Cast: Ranveer Singh, Vaani Kapoor
Director: Aditya Chopra
Banner: Yash Raj Films
Aditya Chopra was best known for his unintended epic DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge) in 1995. He followed this up with Mohabbatain (2000) and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008). All three films were of the classic romance variety. However, this time he tries to cater to both his core audience the Moms and Dads of this world and at the same time reach out to post Y2K generation.
Befikre, as the name suggests, is all about two free spirited people Dharam Gulati (Ranveer Singh) and Shyra Gill (Vaani Kapoor). They meet in Paris (where else?) a city that is known for its romantic passion. They quickly lock lips and get in between the sheets for what is essentially a one night stand. Things heat up from there on however as they get “involved” with each other while jumping in and out of bed with others in the name of ‘Love’.
The funny thing is while they are doing this they still sing praises of the institution of marriage! I guess while Bollywood is changing and tackling more mature themes this is Aditya Chopra’s way of keeping a wide range of his audience happy.
The story line is no original, but the treatment in many ways is (for Bollywood, that is). In Befikre, Chopra skims the surface of the complicated relationships. It would have been very nice if he had fleshed his characters a bit more like they do in Hollywood with films of this genre.
Ranveer Singh (Dharam Gulati) as a typical ‘macho’ guy from Delhi’s heartland Karol Bagh is a fine example of the loud mouthed crass guy that would make you cringe in normal social settings. He carries the typical “Dilli-wala” role with aplomb. His energy levels are amazing.
Vaani Kapoor as the “Bindaas” free-spirited modern day lover does a pretty good job despite not having as much of the author’s backing as Ranveer. Vaani has the range and depth that is not fully exploited in Befikre. Hopefully, we see more of her in future.
The shadow of DDLJ looms on Befikre in it’s constant reference to DDLJ.The scene between Shyra and her mum feels like a refreshed and remixed version of Kajol’s scene with Farida Jalal in DDLJ.
On the music front, the background score by Mikey Mcleary is adequate. The hit duo Vishal-Shekhar composed the music for the film.
“Labon ka karobar” by Papon is okay to listen to, although one gets a vague feeling of “Kahin suna hai” (have heard it somewhere before).
"Nashe Si Chadh Gayi" by Arijit Singh is proving popular with the masses.
"Ude Dil Befikre" by Benny Dayal is a hotchpotch number with a mid-eastern feel to it. Just doesn’t gel with the running theme of the film.
"Khul ke Dulke” by Gippy Grewal and Harshdeep Kaur is a typically loud Punjabi number that cannot be distinguished from a million others of a similar kind.
"Je t'aime" by Vishal Dadlani and Sunidhi Chauhan has a light, fluffy French feel to it. Good to listen to, but not one you will remember.
Verdict: 3 stars.
The mounting of Befikre is quite lavish, the lead actors do a good job, the music is okay; yet there is something missing, the soul. Befikre is too much candy floss with little substance.
Rajesh Krishnamurthy is a Financial Wellness Coach, Columnist, and Film Critic. He can be contacted on 0210327466 or rajesh104@yahoo.com