Watching BILLU BARBER is like getting a hair cut done without 'tel maalish', meaning the movie seems very promising but strangely wilts towards the end.
But that doesn't mean you'd want to tear your hair out in frustration, like in DEV D, instead there's a feeling of a gaping hole in the bridge that connects you to the movie. Why does SRK have to talk about his old friend and weep at a school function?
First things first, BILLU BARBER is not a Shahrukh Khan film. The movie belongs to Irfan Khan alone, and he carries it's weight with ease. As the simple hairdresser Billu, Irfan's character is delightfully amiable. It's time Irfan got a fatter paycheck and moved to mainstream cinema for good.
BILLU BARBER is loosely inspired from the Rajnikanth superhit 'Kathanayakudu', which in turn was a remake of the Malayalam film 'Katha Parayumbol'. The Tamil remake deviated from the original, and BILLU BARBER too has incorporated a few interesting changes. Hairdresser Billu (Irfan Khan) lives with his wife (Lara Dutta) and kids in a charming little UP village. Money is scarce and customers are elusive, especially since a bigger, flashier barber shop has opened opposite his own. His kids have been suspended from school for not paying fees, and the principal won't give a hoot even if Billu begs her.
Just when things look bleak, up pops a rich movie producer announcing the arrival of the superstar of India, Sahil Khan (SRK) in the village. While the town goes mad with glee, Billu's face glows quietly, for Sahil Khan is none other than his childhood friend. His kids get to know of their friendship and word spreads like wildfire across the village. Everyone becomes extra nice to Billu, and they shower him with gifts, on the condition that he would help them meet Sahil Khan. Billu becomes helpless, not knowing how to tell them that his friend might not recognize him anymore. All hell breaks loose when the villagers suspect of foul play and lies. Were Billu and superstar Sahil Khan really friends? Or was he lying through his teeth? Watch the film to find out!
Shahrukh Khan basically plays himself in BILLU BARBER - the ultra popular, yet humble Demi-God of Bollywood. Although he never manages to reach the over the top persona Rajnikanth displayed in the original film. The brightly lit CGI laced fight scenes, the 'hey-look-at-me-I'm-a-star' shots never reach the intensity of Om Shanti Om. But given the smaller budget of BILLU BARBER when compared to other films, director Priyadarshan deserves credit for whipping out a glossy product.
The songs are unadulterated masala and the audience goes bonkers during 'Love mera hit hit' and 'Marjaani'. The former, especially is entertaining as Deepika Padukone for the first time displays ample amount of midriff. Although both Kareena and Deepika's dancing skills are questionable. Priyanka Chopra absolutely sizzles in 'You Get Me Rockin & Reeling'.
The cinematography is exquisite! DOP V. Manikandan's camera captures breathtaking shots of the painting-like village. You will lose yourselves in the misty hills and wish you'd bathed with Lara Dutta in the waterfall. Lara Dutta's dialogue delivery has improved greatly in BILLU BARBER, and she is quite convincing as Billu's loving, simple, star struck wife. Irfan Khan is excellent, his expressions in his scene with SRK is particularly brilliant. Shahrukh Khan is serviceable as the uber-Badshah Sahil Khan, although he underplays his character during the first half, and overplays it in the climax.
All in all, BILLU BARBER is timepass family fare. What could have been a super entertainer sadly slips into the average masala category due to the weak third act. 'The Stoneman Murders' is a better watch this weekend.
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