Darling - Review
Yet another RGV offering hits the marquee this Friday -- DARLING -- but this one is no remake, although it does bring back memory of two films mainly, GHOST [which, in turn, inspired a slew of Bollywood movies] and Bhatts' RAAZ. Though dissimilar, flashes of BHOOT also cross your mind as you watch DARLING.
It's difficult to slot DARLING in any one category. It's eerie, it's humorous, it has the song-n-dance routine [well knitted in the plot], it doesn't belong to any particular genre. Actually, DARLING is a novel experience since Hindi films have rarely combined horror and comedy -- two diverse ingredients -- in one film. Trust RGV to think out of the box and fortunately, it works!
The eerie moments before the ghost appears don't make you break into a cold sweat, but they do make your heart beat faster. Similarly, there're ample moments in the narrative [Fardeen, Isha visiting the hospital to meet Zakir Hussain; also Isha wanting to make love to Fardeen on their anniversary and the ghost is watching it all] that are thoroughly interesting. The final scene, of course, is a brilliant stroke, with the viewer not being prepared for the turn of events.
In a nutshell, RGV can heave a sigh of relief this weekend. Last weekend was dark and depressing, this weekend should bring in sunshine for this maverick film-maker.
The going is good. Till his girlfriend shocks him with the news that she is pregnant. Aditya is cornered. He has to confess to her that he cannot leave his wife as he has been promising her all along. His girlfriend is devastated. She flies into a rage. A brutal fight ensues, in which she accidentally dies.
Terrified, Aditya disposes off her body and returns home, thinking that the worst is behind him. But he couldn't be more wrong. For the nightmare has only just begun. His wild girlfriend is back as a ghost…
The USP of DARLING is its unpredictability. Had it been an out-and-out horror flick, you'd have guessed the sequence of events sooner or later. Had it been the story of a man torn between two women, again, it wouldn't have taken much time to guess what's in store next. But RGV steers clear of predictable stuff from the start itself.
DARLING may not be amongst RGV's finest works, but it does rank among his better films. With a music company [T-Series] producing the flick, it ought to be embellished with a good score and at least two songs have already grown popular -- 'Tadap' and 'Aa Khushi se Khudkhushi Karle'. Amit Roy's cinematography is splendid yet again. The background score [Prasanna Shekar] is effective.
Fardeen Khan is a revelation. The actor catches you with complete surprise as he enacts a difficult role with panache. Esha Deol is excellent in a role that's nothing short of a challenge. It would've boomeranged had it been entrusted to any inferior actor, but Esha is in terrific form here. This should be the turning point in her career. Isha Koppikar doesn't have much to do in the first half, but more than makes her presence felt in the second hour.
Upendra Limaye is fantastic. And so is his colleague [a character called Malati]. Zakir Hussain is superb.
On the whole, DARLING is a well-made product that will find flavor with the multiplex audience mainly. Has the merits to grow with word of mouth!
Heyy Babyy - Review
Sajid Khan is known for his funny-n-witty repartees and in his first major project HEYY BABYY, he not only merges funny situations and emotional moments with aplomb, but also makes a compelling, wholesome film.
HEYY BABYY is not completely THREE MEN AND A BABY. Sure, you draw parallels since both THREE MEN AND A BABY and HEYY BABYY revolve around a trio of confirmed bachelors who unexpectedly discover the joys of fatherhood when a baby is left at their doorstep, but the similarities end there. In fact, the promos in this case don't open the cards completely. There's more to this film than masti-mazaak and the three men chasing girls of all shapes and sizes.
HEYY BABYY also works because the script is believable and the journey from Scene A to Z is well structured. Of course, there're minor aberrations, but the finale packs in a solid punch.
Sajid Khan is a skilled storyteller. Although he's known for impromptu, funny one-liners, it's the handling of the emotional moments in the enterprise that catches you by complete surprise. Note another aspect where a director makes all the difference: Akshay, Fardeen and Ritesh have been a part of comic capers in the past, but after having watched this trio in HEYY BABYY, not once do you feel that they're repeating themselves.
Three bachelors -- Aroush [Akshay Kumar], Tanmay [Ritesh Deshmukh] and Ali [Fardeen Khan] -- are having the time of their lives in Sydney. They flirt around, sleep around and have numerous 'gorgeous' conquests to their credit.
They suddenly find their dating and mating rituals irreparably destroyed when a dimpled little roommate lands up on their doorstep. Aroush, Tanmay and Ali know a thing or two about women, but when it comes to babies, they're total zeroes and this bouncing bundle of joy is anything but joyous. But then Angel works her charm and before long, the three lecherous bachelors have been transformed into loving, caring fathers.
But beautiful Esha [Vidya Balan] will have none of it. She has known heart break once and will do anything to avenge that betrayal. And if it means breaking the hearts of three men who've finally discovered they possess one, then too bad!
Sajid Khan wastes no time and comes to the point [the bachelors finding an abandoned baby at their doorstep] at the very start, immediately after their frivolous attitude is exposed in the title track. The sequences with the baby are entertaining, but it's the turning point -- when the baby gets critically ill and the guys realize their folly -- that's a master stroke from the writing and execution point of view. The viewer is in for another surprise at the interval point. It takes the story to another high altogether.
The writing [screenplay: Sajid Khan, Milap Zaveri] hits a high note in the first hour, but should've been as cohesive in the second hour as well. Yet, there are moments in this hour that you carry home. Dialogues [Milap Zaveri] are simple; they don't get flowery at any point. Cinematography [Himman Dhamija] is of superior quality. The stunning locales of Sydney look equally striking on screen.
Musically [Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy], it's a hit score. A mix of peppy and melodious numbers, the ones that stand out are the title track [with an array of actresses making fleeting appearances] and 'Mast Kalandar' [SRK rocks].
Akshay is in terrific form. This role offers him ample scope to go beyond the comic roles he specializes in. Sure, he makes you laugh, but he also makes you moist-eyed when he pines for his baby. One performance that should find a prominent place in his impressive repertoire.
Vidya Balan is superb. Not only does she look bewitching, but also enacts her part with amazing ease. A highly competent actress, she's got all it takes to reach the top slot. Boman Irani doesn't get much footage, but makes his presence felt in the introductory sequence mainly. The baby is simply adorable.
On the whole, HEYY BABYY is an entertainer that has something for everyone. At the box-office, it has the potential to rock big time. The fantastic opening of the film has only proved sone pe suhaaga… Grab a ticket today!
Darling movie- Preview
The going is good. Till his girlfriend shocks him with the news that she is pregnant. Aditya is cornered. He has to confess to her that he cannot leave his wife as he has been promising her all along. His girlfriend is devastated. She flies into a rage. A brutal fight ensues, in which she accidentally dies.
Terrified, Aditya disposes of her body and returns home, thinking that the worst is behind him. But he couldn’t be more wrong. For the nightmare has only just begun. His wild girlfriend is back as a ghost. And she will stop at nothing till she gets her revenge…
Watch the Trailer
Heyy Babyy - Preview
Akshay Kumar as Aroush
The confident, carefree 'man about town', who beds girls with abandon and then abandons them, But then one such causal encounter turns serious and he doesn’t know how to deal with the consequences.
Fardeen Khan as Al
Fardeen Khan is Ali popularly knows as Al. He loves to gamble. If his winning ratio with the girls is 100%, his losing ratio is equally good or bad, depending on which side he's betting on.
Riteish Deshmukh as Tanmay
Greatly in demand as Eddie Teddy, the party entertainer. He likes to play with the babes and the babies but that’s for work. He also loves to play with the babes and that’s strictly for pleasure.
Vidya Balan as Esha
She has no intentions of falling in love till she meets the man of her dreams. But the dream turns into a nightmare and she turns into an angry young woman thirsting for revenge.
The story
Three handsome Sydney bachelors Aroush Tanmay and Al - are having the time of their lives in Sydney. They flirt around, sleep around and have numerous 'gorgeous' conquests to their credit. Aroush's (Akshay Kumar) only grouse in life is that there are so many women. So little time since he's getting plenty of action in the nightclub where he works. If Tanmay (Riteish Deshmukh) has a blast playing Eddy Teddy at kiddy parties and playing around with the yummy mummies; then Ali - Al (Fardeen Khan) gambles for a living and grumbles that his biggest strength is his weakness for women!
But beautiful Esha (Vidya Balan) will have none of it. She’s known heart break once and will do anything to avenge that betrayal. And if it means breaking the hearts of three men who've finally discovered they possess one - then too bad!
Watch the Trailer