Barfi ! : Almost a Perfect Triangular Love Story

Hey Friends,

I'm back after sometime. The movie spree starts again. Today was Bharath Bandh, never expected theatres to be open. Thanks to Raghu and Meghna, the restless souls :), who made it for us. Finally we booked our tickets at Cinepolis, Bannerghatta Road and a 8.30 pm show.

Barfi !!!!

I'm really a little confused as to where do i start and where to end. Almost an hour after movie, when I'm writing this and still don't feel its over. In girls terms, Barfi is so cute.... All girls would want to take him home.

The movie begins with an old Barfi, falling off from his chair in a hospital in 2012. The movie then moves to Calcutta, to introduce an old looking Ileana; with photos of her with Barfi. Memoirs flow and back and forth to 1972 and 1978. Barfi's love for Ileana is just too good. Ileana falls for Barfi, but with the Indian mother's invasion and not so strong Ileana... Love fails.

Back in 1978 again Ileana finds Barfi in Calcutta and on her reporting of Jhilmil's missing case; Barfi  is caught. This is the scene that opens in Ileana s memoirs. Ileana is called Shruthi. All the telugu movie goers might remember, where was she called Shruthi... You got it right Pokiri, her all time big hit. For my Hindi friends, this is the original of the Salman starrer Wanted.

Barfi is arrested for Bank robbery and Kidnap of Jhilmil. You must have guessed by now. Jhilmil is PC. PC (Priyanka Chopra) as her usual, does not let you down in her role. Ileana waits in the Police Station and is taken back by her husband. According to police, they have two notes asking for different amounts of money and they have a complaint of a guy pushing Jhilmil into river after taking the demanded 1 lakh rupees.

Where did Jhilmil meet Barfi and other questions of what happens is the sweetest love story, arguably. Jhilmil, who is kidnapped by someone else is taken away by Barfi. Barfi leaves her back, but Jhilmil continues to follow. Have to quote this here, just can't stop laughing at the thought. This was after the movie, when a girl was searching/ rather following her guy. She went on yelling Barfi Barfi, to be shocked by the embarassed people around.

Barfi is with Jhilmil in Calcutta. Leading their lives their own ways, till barfi meets Shruthi. Barfi's character here is etched very beautifully. But, Jhilmil feels she is not the appropriate for Barfi and goes back to Muskaan ( Place for Autistic) and the plot for her fake murder and kidnap is followed from here.

Finally Barfi meets Jhilmil. Shruthi has come back to protect Barfi, leaving her husband in 1978. Barfi and Jhilmil marry. Shruthi starts teaching the deaf and dumb. Amazing movie. Feels i have watched another movie in the range of Sagara Sangamam, Swati mutyam ( Kamal Hasan) classics. Ranbir moves into a different league altogether as an actor.

Positives:
1. Amazing screen play.
2. All roles are played to perfection. Barfi, Jhilmil and Shruthi.
3. Nice debut for Ileana.
4. Anurag Basu's direction is Excellent. Not easy to hold an audience, with a movie for 3 hrs and as few dialogues for a max of 25 mins.
5. Pritam s music is commedable.

Negatives:
1. Not actually - Barfi learns to write and writes B - in reverse. The title could have been with an ulta ( reverse/ mirrored) B.

Rating: 4.95/5

I would tell, a movie not to be missed. Ranbir, you deserve a National Award this year. All the best.