Movie Review: ‘Besharam’
It is safe to say that Ranbir Kapoor has the Kapoor magic touch at his fingertips when it comes to his film releases. Ever since he came onto the Bollywood scene in ��Saawariya�۪ (2007), Kapoor has released hit after hit with his latest film, before ��Besharam�۪, being ��Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani�۪ (2013) breaking box office records and enrapturing the audience with his easy charm and heartfelt talent. Therefore it is no surprise that ��Besharam�۪ had the same high hopes attached to it and the fact that the film also stars his real life parents Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor, only adds to the audience�۪s expectations. The soundtrack of the film had also generated some unexpected hits with ��Dil Ka Joh Haal Hai�۪ and the title track being favourites on the radiowaves. Ranbir Kapoor was also confirmed to be starring opposite newcomer Pallavi Sharda, fresh from the shores of Australia.
Babli (Ranbir Kapoor) is a car mechanic and car thief who has been raised in an orphanage and now sells off stolen cars to help with its up keep. His talent for stealing catches the eye of money launderer (Javed Jaaffery) who hires him to steal cars for him. Babli meets Tara Sharma (Pallavi Sharma) and falls in love with her who in return hates him on the spot. He unwittingly steals her car and once realising this, decides he is going to steal it right back to win over her affections. In a side plot are police officer couple Inspector Chulbul Chautala (Rishi Kapoor) and Inspector Bulbul Chautala (Neetu Kapoor) who are constantly bickering about their lack of children in their lives.
Ranbir Kapoor has been built up as the future superstar of Bollywood and he really has lived up to his name so far, but having seen ��Besharam�۪, you wonder why he chose this film. The storyline for this film is mediocre and lacks substance, leaving the audience feeling dissatisfied and wanting their money back. The plot is just so vague and it is almost trying too hard to be funny, using forced humour including one ridiculous scene with Rishi Kapoor in the toilet, need I say any more? Ranbir, despite his acting talents, struggles to bring the character of Babli to life, almost as though he has trouble believing in it himself. This role was written more for the likes of Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar and less so for him. Sharda is good as Tara but again her character is so one dimensional that it is hard to believe how she has a big impact on Babli. Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor, with their gravitas as legends, are good within their roles but again, their characters are dependent on stereotypes to give them any real meaning. There are no other characters which add any real meaning to the film as the storyline is so weak and unbelievable. The random mentions of ��Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge�۪ are vulgar and instead of coming across as funny, just leave the audience rather annoyed.
��Besharam�۪ did have high expectations but just does not deliver on its promise. Despite the curiosity appeal of Ranbir starring alongside his real life parents drawing in the audience, the film�۪s plot just makes the film one long and grating watch. Watch for Ranbir Kapoor trying something new but leave your brains at home.
��BizAsia Showbiz Rating: 2/5
