Movie Review: ‘Bewakoofiyaan’
Sonam Kapoor and Ayushmann Khurrana come together for the first time in Yash Raj Films’ ‘Bewakoofiyaan’ which also stars Rishi Kapoor. Directed by Nupur Asthana, the movie – from the first promos – comes across as a romantic comedy in a realistic sense. The film promised to be a fresh and different story which would see a couple going through changes in their own lives which happen to reflect on their relationship. However, does it create a big impact as far as films the production house tend to do?
Mayera (Sonam) and Mohit (Khurrana) have been in a relationship for two years. Mayera works for a bank whereas Mohit is an executive for an airline. When Mohit gets a promotion, he decides it’s the right time to propose to Mayera. The next step is to meet her father, V K Sehgal (Rishi). Mohit doesn’t create the best impression and he is put on ‘probation’ by Mayera’s father. However, things become complicated when Mohit loses his job but Mayera doesn’t feel it right to tell her father. That’s when the bewakoofiyaan begins.
It has to be said that this is definitely a well-packaged YRF movie as right until the last detail, it is everything such a film should be. Asthana has put in a lot of effort to slot the characters into certain categories but it seems, in doing that, he has given way to the cliches in the movies which tend to let it down. That said, there is a careful thought given to not being too extravagant in the story, even not in expressions of love, and perhaps this is something that sets it apart from any other YRF movie. There are no particularly lovey-dovey locations but more a group of friends enjoying their youth and a couple who are very much in love until a parent comes in and changes things. The stereotypical feel is a huge let down, having said that.
Sonam and Khurrana are great in their respective roles, coming together to make a fresh pairing look good and give an other flat story some human treatment. Sonam is pretty natural as Mayera and plays an absolute contrast to what she played in her role in ‘Aisha’ (2010). Sonam plays the role of a girl who counts love as more important than money in her life brilliantly and with her forever fashionista appearance, this works really well. Khurrana, similarly, does well as Mohit as the guy who is constantly in a dilemma as to whether he should be being the best boyfriend he can be or whether he should concentrate on impressing his to-be father-in-law. Khurrana tends to play the torn characters pretty well and he may well be in fear of being typecast in such roles even though he brings them to the screen to believably. Rishi Kapoor is undoubtedly the star of the show in the film and why shouldn’t he be when news had emerged that the film had been written with him in mind. His irritatingly obsessed and protective father performance is probably the best things about the entire movie.
The soundtrack of the film, composed by Raghu Dixit, fits in perfectly with the movie. The only song that stands out, however, is Gulcharrey. The other songs, and perhaps the title track, may well disappear without a trace and that may include Gulcharrey. Sadly, this was a YRF ��film where the soundtrack didn’t help the film’s popularity or the buzz as such. Dixit’s transition into mainstream is a good thing for the industry but perhaps his forthcoming work will fair better.
Overall, it’s sad to say that ‘Bewakoofiyaan’ doesn’t tend to leave any lasting impressions. Ultimately, the film is ideally slotted into the chick flick genre and it will become the kind of film which is easily forgotten. With an extra spark of comedy and maybe a few more characters to bring an effective ensemble could have made the movie a little better than it ended up being. Aside from that, Sonam and Khurrana should be brought together once more as they are successful as a new jodi. It is definitely Rishi Kapoor who is the beacon of the movie – he shines brighter than the whole movie in its entirety and this is pretty disappointing for an audience that expects more from brand YRF.
BizAsia Showbiz Rating: 2.5/5
