Today I had a talk with my elder brother, who had a bigggg collection of comics, from which I got the habit of reading. Suddenly he reminded me of a comic character superhero – Supremo, based on Amitabh Bachchan.
You would ask, Comic book, on a Film star?? Yes!!! The only reason could be, Amitabh Bachchan has had such a huge fan following that a comic book was based on him, where the superstar doubled up as a superhero.
Amitabh Bachchan with his Comic book - Supremo
Red Chillies Entertainment, ‘Billu’ (earlier titled Billu Barber), is the latest flm from the Priyadarshan Stable, Starring Irrfan Khan, Lara Dutta and Shah Rukh Khan in the lead.
The film is based on a story from epic Mahabharata, from Lord Krishna’s life, Lord Krishna & Sudama. Sudama who is childhood friend of Krishna, is ashamed of his poverty and thinks that Krishna must have forgot him, but Krishna remembers his friend and his help. Billu Barber is modern adaptation of Krishna-Sudama Story.
It is a remake of a Malayalam film, Kadha Parayumbol. The saga of ‘Billu’ is about the friendship of an ordinary barber and a Superstar. Priyadarshan has his own unique way of delivering the story in a simple and lucid manner which just grabs your attention.
“Billu” is a story of a barber, Billu (Irfaan Khan). He is struggling hard to run his shop, against all odds, No money, no furniture for shop, another barber in competition with modern saloon. Only person standing by his side is 
wife, Bindiya (Lara Dutta), who understand him. Billu struggles a lot to earn for his family. His poverty is another reason for loss of education of their children.
Things Suddenly change in a small village Budbuda (UP), when superstar Sahir Khan decides to shoot his film there. Sahir Khan is Billu’s childhood friend. Knowing that Sahir Khan is Billu’s childhood friend, villegers’ behaviour suddenly changes towards Billu. Everyone wants to meet Sahir Khan through Billu. However, Billu tries to apprach him, but he fails to do so. With this the villagers get angry and already in trouble Billu has to face their additional wrath. But at the end the story reveals when Sahir Khan himself, tells the villegers about their Friendship.
Coming to the performances, Irrfan Khan has once again done, what he does best, Acting. He is simply superb. He beautifully plays the character of Billu, who is happy and smiles even in toughest times. The scene where Billu rings Sahir Khan to talk is worth mentioning. Irrfan Khan has done it wonderfully. Lara Dutta is good. The kids Gunja & Kalu deserve a special mention.
Shahrukh Khan has played himself. His super stardom has been filmed very well. He calls himself King Khan, His posters are all over the village, People copying his Hairstyle, and even, Billu’s wife dreaming him in her dreams!! The three special special songs with Kareena, Deepika and Priyanka are worth watching. Though they are not of part of story, but doesnt seem to distract too.
The climax of the film, when Sahir Khan harks back to his childhood friendship with Billu and recalls the deep amity they both shared together makes you feel good, makes your heart feel good for the goodness.
With this film Priyadarshan proves that he can still make serious and sensitive films, and he has the same mastery as he has in making comedies.
The songs of film were already hit. The songs have been picturised superbly especially MarJani Marjani & Khudaya Khair. Pritam impresses with spongy music. And Gulzar has again written some great lyrics. just imagine this:
Wo jab nakhun kutarti hai, to chanda ghatne lagta hai,
Wo jab paani pe kadam rakhe, sagar bhi hat jata hai . .
Isnt it amazing!!!
On the whole, ‘Billu’ will be with you even when you leave from theatre. The movie leaves a sweet smile on your face and huge impression on your mind and that is its success.
Last weekend was a long one and I, along with my friends, went on a trip to Chiplun-Dhapoli. You can find the Pics here. While returning its was around 1 Am, and Massakali from Delhi 6 was playing loud…. and Bhanu and I were singing along with it. We listened to it atleast 4 times again n again…..
The song has a certain charm which keeps your ears glued to the sound. The words are simple which we use daily…. udd, mud, ghar, saloni, manmani…. and my first thought was its Gulzar again!! Who else can write such lyrics other than Gulzar?? But, to my surprise its Prasoon Joshi!! Prasoon Joshi has given some great Lyircs in Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par, but this time , with Massakali, he has tried to have the Gulzar’s touch…. he has the special ability to transform the everyday used words in to meaningful songs. But now Prasoon Joshi also has done it, imagine transforming words such as kasbe kuche nukkad basti . .. in to a song!!!
Have a look at the song:
Aye Masakali Masakali, Ud Mataakali Mataakali
Aye Masakali Masa Masa Kali, Ud Mataakali Mataakali
Masakali Masakali, Ud Mataakali Mataakali
Zara Pankh Jhatak, Gai Dhool Atak
Aur Lachak Machak Ke Durr Bhatak
Ud Dagar Dagar Kasbe Kuche Nukkad Basti
Mein Yeah E Yeah E,
Itdi Se Mud Ada Se Ud,
Kar Le Puri Dil Ki Tamanna, Hawa Se Jud Ada Se Ud
Purr Bhuur Bhurrr Phuurrr, Tu Hai Heera Panna Ree
Masakali Masakali, Ud Mataakali Mataakali
Ghar Tera Saloni, Badal Ki Colony
Dikha de Thenga In Sabko Jo Udna Na Jane
(Udiyo Na Dariyo Kar Manmani Manmani Manmani
Badhiyo Naa Mudiyon Kar Nadani) – 2
Abb Than Le Muskan Le, Keh Sana Nana Na Na Na Hawa
Bas Than Le Tu Jaan Le, Keh Sana Nana Na Na Na Hawa
Aye Masakali Masakali, Ud Mataakali Mataakali
Aye Masakali Masa Masa Kali, Masakali Masakali, Ud Mata….
Tujhe Kya Gham Tera Rishta, Gagan Ki Bansuri Se Hai
Pawan Ki Guftagu Se Hai, Suraj Ki Roshani Se Hai
(Udiyo Na Dariyo Kar Manmani Manmani Manmani
Badhiyo Naa Mudiyon Kar Nadani) – 2
Abb Than Le Muskan Le, Keh Sana Nana Na Na Na Hawa
Bas Than Le Tu Jaan Le, Keh Sana Nana Na Na Na Hawa
Masakali Masakali, Ud Matak Matak Matakali
Masakali Masa Masa Masakali, Matak Matak …
Your first thought would be what’s Massakali. So, Director Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra, says
My definition of Masakali… Masakali is a song about liberation and freedom. Flying high.
It is the name of the white pigeon which is dancing on Sonam’s head. The white pigeon has also found it’s way perched on the Delhi 6 logo. For me it depicts peace and love which is the essential soul of the film. The song is also Bittu’s (Sonam Kapoor) aspiration to break free and fly high.
My experience while shooting the song…well more than shooting it was while recording the song. While I was briefing Prasoon Joshi and AR Rahman on the same, Rahman kept coming up with the thought of a white pigeon and I told him it’s a strange coincidence that we have a white pigeon named Masakali in the film.
And to complement the song, Maestro A R Rahman’s Music. The use of Mouthorgan is simply awesome.
And the singer needs a special mention for delivering a brilliant performance. Did you recognise the singer. He is Mohit Chouhan.Dont remember?? He is the same mohit Chouhan who sang:
Dooba dooba rehta hun yaadon me teri,
Deewana ban gaya hun main chahat me teri . .
And the way its has been picturised needs a special mention. Sonam Kapoor looks just great in the promos. She looks the girl next door, and the way she dances with dove on her head, or walks on the streets, or makes faces just make her more adorable each time.
Its 6th time the song is playing in my PC. I am just addicted to it!!!
Comments are most welcome . . .
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