Dec 09, 2011 08:42 AM
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(Updated Dec 09, 2011 08:43 AM)
Ladies v/s Ricky Bahlbrings back the light and breezy ‘feel good’ factor that worked for Band Baaja Baaraatand made it into a sleeper hit. There is something about Anushka and Ranveer together on screen that brings a smile on the viewer’s face. Its hard to describe in words, but I guess the best I can put it is the spontaneity which they bring in their expressions and dialogue delivery that just clicks. Frankly, in terms of storyline and narration the film literally goes nowhere. But despite many flaws in terms of execution, the film manages to hold your attention and keep the smile on your face largely because of the chutzpah of Ranveer and Anushka on screen together.
Plot:
If you mix in the basic premise of The Thomas Crown Affairand John Tucker Must Dieyou have a ready made hotchpotch of Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl.But thankfully, the film only borrows the premise of these two films, its scenarios are completely different and so is its approach. Parineeti Chopra, Dipannita Sharma and Aditi Sharma realise through a chance encounter that they all have been conned by the same person Ranveer Singh (Ricky Bahl). Ricky is an expert conman who charms women for money, his rule being, never to let emotions in the way, or to hurt the girls’ emotions that he cons, because it always leads to complications. The trio of conned girls bring in Anushka Sharma (Ishika Desai) and decide to give Ricky Bahl his own back. So who ends up conning who? And in the process does Ricky break his only rule, and let emotions get in the way?
Well, the whole plot was just completely given away in the trailer of the film. The tension of battle of the sexes and who ends up conning who does not really live up to its potential and it fails to draw the viewer in. Ricky Bahl is not nearly as heartless enough to make the audience root for Anushka to win. You know where the film is headed. You know it’s a romantic comedy. You can pretty much predict what is going to happen. There is a slight twist in the climax but the plot is hardly the USP of the film.
Chemistry:
There is something about Ranveer-Anushka together on screen. They have got an excellent rapport and timing on screen. In fact, the whole build up before Ranveer and Anushka meet could have come a lot earlier and I felt too much time was spent in showing Ranveer’s cons. The cons were innovative but they failed to truly capture the audience. Till Anushka’s entry, the film just trudges along. It’s not boring, but it’s no great shakes either. After Anushka’s entry, things really start to heat up and then the audience is given what it came for. In fact, for a film that has such a predictable plot, the lead pair did an excellent job in diverting attention to an end which you can pretty much figure out very easily from the first time they meet. From the witty banter between the two till the honest moments that they share, it’s quite an enjoyable ride from about 3/4 way in the first half till majority of the 2nd half. Then the film starts to drag again during the latter stages of the 2nd half wherein the emotional complications play in. If the beginning half an hour or so and the latter 2nd half could have been tightened, this could have been a much more enjoyable film regardless of the plot predictability.
The cinematography is excellent. The locales are picturesque and all in all, the film has a pleasant and visually aesthetic feel to it. The songs were peppy and fit the situation well. The intro songs of both lead characters Adat Se Majboorand Jazbagave us a good insight into the psychology and motivations of the actions of both the characters. Once again, the focus is pretty much on the lead pair and all the three conned actresses Parineeti Chopra, Dipannita Sharma and Aditi Sharma have very little screen time to judge them appropriately. Each of them fulfils the role assigned but no standout from amongst the three. Perhaps, if I have to pick, I’d say Parineeti Chopra because she gets the best lines compared to the three and her “bindaas” attitude had some flesh as a character which could be built upon. But I wouldn’t count this as a major breakthrough. This is very much Ranveer-Anushka’s film. They bring a smile to your face and you just sit back and let them take you for a ride to the extent that you are willing to forget that you know how this ride will end.
The film maintains its light and breezy charm throughout and it grows on you as it progresses much like the modus operandi of Ricky Bahl and how he cons his women. The film could have done with a much better script and better editing, especially trimming in the beginning to get to the entry of Anushka meeting Ranveer quicker and in the latter stages of the 2nd half. But still, it has a nice feel to it and you feel upbeat after you come out of the theatre. It is no masterpiece or a must watch film, but it grows on you and will definitely put a smile on your face. A very good one time watch.
