Get a charming actor. Get a heroine. Write a lousy plot about planning and conning. Add a few songs. Add a thrilling chase sequence between cops and the con. Get a heroine who eventually falls in love with the con. Work is done. Aur chahiye kya in a masala entertainer?
Bollywood filmmakers had decoded a perfect money-minting film formula. They decoded the full-proof code for luring the audience to the theatres.?Bollywood kept milking this formula for years and churning out con-films like Jewel Thief (1967), Do Chor (1972), and Aankhein (2002).?
Then filmmaker Shaad Ali entered the horizon and changed the entire game.?Even after fifteen years, most people still remember 'Bunty Aur Babli' because of its wholehearted commitment towards just giving you a good chuckle.
Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji were cast in this bizarre-thug-comedy which became their third film together after?Bas Itna Sa Khawaab Hai?(2001)? and?Hum Tum?(2004).?
The casting team managed to hit the iron while it was hot & their on-screen chemistry was spot-on. I have re-watched this film enough times to claim that no one else could have pulled off the characters as convincingly as Rani and Abhishek did.?
The film revolved around the lives of Vimmi Saluja and Rakesh Trivedi who're dejected by constant criticism by their own families at their respective hometowns. Soon, they pack their bags to chase their 'Bada Shehar' dreams.?
Rakesh and Vimmi's accidental meeting soon turns into a small plan to teach Que-Que Qureshi a tough lesson after he cunningly steals Rakesh's 'Scheme'.?
The film starts to revolve around Bunty and Babli's hilarious conning-expeditions.?
As Bunty Aur Babli turns film turns 15, let's recall why it wasn't just 'another-thug' film. It was, much more.?
Vimmi's history in the movie reeks of patriarchy. Do Indian parents understand the concept of consent? Well, Vimmi's parents didn't and they were hell-bound on marrying her off to a 10/10 guy who was good in everything. Did Vimmi even want it??
Bunty Aur Babli isn't your usual over-the-top slapstick comedy. Rather, it promises you laughter in installments with some perfectly shot weepy-drama scenes here and there. The film has equal proportions of drama, comedy, a satirical take on how big towners cheat on honest small-towners and much more!?
In one scene, Vimmi cries inconsolably because "mummy ki yaad aa rahi hai..". Shaad Ali has tucked in emotions so effortlessly in different parts of the film to give you a wholesome ride of a commercial Bollywood film.?
The characters have been penned down so strategically that you can't even question your moral compass as a viewer about rooting for Vimmi and Rakesh. Why else would you even like characters who are on a well-thought-of cheat-spree?
Throughout the film, Shaad kept dropping cues for you as a reminder that they have their heart in the right place. They are small-towner Robinhoods who even give money to the poor if need be. Oh, the beautiful irony!?
Can we also take a moment to appreciate the ensemble cast of the film?
How can you appreciate Bunty Aur Babli without talking about him? His cameo as Q Q Qureshi, where he dances in a shady bar remains hilarious! Only he could have pulled off such an absurd role.?
Another memorable cameo is by veteran actor Ranjeet who plays the role of a wealthy-slightly perverted-slightly flirtatious shop-owner.?
The film is wonderfully supported by cameos by iconic actors like Ravi Baswani, Kiran Juneja, Prem Chopra, Puneet Issar, Raj Babbar, Brijendra Kala, Atul Srivastava, and Pratima Kazmi.?
The film is divided into several mini-stories of how Bunty and Babli con people. From the hotel sequence that will crack you up to the epic Taj-Mahal scene where they try to sell 'Taj Mahal' on a lease, Shaad Ali's writing takes the cake!
Taking the focus away from Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji, Amitabh Bachchan makes an entry as a cop who wears a black leather jacket and a gamcha! When you see Big B on the big screen, isn't it difficult to shift your focus.
As they say, "Woh Raita Fail Gaya..."
There's an item number that will be remembered for ages to come! Penned down by Gulzar, Kajra re is a song that comes once in several years. When there's Aishwarya Rai dancing on a song with two handsome hunks, is there even a faint chance of you not whistling?
The song was voted as the best of 2005 by listeners of three radio stations catering for South African Indians.
With Aishwarya's grace and Abhishek Bachchan and Amitabh Bachchan's combined charm, the song went on to become a bigger hit than the movie and we can't question why.?
Even after 15 years of its release, can you really take your eyes off 'Chup Chup Ke'? The song where Vimmi and Rakesh unmask their characters as Bunty and Babli to begin their married life as a normal couple??
Shot in the locales of Leh, the song could easily go down in the history of cinema as one of the most beautifully shot romantic songs.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy deserves a special mention for pitching in after Rahman turned down the opportunity due to date-clashes.
'Bunty Aur Babli' also turned out to be 2005's most successful music albums.?
What's not to love about this film? Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, and Amitabh Bachchan delivered more than they promised and made this film a gem to remember for decades to come.?
Be it Vimmi's?Shalgam ke achar ki smell wala perfume?or?'You can kiraaye pe lease it'?dialogue, this epic ride has continued to make India laugh. Is there a better film on 'Thug Life' than Bunty Aur Babli? Well, I challenge you because there clearly isn't.?
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Makers had announced a sequel with Gully Boy actor Siddhant Chaturvedi and Sharvari. The cast was joined by Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji, who will be back on screen with Yash Raj Films to play the original 'Bunty Aur Babli' in the fully rebooted sequel.?
While Abhishek Bachchan couldn't join the cast, Saif Ali Khan was elated to be a part of the franchise. He had issued a statement saying, "Bunty Aur Babli 2 is a completely rebooted sequel and is set in today's time. It is a fantastic script that hooked me on instantly."
Well, no matter who they cast for the sequel, the original 'Bunty Aur Babli' will never be forgotten! What are your thoughts? Share with us in the comments below.?