'Andaaz' brought back Akshay Kumar out of the woods and the same is expected for Bobby Deol from this entertaining love triangle called 'Barsaat'. Ironically, the 'Barsaat' of 1995 was the launching pad for Bobby Deol and after a decade another 'Barsaat' may ensure hope and aspiration for the young Deol.
Producer and Director Suneel Darshan has once again chosen emotional romanticism as the backdrop of his film. 'Barsaat' brings out the miseries, fate, pain and pleasures of immigrant Indians and their dear ones in this love saga. Bollywood has always banked on love triangles as Raj Kapoor started this trend in the 60s with superhit 'Sangam'. The trend continues till today as today filmmakers are banking on this concept and subject.
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The 'Barsaat' plot and script encores to the ideology of films like Rishi Kapoor's 'Aa Ab Laut Chale', David Dhawan's 'Saajan Chale Sasural' and Suneel Darshan's 'Andaaz'. 'Barsaat' brings out the insatiable desire of present youth of making fortune and money in foreign land. Like 'Aa Ab Laut Chale' protagonist is ambitious and is torn between his "lady love" and "lady luck". According to director Suneel Darshan the story of the film is inspired from one of the article in "India Today". According to their poll survey, out of six lakhs residents of Gurdaspur (Punjab) fifty thousands have migrated to foreign country after their marriage. The film brings out the plight of their families and the plot thickens as two love stories culminate into the climax of the film. 'Barsaat' very much like Hollywood's 'Sweet Home Alabama' with Indian flavors and depiction.
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To an extent it draws similarity to David Dhawan's 'Sajan Chale Sasural' as the protagonist runs into relationship for successful career with affluent girl despite his marriage. 'Barsaat' story has shades from 'Andaaz' as one of two beloved sacrifices herself for true love. In 'Andaaz' Priyanka sacrifices for Lara and this time she gets benefited from Bipasha's sacrifice.
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'Barsaat' is story of small town intelligent and over ambitious boy Arav Kapoor (Bobby Deol). Arav has childhood love Kaajal (Priyanka Chopra) and they share some memorable moments. Arav leaves for America for higher study with a dream of becoming world's finest car designer. Arav dreams bring him in the world of opportunities and his ideas are well received from his seniors. Life takes big turn when he meets Anna (Bipasha Basu). The first meeting at Gypsy Temple, disco and at car Showroom culminates into love. Anna is the only heir of Mr Virwani (Shakti Kapoor), chairman of BMW. Arav gets the opportunity of his life as his designs gets approval from world's finest car manufacturers- BMW. Destiny has its own plans as he was summoned from his parents to attend to his ailing father. Arav gets the shock of his life as he confronts his past. He reconciles his forceful marriage to Kaajal by his parents (Gajendra Chauhan and Beena) in his native town. Arav plans for a divorce from Kaajal so that he could marry Anna. At first Kaajal resists but after knowing Arav's relationship with Anna she agrees. The mutual separation becomes emotional distressing for Kaajal.
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A disappointed Kaajal plans out for independent career by working out a factory in her place. Arav gets impressed with Kaajal's will power and determination and his sympathy converts into love. Love blossoms between them as they relive their childhood nostalgic moments. Anna lands up in India for marriage. This upsets Kaajal but bravely she confronts the situation. Arav realizes his mistake and finally Anna sacrifices her love for the eternal love relationship between Arav and Kaajal. The film ends up on happy note giving the "feel good factor" once again.
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Writer director Suneel Darshan should be applauded for coagulating "realism" with entertainment. The concept looks outdated but still looks enthralling and entertaining. The director has balanced emotional quotient very well as the series of events connects well with the script. The film has loose ends as it loses grip towards the climax and the entertaining family drama ends up like an average film.
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The first part of the film is more entertaining as the story nurtures in foreign land in the backdrop of the finest car factories of the world. Dreamy sequences coupled with a mushy love story makes it eye appealing. The second half looks typically Bollywood with unusual marriage ceremonies and family melodramas. If first half belongs to Bipasha then second half has Priyanka as the eye candy. The depiction of Priyanka as small town entrepreneur is revelation and surprisingly shocking for many. The love chemistry between Priyanka and Bobby in the second half brings out some nostalgia in the air.
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After some "cardboard" historical characterizations in the much-hyped 'Mangal Pandey', Delhi's audience gets the flavors of "real" characters that connect with viewers. Suneel Darshan's 'Andaaz' resurrected Akshay Kumar's career and this flick will certainly rejuvenates Bobby's sagging acting career. After some insipid and cadaverous suspense thrillers it has propped as fresh whiff of air. Bobby has worked hard on his looks and it shows his clothing's with shinning BMW's and Ferrari's. Priyanka Chopra has shaped up well once again in traditionally Indian girl craving for soulful love. After Aishwarya she seems to be frontrunner for the top slot and her mettle speaks volumes for her. Bipasha looks refreshing and sensuous as she flaunts her physical assets without inhabitations. Among others Vivek Shaque impresses in comical mood as caring friend. Gajendra Chauhan, Been and Mahesh Thakur has shown flair for family dramas in their brief yet important roles. Costume designer Manish Malhotra deserves all the accolades in garnishing these bevies of beauties with designer wears and western clothing's. Cinematography W.B Rao efficient craftsmanship brings out the eternal beauty of foreign locations (Cape Town - South Africa) and it metaphors with the songs and characters of the film. Raju Khan Choreography has lifted the spirits of the film once again with well conceived songs like "Haath Uthake", "Pyar Aaya" and "Barsaat Ke Din". Nadeem Shravan's music is icing on the top and rightfully they have rendered the year finest soundtracks. It was overstatement that it was their best performance as it has not transformed into magnanimous sales. Music has coagulated well at many places with tracks like "Saajan Saajan" with Priyanka delivering poetic verses in tragic mood.
The film heavily relies on the shoulders of these actors and they have delivered the needful. The film has the skin of conventional Bollywood entertainer but has many fine moments of love, laughter, sorrow and delight. In a cloud burst of sleazy flicks and "history for entertainment" stuff, it promises to be entertaining. A good mouth of publicity and better promotion can work wonders for the film. If 'Andaaz' brought luck to Akshay then certainly one expects better climate for Bobby Deol in future.
