Wonder how Amitabh Bachchan, the style icon for decades, manages to jig on Punjabi Pop songs like "Roop Hai Tera Sona So", "Come On Come On" and others. The question has remained unanswered ; whenever there is a talk about his lineage, people tend to discuss his father more than his mother. Yes, his mother is a Kudi Punjaban and all that naughtiness that you still see in Amitabh's eyes is just attributed to her ( Mrs. Teji Bachchan ). The impact of this mixed heritage has been such on Amitabh that he can sing Awadhi songs and speak fluent Punjabi, both with the same ease.
Meet in the movie Balraj Kapoor who speaks in Punjabi with his elder brother. He has grown up with the tradition and has a heart that is big enough to accommodate a daughter-in-law as her daughter. 'Baabul' is a film that has been released by B R Films in its golden jubilee years. Veteran B R Chopra must be feeling happy to see his long cherished dream take shape on screen.
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While B.R. Chopra's brother is at ease showing smooching scenes in 'Dhoom 2', B.R.'s own son is satisfied with the values and emotions of Indian society. He brings 'Baabul' after a successful 'Baghbaan'. The verdict of this film will decide whether social family drama is again back on big screen with a bang or the success of 'Vivah' was just n accident .Those who made 'Vivah' a success will come back to see another emotional film in such a short span or not, may decide the fate of 'Baabul'.
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The film is the picturization of a story that every one knows without even seeing it. To sustain the interest of viewers for a film that is already known to them is not an easy task. Director Ravi Chopra faces the biggest challenge of his career in 'Baabul'. He is on the hat trick with Amitabh Bachchan (Ravi made his debut as director with 'Zameer' with Big B) . Amitabh Bachchan is essence of the film. He plays Balraj Kapoor who loves his son Avinash (Salman Khan) and respects him like a friend.
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Both of them gel well, be it in office, at home or at playground. While playing golf, Balraj's ball unintentionally hits painting bowls of Milli (Rani Mukherjee) and her painting is spoiled. Both of them enter into a fight and seeing this Avinash presents himself to Milli as an employee of Balraj. Avi and Milli get along and soon they are in love. Milli comes to know about Avi's reality but this time Balraj comes to the rescue his son.
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Avi and Milli get married and their son grows to become the dear child of his grand parents. One day while coming back home from airport a speeding car hits Avi. Milli's life is shattered but Balraj cannot bear her crying all the time. He finds out Milli's best friend Rajat's whereabouts and cajoles him to join his efforts to bring the smile back on Milli's face. But, before they could succeed, a quiet opposition starts surfacing against Balraj's wish.
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His wife (Hema Malini) thinks that Milli might snatch their grandson from her. Balraj's elder brother (Om Puri) is of the opinion that after Milli gets remarried, society will not like it. But, Balraj is firm on his judgment. He does 'kanyadaan' for his daughter-in-law. Ravi Chopra has tried to make a film on the story of Dr Achla Nagar that treads on a very thin line.
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The story on its own does not have much to offer, and having a single line story with him Ravi would have been very brave in deciding to make a film on it. The film takes a rocking start with Amitabh and Salman dancing together. Ravi succeeds in establishing the father-son relationship in a very healthy way. The film is very soft till interval and at this point it takes a turn when Avinash dies. Post-interval the film brings tears into one's eyes and the by the time it reaches climax, it makes one weep profusely.
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One has to be patient to enjoy the film. It is slow but it entertains. Those adept to see fast pace movies may not like it, but if you value emotions and wish to see another heart-touching performance of Amitabh Bachchan, it will not let you down. Viewers may not be able to take this film home with them. However, the time spent in theatres is worth memory. Amitabh carries the film on his shoulders. His scenes with Salman are full of energy. The scene where he cheats during Golf is good.
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Big B also shares some good scenes with Hema and later when he cajoles John to join him in London . But he is at his best when he talks to Rani. And Rani, once again shows to new actresses how to emote. The scene where she stands under the shower after Avinash is dead and her sindoor is slowly pouring down, is the best of her. But, the best scene of the film is where she talks to her son who is sitting in the closet and feeling the smell of Avinash in his clothes. John, on the other hand, seems to have lost a big opportunity to cash on. He doesn't look comfortable in a role that required more passion .
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The music of the film is quite peppy and the song that you don't get in film's audio CDs' is one of the best. It is sung by Amitabh Bachchan and comes first as background score . The expressions he carries on his face when the door closes are something to cherish for. But all said and done, over-publicity of the film seems to have worked against 'Baabul'. It will need a strong word of mouth publicity to sustain at the box office. The film is just fit for the weekend, but it falls a bit short of expectations.
