Barfi! ~ Bollywood's Ranbirthmark

The 2012 September release 'Barfi!' directed by Anurag Basu starring Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Ileana D' Cruz clearly limns the difference between reading a story and watching a movie, by incredibly executing an ordinary story into an extraordinary final output.

The film revolves around the life of a deaf and mute, mirthful character Barfi and his way of living.

Proving a point : Ranbir Kapoor 

Barfi has a resplendent blend of entertainment, class and panache. The movie is also an amalgam of stupefying camerawork, top-drawer acting with awe-inspiring direction. 

#Anurag Basu

Anurag Basu has produced a masterpiece in Barfi. His story was nothing more than a ho-hum cliche, but in this occasion, he over-compensates it by his first-class direction. The narration was non-linear - flashing back   flashbacks and cooking out grandeur, weaving them all in a fresh string together, Anurag has proved that he is a hotshot. He made sure he gets his audience glued to the seats, he made a successful 'talaash' (meaning a quest) in unveiling the child from everybody's hearts. He used innocence and light-heartedness as his trump card in penning one of the biggest successes Bollywood has ever seen. Even the regular melodrama-element in the movie was presented in a novel way. 'I just saw #barfi...i have never felt more limited,inferior and talentless...anurag basu is the god of all filmakers...his genius is barfi!!' Karan Johar couldn't have showered more praise on Basu. He can be proud about his evergreen brainchild !

#Ravi Varman

Ravi Varman's camera has provided a touch of elegance to the movie. The Anniyan cameraman produced his career-best finally. It did not happen in Dasavatharam, it did not happen in the Amitabh-Mohanlal starrer big-budget Kandahar and it did not happen in Allu Arjun's Badrinath too. The long wait for a photographer's dream finally blossomed for this God-gifted cinematographer in Barfi. The picturesque locations of Darjeeling was a perfect icing on the cake. Each frame was a painting, if one had to use a metaphor. 

#Priyanka Chopra

The actress proved yet again after Fashion that she is not just about glam and sham. The role of an autistic girl was a safe bet in her hands. She handled the role with so much of subtlety, fluency and lucidity. Priyanka's rise to the occasion may just be an eye-opener for a coterie of actresses in the industry. 'Priyanka Chopra' comes when the credits page is rolled - apart from that, it was all about Jhilmill. She never acted but behaved to situations, which was a treat to watch.

#Ileana

Ileana gets a dream bollywood debut through Barfi. She could not have hoped for a role with more substance into it. The dazzling yet confident looks and vast past experience made her job well-heeled. One also tends to wonder if this was the best character with respect to acting scopes in her illustrious career - the role of an altruistic lover cum confused wife. 

Bold and beautiful : Ileana D' Cruz

#Ranbir Kapoor

Barfi! is the best of Anurag Basu, the best of Ravi Varman, the best of Priyanka and Ileana. But Barfi was a revelation. A revelation of an actor. Ranbir Kapoor does to his character what an actor could possibly have done to a character - cent percent commitment and life. The grandson of Raj Kapoor and son of Rishi Kapoor, Ranbir evinces loyalty to the Kapoor tag to his name. Ranbir, through his performance also brings light to the fact that being a star and being an actor are on two entirely different poles. He promises to be the next big thing in the industry? No, he has already become one. The silently emoting Barfi, has silently taken Ranbir to the peak he deserves to be in. Though the character had striking resemblance of the Charlie Chaplinean style, Ranbir made sure he gives it an unparalleled chassis, a unique outfit. It has to be waited and seen whether this gifted actor can stand the test of time. But time proves, time and again, that there will be a Tom Hanks and there will be a Forrest Gump, and there will be a Ranbir Kapoor - there ought to be a Barfi. Bringing Forrest Gump into the picture, though these two characters have nothing in common, Ranbir offers no less justice to his character than what Tom Hanks offered to Gump.    

#Pritam

Pritam tells you through Barfi why the industry needs him and hence, why he is going to stay here for much more time to come. The background music of the movie is brilliant and gives life to each shot taken. The western-based music tracks made the movie splendidly rich. A right choice made by the director.

#Nutshell


Overall, Barfi is an oasis of class in the desert of mainstream movies. It will keep your eyes, cheek-muscles and heart busy simultaneously throughout. It might leave you tear-eyed, but it will leave you contented. Barfi can be best enjoyed in quality theatres and hence it is highly recommended of immediate viewing. Barfis don't happen every day!