Movie Review: Besharam (2013)

Release date: 2nd Oct 2013
Director: Abhinav Kashyap
Rating: 1.5/5

So, the Kapoor khandan (Rishi Clan) decided to cut the noose slack, let their wild and sleazy sides free and create dhamaal on screen together. But alas! Failure was never more painful.

Besharam is about being loud. About being a ruffian who even the traditional mummyjis adore. It is about speaking in uncomfortable haryanvi, and getting it wrong. Besharam is also about trying too hard, and falling flat.

The storyline is a mess. If the audience thought Barfi was a rip off, piecing sequences from tens of movies, this one borrows its content from hundreds. There is, of course, Ranbir doing his I-can-do-anything-coz-I-am-so-adorable, as he subjects the audience to his chest hair and near glimpses of his behind in a 'shower scene'. The female lead, Pallavi Sharda, looks a tad too old for her debut. However, after a little getting used to, you can see that she actually manages to do a fine job of a horribly scripted role.

She reminds you of how Yami Gautam, for no reason at all, falls for Ayyusshhmaann in Vicky Donor, who before that, leaves no stone unturned to piss her off and harass her. She fades into oblivion in the last bit in the movie, and her importance to the movie can be gauged by the fact that if you google Besharam's cast, google does not even pop up her name. And also, she packs in good dancing skills, her choreographer should have been kinder to her.

And then there is a flashback to Mr. India, with Babli bhaiya donning Arun bhaiya's hat (and chest hair, I suppose) and the kids getting kidnapped by superbad Javed Jaffry, whose talents have been ridiculously wasted in his role as a villain. His villainous pursuits, and his and his entourage's fight sequences with the hero clan try to recreate the blitz, the wham-bham from the Dabangg franchise, but completely lack the flair.

Now for Kapoorji Senior and his missus - Sir/Ma'am, we really hold you, your talents in deep regard. What you do here only makes us remember the good old days and sob. Crass comedy, of this kind, is completely unbecoming of your stature in the industry.

Okay. Ignore movie. Sad music (save bits and pieces of some songs). Hoping you don't become too complacent too soon, Mr. Kapoor Jr.

P.S. Well, special mention for Babli's friend played by Amitosh Nagpal - who saves the day with his comic timing. Alas, there is precious little of him in the movie.