If you are a Chopra or Singh fan, Befikre is for you.
After his last directorial blockbuster Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, for the past 8 years, speculation was ripe on what director Aditya Chopra’s next film would be. One expected it to be an emotional love story featuring favorite Shahrukh Khan, who starred not only in RAB NE, but also Chopra’s Mohabbatein and legendary classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Each one of these films represented two primary hallmarks of the YRF brand – SRK and a family oriented love story. Although I understand that “family films” are not the idiom of Bollywood filmmaking today, I waited with bated breath for the announcement of Chopra’s new film, whatever it may be, so that my desire to see a meaningful love story after too many frivolous ones would be complete.
In late 2015, Aditya Chopra finally announced his new directorial venture, Befikre. The first twist came when Chopra this time announced new age superstar and YRF protégé Ranveer Singh to lead the cast. Although as an SRK fan I hoped Chopra would pick SRK again, I was not surprised at this casting, nor did I mind. Ranveer Singh is my favorite actor of the younger lot of actors because of his energy and lack of inhibition, a key for any actor. These qualities were also in SRK back in the day, so Ranveer was perfect to fill his shoes. Twist number 2 came with the casting of Vaani Kapoor, another protégé. A relative newcomer, Vaani lit up the screen with her smile in her debut film Shuddh Desi Romance, and I was looking forward to seeing her again. Once again, no complaints. All of these decisions made sense given that younger actors are now more marketable, popular, fresh, and affordable. The youth is the largest movie going audience, and they do not want to see 50 year olds continuing to romance on the screen the way they did 20 years ago.
At the time of the announcement, Chopra announced that the film would be unlike anything he made before. It would be totally happy, with no emotional drama. Although this was counter to my hopes, I was intrigued by this statement. How can a serious guy like Aditya Chopra make a young, funny, and completely happy film given his dramatic writings in the past like Veer Zaara etc.? I was also worried. Worried because Aditya’s last written script, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, was a colossal disappointment. Would Aditya be able to make a film that not only showcases a new him, but creates a great new piece of work in his filmography that raises the profile of YRF even more? Let’s see…
Befikre tells the story of Dharam (Ranveer) and Shyra (Vaani). Both meet in Paris and decide to first pursue a “no strings attached” type of relationship, which leads to a desire to live-in together. When things do not go as planned, Dharam and Shyra fight but eventually accept each other’s friendship. Certain events and emotions drive a wedge between the friends, which forces them to try to come to terms with their true feelings? Are they actually more than friends? Are they in love? Watch Befikre to find out…
Ranveer Singh is practically the film. He is the single biggest positive to go watch this movie at all. He is hilarious, natural, and charming but also has a great vulnerability which makes the audience side with and feel for his character. Seeing him in the film reinforces my belief even more that this dude is a superstar in every way. He has it in him to give the Khans, Kumars, Roshans, Kapoors, and Devgans of the world a run for their money.
Vaani Kapoor performs very well as Shyra, and the supporting cast in the film are exceptional, especially the actress playing Vaani’s mother.
Music by Vishal-Shekhar is another positive. Each song is extremely catchy and one looks forward to each one. “Ude Dil Befikre” and “Nashe Si Chad Gayi” are definitely the pick of the lot, while “Je T’aime” is a unique, modern take on Chopra classics like “Ho Gaya Hai Tujhko To Pyar” from DDLJ and “Do Pal Ruka” from Veer-Zaara.
Direction by Aditya Chopra is perfect. He has always extracted very good performances from his actors, and this film is no exception. I was also very impressed that Chopra does successfully create a modern (and pretty bold) movie that is unlike anything he has done. It is definitely more original and inspired than his last few works.
Cinematography is strictly ok, but the final scene looks beautiful. Dialogues are ok.
I would like to praise the editor for making the film move very fast, despite is 2.5 hour runtime. One never feels bored and the movie never drags. This is always a plus point for a Bollywood film.
Despite these strengths, there is something about it that prevents me from feeling extremely enthusiastic about it. Let’s talk about the negatives.
The script of the film is the biggest negative. Chopra is certainly successful in creating a happy, stress free movie, and I left the theater feeling happy for sure, but hollow. I think there should have been a little something more in the script which makes you care more for the characters. Unfortunately, if you have characters that don’t care about anything, then why should you care or not whether they end up together? In a love story, someone has to have an emotional weight, a feeling that we can all relate to. A pain that we felt, that we do not want the character to also go through, so we root for them is an essential. Why on earth would we root for two careless people who don’t even believe in love? The film’s overall philosophy to me is what I found to be the biggest flaw. At the very least, Chopra should have put a little bit of substance to create a connect with the characters, but he didn’t and that decimates the ultimate impact of the romance the film is supposed to eventually convince us of.
On this, I will also point out, that not once do I root for Shyra. She seems too unpleasant, blunt and rude. The character should have been given a little more heart, like Dharam.
I was fairly disappointed with the first half. I felt nothing really happened and it was a series of incidents put together. The second half was way better, and the climax in particular was amusing, though perhaps a little out of character to the semi-real tone of the movie.
There has also been some brouhaha about the kissing scenes in the film. I will say that although there are many of those, not once did I feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. It is natural, so why hide it?
The main question one needs to ask to weigh the film’s true merit is, if all of its casting and direction were removed and replaced with newcomers, would it still be watchable? Overall, Befikre is a good film to pass some time with, or take a date to, but beyond that is pretty forgettable. Aditya Chopra has not tarnished his reputation, but has not raised it either. I hope for his next film, he can get in touch with his romantic side again and give us another timeless classic. I give Befikre a 6/10. If you are a Chopra or Singh fan, this movie is for you.
(This post was updated on Feb. 21, 2021)