabh whose chemistry with Hemaji wasn’t the sparking one as it was in Baaghban but with Rani it was great as in Black ,KANK.Rani was impressive
In her performance while Salman was quite a mark in film making his actoresque feel to audience. John was very disappointing and proving that family and melodrama is not his cup of tea. Hemaji was dull as if never existed in film. But the most joyful was to see Sarikaji igniting the cine screen even for 5 minutes. In all o good melodramatic, emotional drenched film for one time family viewing.