Band Baaja Baaraat review : "Interesting theme but lacks punch!!!"

Yash Raj films is synonym in Indian film industry for churning out lavish, larger than life sets & inevitably they have been tasting success time & again. However, since the last few years their success rate has taken a beating; which has forced them to think out of the box. As a result of that they have been trying out movies with interesting scripts rather than the usual run of the mill. "Band Baaja Baaraat" by debutant Maneesh Sharma seems to be one such movie & now it remains to be seen whether the audience accepts it.

The first thing which struck me is that it has touched upon the subject of wedding planners which has never been explored as such in our movies. The plot involves Shruti Kakkar (Anushka Sharma), a confident, straight forward female who nurses the dream of becoming a wedding planner. Apart from her, there is Bittoo Sharma (Ranveer Singh), a Delhi University product who enjoys life viling away his time. In short, a diametrically opposite character of Shruti. Bittoo gets smitten by her, but things doesnt pans out the way he wants as she has all her life plans well laid out. However, due to certain circumstances they end up being business partners of their wedding planning enterprise "Shaadi Mubarak". Both of them compliment their abilities & in due course of time, "Shaadi Mubarak" becomes the leading enterprise. Things take a turn when they end up sleeping together...what issues later on forms the crux.

The script by Maneesh Sharma is fresh & tackles a new subject; though there is no denying the fact that the second half is predictable & repetitive. The music by Salim-Sulaiman deserves a pat on their backs with "Ainvayi Ainvayi" rendered by Salim & Sunidhi being the best among the lot. Aseem Mishra has been exceptional in capturing the ambience & vibrance of the weddings. 

Anushka Sharma has come up with her best performance till date, though it will be appropriate to say that she has been offered ample opportunity in this as opposed to "Rab Ne.." & "Badmaash Company". Debutant Ranveer Sharma has been impressive in the first half  with his bindaas attitude however he needs to work a lot in the emotional scenes. As far as chemistry goes they do create sparks but at times it seems like she is an elder sister rather than a girl friend.

Verdict: The movie definitely tackles a new subject but it loses much of its punch in the second half. Anywaz considering the way, Yash Raj movies has been tanking in recent times; this will do decent business. As far as my opinion goes, its fine to give it a try if you are free or else forget it!!!

Regards...Ben