Great effort!. Review on Bas Ek Pal

To be honest, one cannot expect too much from a movie like BAS EK PAL for quite a few reasons. For starters, we have to admit that even though directed by the critically acclaimed Onir, the movie didn't have the credits to create sensation. Secondly, regardless of the talent of Onir, one still has to consider the fact that he is a relative newcomer. When Farhan Akhtar can be forgiven for a mediocre follow up (LAKSHYA) to DCH, then so can Onir for coming up with BAS EK PAL as his second movie. In fact, FORGIVE is not the word. I say Onir has to be given credit for trying something genuinely different yet again. Yes, the movie has some major drawbacks, but then again, not every step in a new direction leads to complete success, now does it?

Therefore, BAS EK PAL can be summed up as a genuinely commendable effort, which at times does struggle to create an impact. But for the most part, I feel BAS EK PAL went unnoticed quite unfairly because in comparison to a lot of other movies of its generation, the movie is quite sensitive and appreciable.

BAS EK PAL kicks off on an electrifying note when Nikhil (Sanjay Suri) meets Anamika (Urmila) and falls in love with her. She refuses to reveal her name to him in their first meeting despite dancing with him and pairing up with him while entering the club. This forces Nikhil to chase her for a second meeting, and this second meeting leads to a disaster in the lives of not only Nikhil and Anamika, but also in the lives of Nikhil's best friend Rahul (Jimmy Shergill), as well as Rahul's friend (Steve aka Rehan Engineer) and Steve's wife (Juhi Chawla).

Starting off on a bright note and then developing the narrative on a serious note is not an easy job. But Onir definitely shows expertise in the department of sensitivity as he gradually develops his story around the five major characters. He makes sure each character has enough footage to lead to proper character development. Besides, it is a job well done to show Suri's transition from an easy-going NRI to a man who has been through a very rough time. The movie does, however, stumble a little bit near the interval when the well-awaited reunion of Nikhil and Anamika is executed abruptly. The way they meet is executed poorly and does bring the film's graph down at the interval point.

However, one has to give credit to Onir because post-interval is not boring or dragging at all. In fact proceedings speed up at this point as each character's secret begins coming out and the emotional drama gains momentum. Sadly though, the only blemish (though a major one again) is Suri's stagnant character who spies around easily all the time near Jimmy and Urmila's house. Such an easy access to houses of good families is rather surprising and shows a hangover from the cinema of the 80s. Again, however, Onir's effective screenplay manages to absorb the viewer into the drama till the very end, as twist after twist the drama just keeps increasing.

Technically too, BAS EK PAL is more or less a promising product. It has frames to match the movie's dark theme, and it has cinematography to match the mood too. To top it all, Pritam's musical score enhances the effect of each major situation when one of the melodious songs plays in the back. Mithoon, who has partly composed the album with Pritam, does a great job in coming up with TERE BIN, which is one of the best tracks of the year. HAI ISHQ YEH KYA and the title song are also very hummable and melodious. Performance-wise, Onir yet again succeeds in a major way to extract supreme performances from almost everyone.

Sanjay Suri is simply fantastic as Nikhil. One has to say that this is Suri's first full-fledge commercial role where he delivers in totality. He gets a chance to show not only his routinely humorous and talented side, but also gets a chance to portray a reckless individual who learns from life. No doubt, Suri carries the movie on his shoulders as if he is a seasoned performer and proves to everyone that he has finally arrived. Jimmy Shergill is equally effective as he gets to play so many different parts and he pulls of each one of them correctly. Be it the irritating and insecure lover, or be it a caring friend, or be it an emotional supporter, Shergill proves that he is versatile enough to have secured a better spot in Bollywood had it not been for some poor movie selection on his part.

Juhi Chawla is as usual very likeable as she gives a very energetic, yet simple performance in a complex role that can be very hard for any actress. Urmila Matondkar too gets ample footage and she makes use of it to confirm that one can always count on her for a realistic and sensitive performance. Rehan Engineer goes over the top in some sequences, and also has trouble with his dialogue delivery. Yet, on the whole he manages to make the audience hate him, which is the main purpose of his character. The rest of the cast too is passable.

On the whole, BAS EK PAL is a genuinely different effort, and it is a good effort too. It is tragic that movies like MAIN HOON NA, 36 CHINA TOWN, and TOM DICK AND HARRY can be called more successful than this unique product. Yet, this is world and some things are hard to explain. But if you take my word, BAS EK PAL is quite watchable and you won't be disappointed for sure!