Tears for fears. Anyone. I am a sucker for sob stories and love to let the stream of emotions glide through the eyes. But while watching `Babul' each time that urge welled up, the effect was diluted by the simplistic superficiality of the treatment meted out to a noble subject. The end result of Ravi Chopra's efforts to highlight widow remarriage is an exercise in blatant surrogate advertising (Audi, Taj Mahal tea, Nerolac Paints, Kotak Insurance etc etc) and tons of sermonizing. If it wouldn't have been for the caramel-popcorn-romance generated by Salman Khan, `Babul' may well have been a disaster. A few goose-pimple-evoking songs are charming reasons to stay back too.
Avi (Salman Khan), the
The story doesn't surprise you at any point of time. Endless procrastination to let the star value of Salman get maximum mileage results in a delayed start of the actual story in the beginning of the second half. Cinematic liberty is fine. But blatant compromises make it a shaky ride (Too much and too many advertising products sharing space with the flow of the film). The confessions of love and forgiveness happen in Harry Potter mansions with eerie candles burning freezingly. If Dad Kapoor had to think up a match for widowed Mili, why only the rockstar Rajath who seemed to be having a good time anyway with a bevy of scantily clad starlets belting out songs of passion.
The reason why Sooraj Barjatya's `Vivah' strikes a chord is due to innate conviction of the director in the aesthetics of simplicity, piousness and family values. But in `Babul' in spite of the family theme, the director clearly wants to woo the younger audience by displaying ample skin show by showcasing shimmering blonde babes at several occasions. To his credit, I would also like to state that the physical intimacy between Salman and Rani in the delightfully earthy song `Bawri Piya' has been presented exceptionally well. The couple seems to be made for each other and their union is a forgone conclusion.
Music by Aadesh Shrivastava is one of the highlights of `Babul'. Semi classical ode to romance `Bawri Piya', `Har Manzar' and `Bebasi Dard Ka Alam' (Breathtakingly choreographed and John looking divine) are wonderful numbers. `Kehta Hai Babul' (sung and composed by Amitabh Bachchan) is a fantastic song too. But at the same time, average songs like `Vaada Raha' and `Gaa Re Mann' slow down the proceedings.
Amongst the actors, it is Salman Khan who deserves all the accolades. This superstar- actor is aging beautifully. He has worn the best clothes, humour is seldom over the top, looks relaxed and the loving manner in which he romances Rani makes young girls go weak in their knees. Effortlessly. The cosy interactions with his four year old son are really cute. No complaints about his acting either.
Rani Mukherjee is dependable as usual to carry off the complex role of a woman who is struck by the onslaught of ravages of life. But this is not Rani at her best. Moreover, she desperately needs a makeover and a better dress designer. That full-sleeves multi coloured blouse and garish sari in `Gaa Re Mann' numbe
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