Billu Barber - Movie Review

Priyadarshan is synonymous with ha-ha-thons, but the talented storyteller has been equally proficient while handling intense dramas like SAZA-E-KALA PANI, GARDISH and VIRASAT. Like VIRASAT and MALAMAAL WEEKLY, BILLU, the accomplished director's new outing, is also set in a hamlet.

Although the story has been attempted in Malayalam [KADHA PARAYUMBOL] and Tamil [KUSELAN] earlier, the story actually takes its inspiration from the legendary friendship between Lord Krishna and Sudama. In this case, the story talks of the friendship between a superstar and an ordinary mortal who runs a salon.

BILLU is a simple story about simple people, told in the most simplistic manner. There's a generous dose of glamour as well, given the fact that the protagonist's friend happens to be a superstar, but what actually works for the film is the simpleton's story. He wages a daily battle to make ends meet.

Although the film is engaging, Priyadarshan reserves the best for the finale this time, when the superstar reminisces about his childhood friend and the deep bond that they shared. The end is remarkable and is sure to strike a chord with all sections of moviegoers.

Final word? BILLU is amongst Priyadarshan's finest works. And also Irrfan and SRK's. This tale of friendship is sure to steal your heart!

BILLU tells the story of a simple ordinary man, Bilas Rao Pardesi [Irrfan Khan], living in a small town with his wife Bindiya [Lara Dutta] and two kids. His life undergoes a drastic change as superstar Sahir Khan [Shah Rukh Khan] visits the village for a film shoot. Everything changes. Things go from good to bad to worse to good again.

Ten minutes into the film and you get absorbed into Billu's small world. The salon is in bad shape, the family is facing tough times, the neighbours and acquaintances are fair-weather friends... Billu's life gets grim with each passing day.

The story takes an interesting turn when Billu's life collides with the superstar's. And the assorted characters -- right from an aspiring poet/lyricist [Rajpal Yadav], to a stingy money lender [Om Puri], to the principal of the school [Rasika Joshi] -- everyone wants favours from Billu. These characters only make BILLU more interesting.

SRK's track is equally fascinating and only spices up the proceedings. In fact, Priyadarshan has amalgamated the three songs [featuring SRK with Deepika, Priyanka and Kareena] in the narrative smartly. Not once do you feel that you're watching two stories concurrently.

The best part of the enterprise is its climax. The superstar recalls his humble beginning and how his friend stood by him in times of crisis. The writing is brilliant and SRK only takes the scene to greater heights with his terrific portrayal.

Priyadarshan is adept at handling relationships and with BILLU, he proves he can handle emotions with as much flourish as comedy. To tell a simple, uncomplicated story, without the usual frills, is an arduous task indeed and Priyadarshan tackles the material with remarkable ease. The humour here is subtle, not loud, and a constant smile remains on your face all through.

Mushtaq Shiekh and Priyadarshan's screenplay is foolproof. In fact, the writing never loses focus and the highs and the lows in Billu's life are sensitively penned by the duo. Manisha Korde's dialogues are simple, gelling with the mood of the film.

Pritam's music is energetic. The songs, promoted aggressively prior to the release, only get an impetus thanks to the presence of the three actresses. 'Mar Jaani' and 'Love Mera Hit Hit' are, of course, the pick of the lot. V. Manikandan's cinematography is top notch. The locales [Pollachi] are breath-taking.

In the recent years, Irrfan has emerged as a force to reckon with, his performances have appealed to all strata of moviegoers and his work in BILLU will only cement his status as a remarkable actor. Shah Rukh Khan needs to be admired for two reasons. The show belongs to Irrfan, although SRK could've forced himself in every scene. Also, he has chosen to opt for a film that's not one of those run-of-the-mill types. In terms of performance, SRK shows his true potential towards the finale.

Lara Dutta springs a pleasant surprise. She goes through her part with complete understanding. Om Puri is excellent. Rasika Joshi is too good. Rajpal Yadav is really funny in the penultimate scene, when he recites a film song of an SRK film. Asrani and Manoj Joshi are passable.

On the whole, BILLU is a sweet-n-simple film that lingers in your memory even after the show has concluded. The final 20 minutes are the highpoint of the enterprise and that elevates the status of the film to great heights. The film has the potential to grow with a strong word of mouth. Recommended... Take your family for this one

B.O. update: 'Billu' starts slow, but actual test on Sat./Sun.

The much-awaited BILLU opened to a tepid response of 25% to 35% at various screens across the nation. However, the silver lining is that the film is enjoying positive reports and the next two days [Saturday and Sunday] will be crucial. Most exhibitors aren't surprised with the slow start, since it was evident from the promotion that the story revolves around Irrfan and that it wasn't the conventional SRK film, like OM SHANTI OM.

The other two releases, THE STONEMAN MURDERS and JUGAAD, have also opened with dull collections.

Billu premiere for barbers and hairstylists

In a move to appease the Hairdressers' Associations of Mumbai, Shah Rukh Khan is planning to invite various barbers and hairstylists for the premiere of "Billu", which was earlier titled "Billu Barber".

"As far as I know, Shah Rukh is planning a premiere for the various barbers and hairdressers' associations, so they'd see and know that the film doesn't ridicule them in any way. In fact, the film is a homage to the hair-cutting technique. I can't understand how there can be a protest about the film or its title without anyone seeing the film," Priyadarshan told IANS.

According to Priyadarshan, Shah Rukh is not inviting friends from the industry for the screening.

The film was earlier titled "Billu Barber", but when Hairdressers' Associations of Mumbai objected to the use of the word "barber" in the title, Shah Rukh, who is producing the film and making a guest appearance, decided to change it.

"I'm in Chennai. Shah Rukh Khan tells me all the posters hoarding with credits will blacken out the word 'barber'. If it was hurting anyone's sentiments, I'm okay by it," Priyadarshan said.

He wonders how the word 'barber' could be okay in other languages and not in Hindi.

"Does it mean half the Indian population is not put off by the title and the other half is upset about it? I don't understand the controversy. And I've left it entirely to Shah Rukh to deal with it."

The director has no plans of being in Mumbai for the release of "Billu". "I've done my best. And Irrfan Khan in the title role is the best homage that can be paid to any profession."

Priyan does wonder, and so do we, if we as a collective nation protest too much.

Irrfan Khan plays the title role and is paired with Lara Dutta in the film, which is releasing on Friday (Feb 13). Shah Rukh will make a guest appearance along with Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone.

Miss India Worldwide 2009 contestants watch 'Billu'

Priyadarshan's comedy "Billu", which features a large number of top-notch Bollywood actresses, saw bevy of Indian origin beauties from 25 countries at its premiere in Durban, South Africa.

The 25 young women have assembled here to vie for the Miss India Worldwide 2009 title at the Suncoast Entertainment resort on Saturday (Feb 14) night. And they were excited to take a break from rehearsals on Tuesday (Feb 10) evening to join local celebrities at the premiere of "Billu", hosted by young South African Indian cinema magnate Abie Moosa.

While Lara Dutta is cast opposite Irrfan, who plays the title role, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone feature with Shah Rukh Khan in three different item numbers in the comedy.

"It will be delightful to have a complement of such lovely Indian ladies from across the globe to complement the Indian beauties on the screen," Moosa told IANS.

In keeping with the traditions of the Miss India Worldwide Pageant, started by Dharmatma Saran of the US nearly two decades ago, the contestants have been engaged in a series of visits to local communities and welfare projects for several days now.

On Monday, they were shown the massive Hare Krishna Temple in the huge Indian township of Chatsworth, which has become a popular tourist attraction.

Many of them expressed surprise that there were so many Indians in South Africa, and even that they had been here for nearly 150 years. "It is also wonderful to see the huge cultural diversity in South Africa," said Miss India Australia, Kanchan Verma, a health professional.

Miss India Oman, geneticist Shruti Dilip, said she had watched an impressive Indian dance by "a pint-sized" Indian dancer when they visited historic Gandhian sites in Pietermaritzburg, where the young lawyer Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi started his path to becoming the Mahatma after being kicked off a train by a white conductor.

Miss India Singapore, Asmaa Pandit, a business development consultant, and Miss India India Deepthi Varughese said that Durban with its large Indian population felt "just like being in India".

This is the second consecutive year that South Africa is hosting the Miss India Worldwide Pageant after Shagun Sarabhai of India was crowned the winner in Lenasia, the huge Indian township south of Johannesburg, at a gala event last year. Sarabhai will hand over the crown to her successor on Valentine's Day as another former winner from India, Fareisa Joemmanbaks of Suriname, looks on.

Saran said that he definitely had a soft spot for South Africa: "I have been coming here since 1991, when South Africa was just beginning to regain its international stature ahead of the first democratic elections, and the local franchisee for the Miss India Worldwide Pageant, Farook Khan, started it off here."

Saran said from just 12 countries participating in the initial event, this has now more than doubled, and the high standard of entries was most gratifying as young women in the Diaspora gained the international recognition denied to so many of their forebears.

Billu is a brand new movie

The buzz is that Shah Rukh Khan's "Billu Barber", now renamed "Billu", is inspired by Malayalam hit "Katha Parayumbol" (2007), which was later made in Tamil as "Kuselan" (2008). But the film's writer denies any similarity between the movies.

"'Billu' is a completely different film," said Mushtaq Sheikh, co-writer of "Billu" along with director Priyadarshan.

"When you will see 'Billu', you will know what I mean. The screenplay of 'Billu' does not follow the route followed by the predecessors," said Sheikh, who was also the co-writer of Shah Rukh's blockbuster "Om Shanti Om".

While Mammootty played a superstar in "Katha Parayumbol", its Tamil version starred Rajnikant in the same role.

So has the screenplay of "Billu" been tweaked to make it more suitable for an all-India audience?

"One did not have to tweak it, one had to change it completely. I repeat - this film is a re-birth of 'Billu' (the character in the film). It's a brand new film with no connection with any other film," Sheikh told IANS.

Unlike "Katha Parayumbol", "Kuselan" had bombed in spite of Rajnikant's presence.

"How does that affect our film?" asks Sheikh. "There wasn't any doubt or fear in us when we were working on 'Billu'. 'Kuselan' working or not working was never going to hamper the flow of 'Billu'."

Sheikh added that he and Priyadarshan had sat down to give the film a new "touch and feel".

"This movie was made before and here we wanted to make a brand new film keeping the ingrained soul intact. Also, making a Hindi film is a totally different ball game than the ones that are made in the south. The people, the emotions, the landscape, the conflict - everything changes when we make Hindi movies. We knew it was never going to be easy," he makes a candid confession.

He is particularly ecstatic about the fact that with 'Billu', he could work with his real-life friend Shah Rukh yet again.

"For me Shah Rukh is like a beacon of light that guides me and inspires me. He is like family. He brings in a certain strength to my presence," he said fondly.

Featuring Lara Dutta in the lead with special appearances by Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone, "Billu" also stars Priyadarshan regulars like Asrani, Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav, Manoj Joshi and Rasika Joshi. With music by Pritam, "Billu" is all set to arrive on Feb 13.

Title of SRK's Billu Barber changed

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will undergo a shoulder surgery soon, but it is not slated for Valentine's Day.

"It is certainly not happening on Feb 14 because Shah Rukh will be in London on that day. The surgery would take place on a later date though that too is not yet fixed," says a source close to the actor.

Though Shah Rukh was advised to undergo the surgery some time ago, it has been postponed a few times already.

His shoulder was injured a long time ago but the condition aggravated on the sets of "Dulha Mil Gaya" in December.

He was suggested rest then, but he couldn't afford to do so since the Viveck Vaswani production had been delayed for about a year and Shah Rukh didn't want any more pain for his producer, sources said.

His condition was kept under control with physiotherapy sessions easing his pain for the time being. Later, he left for Los Angeles because of his prior commitment for Karan Johar's "My Name is Khan".

Adds the source: "For Shah Rukh, the last few months have been quite busy professionally. There was 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' promotion as well as the shoot of 'Dulha Mil Gaya'. Then he couldn't have backed out of 'My Name is Khan', which had anyways been pushed ahead by a few months."

"Moreover, he had to return to India for the publicity of 'Billu Barber', now titled just 'Billu'. Though doctors had suggested a surgery on an ASAP note, he didn't want 'Billu Barber' to suffer. So, even with a sling on, he went through the entire promotional campaign. It was painful but he is passionate about his films and kept smiling."

Since he didn't want to get under the knife before the release of 'Billu' on Feb 13, speculation was that the surgery would be immediately after the release, that is, on Valentine's Day.

However, Shah Rukh told a press conference: "The surgery is not happening on Valentine's Day. I would be in London then and the surgery would now be on a later date."

Apparently, he continues to be in some pain since he tore his tendons. He is able to move around with great difficulty but is trying to keep a brave face, especially since he is going all out for the promotion of "Billu".

The actor has earlier been operated upon for his back and his knees.

Meanwhile, the superstar has agreed to the request of some members of the profession who felt that the use of the word 'barber' was offensive to their community. Hence the film title has been changed.

"What's the harm in doing so when the community, on which the film is based, itself wants this change?" says Shah Rukh.

"I want it to be a happy situation for all and if a minor change to the title has to be made, then I don't see anything wrong in that."

Hairdressers have a problem with Billu Barber

The Salons and Beauty Parlours Association, which has 27000 members in Mumbai itself, has protested against the title of the film “Billu Barber”. They apparently want the title of the film to be changed to “Billu Hairdresser” as they feel the word 'barber' is derogatory.

Shah Rukh Khan meanwhile has tied up with over 400 beauty parlours across Mumbai and has sent them vinyl posters of the film and CDs as part of the promotional campaign.

However, the president of the association has said the word barber is a very insulting term as nowadays hairdressing is an art. He feels an art must be respected be it in any sector. He also said there are many women hairdressers, and imagine them being called barbers.

A special screening of the film has been promised for them and if there's anything objectionable in the film, the association can get it changed. But if it is not changed, the association has threatened to take to the streets to protest against the film.

SRK was shocked at the remarks and said the film is about love, friendship and relationships. He also said it is a very sweet and touching film and does not disrespect anyone.

Produced by SRK's wife Gauri, “Billu Barber” stars Shah Rukh, Irrfan Khan and Lara Dutta and is releasing on February 13, 2009.

‘I haven’t ever forgotten my marriage anniversary’

You are back on television once again but this time as producer.
Yeah...I started my acting career with serials like Circus and Fauji. I got to learn a lot of things. I got into films because of having worked in serials.

After Circus, you are once again working with Aziz Mirza on the television front.
Yes. Nothing would have been possible without Aziz Mirza’s expertise, advice, and guidance. I would have been nowhere without him.

What made you venture into TV when low TRPs have become the order of the day?
You need support and friends who think alike. We have been discussing this since last two-three years. There is risk for sure but NDTV Imagine was confident that we were competitive enough. I want the young people in my film production house Red Chillies to diversify into different arena.

What kind of programmes will your production house churn out?
There is nothing specific that we are planning for television. I have been a film producer for the last eight to nine years and have an acting experience of 20 years. I can bring a difference to television in terms of presentation of content. I will try to bring cinematic value to television.

Why did you choose title Ghar Ki Baat Hai for this sitcom?
It’s a good title. It has lyricism in it. We had another title called Devdas Ki Maut which was not so happening. The serial is about a family, their neighbours and different situations that they face in life thus its Ghar Ki Baat. If you ask me why comedy, personally I like comedy more than anything else.

Do you think this serial has your Ghar Ki Baat?
Well television industry doesn’t have that much money to have a set like my home. Jokes apart, it will have everybody’s ghar ki baat with lots of spice. Its first episode has Sumit Raghavan forgetting his anniversary. Interestingly, I haven’t forgotten my marriage anniversary yet. Even otherwise there are stories like these happening in my home too.

Will you be making a special appearance in the serial?
Yeah I will be making special appearance as and when required. We will try to rope in more special stars if required.

Exclusive: Billoo Barber Trailer