Banner: Yashraj Films
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Director: Aditya Chopra
Star Cast: Ranveer Singh, Vaani Kapoor, Elisa Bachir Bay, Julie Ordon, Arman Ralhan et al
Music Vishal Dadlani – Shekhar Ravjiani & Mickey McCleary
Befikre is an urban youth centric fun entertainer with a new age theme. The scion of Yashraj Films namely director Aditya Chopra is a name in itself to be reckoned with and certainly needs no special introduction. Having made his debut with
Dilwale Dulhaniyaa Le Jaayenge he has displayed his directorial prowess with many super hit films which have been a cause for a joyous celebretion in itself and now Aditya Chopra has returned after almost a decade long hiatus in the directorial arena with his latest albeit most daring & extremely bold offering namely Befikre which happens to be a quintessential take on the Gen X’s bold & beautiful take on their own views of the ups & downs of their bitter sweet love life. So Befikre is a story that celebrates being carefree (befikre) in love.
So Befikre is a story about a couple’s ups & downs and their ultimate realization of love. The scripted scenario of Befikre kick starts with a stereotyped break up scene between Dharam (Ranveer Singh) & Shyra (Vaani Kapoor) which ends up with Dharam calling Shyra a “slut”, which hurts her the most. This is followed by a flashback of events which mirrors their yesterday and connects it with their today. The flashback sees a young & carefree Dharam landing up in Paris at the behest of his friend, who gives him a job of a stand – up comedian in his night club. On one of the party – hopping spree, Dharam meets a tour guide Shyra, a French girl of Indian origin. A couple of casual encounters later, the strong minded Dharam & Shyra decide to have a live in relationship, vowing not to say “stupid” things like “I love you”, because it will put an end to their carefree lives. Even when they break up with each other, they even land up celebrating that as well. All is well till the time a smart & well educated Anya (Armaan Ralhan) enters Shyra’s life. After a few meetings & party hopping with Shyra, Anya proposes marriage to her. When Dharam gets to know about Shyra’s marriage, he shocks Shyra by announcing his marriage to a French girl named Christine. What happens after that, are a series of events that changes everyone’s equation with each other.
Director Aditya Chopra has perhaps moved out of his comfort zone and made a very interesting film as usual and that apart he has not left any stone unturned to make Befikre as entertaining as possible barring the smooch fest which the lively Gen X will surely lap it up like nobody’s business but it surely won’t go down well with the so called over the hills age group but who cares. As I saw the film 1st time as a hardcore critic but even I enjoyed seeing it the 2nd time with the multiplex cine goers and found the patrons of my age too, just letting their hair down and totally enjoying the proceedings on the Big Screen with a totally Carefree (Befikre) attitude. The only dark cloud in the otherwise silver, or is it gold lining, was that Befikre is a pure adaptation of a French film named Love Me If You Dare and please don’t bother for the literal Hindi translation of the French title. Just go and soak yourself in the funfilled movie Befikre. As once in a while one should leave one’s indianess behind and become carefree (Befikre). Besides a special well – deserved brownie point goes to director Aditya Chopra for making a film for today’s youth which can also be appreciated even by the traditional, and not the totally orthodox indians who are still stuck with their so called indian sensitivity. Besides once again full marks to director Aditya Chopra for extracting brilliant work both from his core team of technicians as well as the entire cast comprising of Indian as well as imported foriegn actors. All of whom who have made Befikre a coming – of – age, fast paced, entertaining film and one which has more to it than just the kisses, the dares & the frivolous one – night stands as the characterisations in the film are strong and the dares forms the highpoint of the film. A special mention must also be made of the soundtracks like “Nashe Di”, “Ude Dil Befikre” and French number Je t’aime” which are already a rage all over. That apart the film’s background score by Mikey McCleary helps the film’s proceedings in a big way. While the film’s cinematography by Kaname Onoyama is outstanding. The way in which he has shot the entire locales of Paris including the famous Eiffel Tower are extremely superlative & top – notch. In other words, Befikre even appears like a blatant promotional exercise of French Tourism. And last but not the least is the film’s editing by Namrata Rao which indeed is crisp & bang -on.
Performance wise It is an out & out Ranveer Singh film all the way from “The Start” till “The End”. The film rides majorly on his sturdy shoulders, who has time & again, reinvented himself with every passing film. In one word he is “Outstanding” and deserves a standing ovation especially for his perfect comic timing, energy & freshness that he brings to the screen which in turn is extremely infectious. Even his nano second – “brief” nude scene shows his most carefree (Befikra) attitude and one which was earlier pulled off by King Khan in Maya Memsaab & Nitin Mukesh in a Madhur Bhandarkar film. Next in line is Vaani Kapoor who exhibits her screen presence in Befikre with picture perfect élan & style. The on – screen chemistry between Ranveer Singh & Vaani Kapoor is excellently brilliant. And of course Armaan Ralhan, Julie Ordon as Christine & Elisa Bachir Bay as Nathalie are one more welcome addition to the rooster of Bollywood actors & actresses. Rest of the characters in the film are good in their own way and thereby help to carry the film forward.
Tail Piece: Befikre is an urban youth centric fun entertainer with a new age theme which will find more patronage with the youth. At the Box – Office turnstiles it will be loved & appreciated by the target audiences especially in Multiplexes while the single theatres especially in the interiors maybe slightly shaky.
