Banner: Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment
Cast: Ritesh Deshmukh, Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Fardeen Khan, Boman Irani, Amisha Patel, Koena Mitra, Dia Mirza, Shamita Shetty, Neha Dhupia, Malaika Arora, Amrita Arora, Amrita Rao, Tara Sharma, Minissha Lamba, Riya Sen, Sophie Chaudhary, Masumi Makhija, Aarti Chhabria, Hrishita Bhatt
Direction: Sajid Khan
Production: Sajid Nadiadwala
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When one sits on the fence and analyzes movies, passing scathing and acidic comments on all and sundry, be it films or those associated with it, the same people you’d targeted are bound to examine your film with a magnifying glass, when they get an opportunity.
Sajid Khan is known for his funny-n-witty repartees; in his first major project Heyy Babyy, he not only merges funny situations and emotional moments with aplomb, but also makes a compelling, wholesome film.
Heyy Babyy is not completely Three Men And A Baby. Sure, you draw parallels since both Three Men And A Baby and Heyy Babyy revolve around a trio of confirmed bachelors who unexpectedly discover the joys of fatherhood when a baby is left at their doorstep, but the similarities end there. In fact, the promos in this case don’t open the cards completely. There’s more to this film than masti-mazaak and the three men chasing girls of all shapes and sizes.
Heyy Babyy also works because the script is believable and the journey from Scene A to Z is well-structured. Of course, there’re minor aberrations, but the finale packs in a solid punch.
Sajid Khan is a skilled storyteller. Although he’s known for impromptu, funny one-liners, it’s the handling of the emotional moments in the enterprise that catches you by complete surprise. Note another aspect where a director makes all the difference: Akshay, Fardeen and Ritiesh have been a part of comic capers in the past, but after having watched this trio in Heyy Babyy, not once do you feel that they’re repeating themselves.
Heyy Babyy promises entertainment unlimited and delivers it with aplomb. Do carry your kerchief along. It makes you laugh, it makes you moist-eyed. This Babyy rocks!
Three bachelors — Aroush (Akshay Kumar), Tanmay (Ritiesh Deshmukh) and Ali (Fardeen Khan) — are having the time of their lives in Sydney. They flirt around, sleep around and have numerous ‘gorgeous’ conquests to their credit.
They suddenly find their dating and mating rituals irreparably destroyed when a dimpled little roommate lands up on their doorstep. Aroush, Tanmay and Ali know a thing or two about women, but when it comes to babies, they’re total zeroes and this bouncing bundle of joy is anything but joyous. But then Angel works her charm and before long, the three lecherous bachelors have been transformed into loving, caring fathers.
But beautiful Esha (Vidya Balan) will have none of it. She has known heartbreak once and will do anything to avenge that betrayal. And if it means breaking the hearts of three men who’ve finally discovered they possess hearts, then too bad!
Sajid Khan wastes no time and comes to the point (the bachelors finding an abandoned baby at their doorstep) at the very start, immediately after their frivolous attitude is exposed in the title track. The sequences with the baby are entertaining, but it’s the turning point — when the baby gets critically ill and the guys realize their folly — that’s a master stroke from the writing and execution point of view. The viewer is in for another surprise at the interval point. It takes the story to another high altogether.
The second half starts off well, but loses its shine partly as Fardeen and
Ritiesh go to great lengths to get the baby back. The sequence in the car (Fardeen) is hilarious, but not the entire track. The sequences in Wonderland and also when Akshay and Ritesh disguise themselves as Arabs in a restaurant fall flat. Fortunately, Heyy Babyy picks up in the penultimate reels again. The last few minutes make you forget the deficiencies as it races towards a fulfilling finale.
The writing (screenplay: Sajid Khan, Milap Zaveri) hits a high note in the first hour, but should’ve been as cohesive in the second hour as well. Yet, there are moments in this hour that you carry home. Dialogues (Milap Zaveri) are simple; they don’t get flowery at any point. Cinematography (Himman Dhamija) is of superior quality. The stunning locales of Sydney look equally striking on screen.
Musically (Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy), it’s a hit score. A mix of peppy and melodious numbers, the ones that stand out are the title track (with an array of actresses making fleeting appearances) and ‘Mast Kalandar’ (SRK rocks).
Akshay is in terrific form. This role offers him ample scope to go beyond the comic roles he specializes in. Sure, he makes you laugh, but he also makes you moist-eyed when he pines for ‘his’ baby. One performance that should find a prominent place in his impressive repertoire.
Fardeen springs a surprise. He hasn’t worked in as many comic capers, but handles his part confidently. Ritiesh is dependable yet again. The youngster is so comfortable in light roles that even if he sleepwalks, he’d make you giggle. His usage of Marathi in a kiddie party will be greeted with cheers.
Vidya Balan is superb. Not only does she look bewitching, she also enacts her part with amazing ease. A highly competent actress, she’s got all it takes to reach the top slot. Boman Irani doesn’t get much footage, but makes his presence felt in the introductory sequence mainly. The baby is simply adorable.
On the whole, Heyy Babyy is an entertainer that has something for everyone. At the box-office, it has the potential to rock big time. The fantastic opening of the film has only proved sone pe suhaaga. Grab a ticket today!