Die Hochzeitsplaner - Band Baaja Baaraat

Maneesh Sharma's directorial debut Band Baaja Baaraat is one of the year's most refreshing and entertaining films. It is a charming romance filled with colour, energy and pep. The movie can be easily set apart from all the recent films made by Yash Raj Films, in that it is very simple and it actually shows the beauty of India through its two main characters of young wedding planners, who unexpectedly (for them), fall in love. Sharma's direction is absolutely marvelous, and the film is totally benefited from the fantastic sets, props and costumes, which give the film an authentic feel, along with the characters which look more like real people rather than cinematic heroes. This very portrayal and the script had actually more weight for me in making the movie work. The narrative style makes for a fun watch, and that's thanks to the dialogues and the catchy songs. The film's first half is more of an ornamental wedding spree. And it is towards the second half when the story takes the audience by surprise and turns into a romantic drama that is quite moving and interesting.

While watching the movie, it is quite inspiring to see how young people from relatively traditional middle-class families strive to make a career on their own. Rarely do we see in Indian films such young people starting to run their own independent business, particularly when all they have is willpower and faith in their abilities. The growing prosperity of the main characters' business is interesting to watch, mainly because it's not made to look forcedly larger than life, but rather real and gradual. Thinking about wedding planning, one would certainly expect to see some lavish, over-the-top ceremonies, but here everything is lifelike and genuine, and yet colourful and impressively creative. As for the love story, it is incorporated into the story efficiently. The musical duo Salim-Sulaiman significantly contribute to the film's mood with a great list of tracks, among which the energetic "Ainvayi Ainvayi" is rightly the most popular. "Dumm Dumm" is also very good and is wonderfully performed on-screen. My favourite numbers are the romantic "Aadha Ishq" and the melancholic "Mitra".

The movie stars two young actors. The role of the male lead is played by newcomer Ranveer Singh, and he makes a confident debut, playing his character's different shades exceedingly well, at times so well that throughout the movie it is hard to believe it is his debut performance. But without a doubt, it is Anushka Sharma who dominates the proceedings with her wonderfully natural performance. Just like her male costar, she commendably masters the dialect of a street smart Delhi Punjabi girl, but more than anything, it is her sensitive portrayal of Shruti's feisty nature, pain and strength that stands out. Moreover, Ranveer and Anushka's chemistry is fantastic. Just watch the scene in which the two of them are standing drunk in front of each other in the dark room. Director Sharma handles the scene very well, creating the right amount of romantic tension, using some really soothing music in the background, and of course the two young leads play the shy nature of the moment with conviction. It is one of the beautiful scenes in the film (and I'm actually not one of those romantic fools).

Towards the last portions of the second half, the movie gets more emotional, at times too much but thankfully unlike many bland attempts made in recent films in which everything turns into ancient melodrama, here it works. The scene in which Shruti fearlessly and honestly reveals her true feelings without blinking an eye is terrific - again, superbly acted by Sharma. Singh's reaction is also very real and believable. This scene captures much of their potential. With this film Anushka establishes herself as a capable actress, and I believe she will now be flooded with offers for demanding parts. As for Ranveer, this movie may well put him on the map as one of the most competent young actors today, and I personally find him more promising than most of the guys who have debuted in recent years. The film's ending is nice albeit a tad too sentimental. The situation itself is relatable, but it could have been better done. Still, Band Baaja Baaraat works more for its youthful, lighthearted and effervescent mood, and is overall a worthy feature which makes for a pleasant watch.

Shruti! I had a crush on Anushka Sharma after watching this movie. At those time, we 90s kids, had a lot of time in the world to do anything we want. So we didn't use to leave any movie. I clearly remember watching this movie. Throughout the movie, I had this thought that this is a great movie, a fantastic movie, one of the best movies, as people suggested to us earlier. With that thinking, I went on enjoying the movie. There were plenty of good moments in the film, which were very exciting. I rather enjoyed it for the first time. However, when I watched it for the second time, after several years, I couldn't bare at all. Everything was ultra boring. Very much average. I had a thought that at the age of 15 I rather liked it because I never had an experience of watching wedding movies. It actually bored me to a great extent. Also, there was hell a lot of drama in the movie. Even Shruti created some at times. Yes, my crush at some point. After a few more years: I watched Made in Heaven web series. It is the much-evolved, more erotic, more wild, more enthusiastic, highly more creative part of this movie. They have the same work and the same genre too - Wedding genre. But Made in Heaven stands at a way different level. I literally watched it twice without any regret. Why I'm mentioning it is I felt it is the better and bigger version of Band Baaja Baarat. BBB had bittu and Shruti, made in heaven has a highly bigger team. PS: I'm not from primevideo or Madeinheaven team. Just sharing my experience. Yes, I kinda hate this movie now.

Finally a YRF movie that is getting good reviews, and made me really curious to watch and check out what is the deal all about. Lead actors are debutant Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma , who has already had a box office hit with her debut film with SRK.

The movie is fully set and shot in Delhi, and all characters speak with authentic Delhi-ite accent, it almost becomes difficult understanding after being so used to the Mumbaiya accent in all the other films. Shruti (Anushka) aspires to open her own wedding planner business while Bitto (Ranveer) is finding a way to escape his father's plans to taking him back to village to help in the sugar cane business. They get together and start their wedding planning company, named Shaadi Mubarak, with strict policy of never involving emotions or love in between them. Business goes successfully for them, and predictably, emotions come in between, causing a conflict in running the business together.

The love conflict is not new, but the treatment given on the subject, and the whole execution of the movie is fresh and commendable. Also, the movie has a fairly fast pace where there is no dull moment. However, I wish the ending would have been handled a different way, but I guess the director did not want to opt for clichéd ways.

Anushka is very pleasant to watch, and she is looking very good in her simple girl-next-door getups, some scenes even with minimal makeup. Ranveer does his role well too, but seeing his interview on Koffee With Karan, it almost feels like he acted as himself.

Highly recommended rom-com!

Happiness and smile was, what spread in the theater during most of the parts of the movie and this is why you go to some multiplex. The BBB earns full marks on this front. It is not a nonsense comedy which is pestering Bollywood from last 2-3 years. Neither is this, some intense, provoking, thoughtful movie. BBB is a very colorful, commercial and typical bollywood style movie which has a cute girl with a Desi Guy. It wonderfully depicts the confused mind of both of them when they have to decide on their career and love. It has romance, love, comedy, emotional drama(Thanks God, it didn't last long) and finally a heavenly pleasant happy ending.

BBB is the movie of a college girl who is utterly ambitious about staring her own Wedding Management company and a guy, who fell for her during a wedding and situations lead both of them to become partners in their newly started venture "Shadi Mubarak". How their relationship go through various Ups and Downs is shown as movie progress.

Talking about the performances, firstly Ranveer Singh deserves huge amount of accolades for his awesome acting. He never seamed like working in his debut project. He was very natural and confident throughout the movie. Anuska Sharma had shown some promise in her last flick "Badmash Company" and this movie certainly raises the bar for her. She did a commendable job in the movie, with her energetic presence and freshness. Wonderful acting by her.

Though the movie overall captivate the mind of the audience, its second half has some lose moments where one can feel bored. First half of the movie is pleasantly wonderful. Music of the movie maintains the speed and carries the freshness of BBB.

Delhi people are anyway loving this movie as Delhi places and other famous things are referenced in various frames. It is a nice movie to watch and surely adding up to a very small list of good movies in 2010.

Excellent romantic comedy, with great performances and the very entertaining backdrop of the Delhi wedding planning industry. I think both the new director (Maneesh) and lead actor (Ranvir) should do very well in their careers, and the film proves that Bollywood should stop throwing it's untalented families of non-actors at the celluloid screen each week. Imagine how competent the pool of stars would be in the industry if we had fewer sons, bhanjas and bhatijas to contend with. Anushka, too, is a prized possession, as is the brilliant complement of supporting actors in this movie (like Maqsood Bhai and the entertaining troupe of rich spoilt brides-to-be). Songs were tons of fun, and though the film does de-generate into a typical unbelievable filmi affair near the end, you don't mind. It's all for the much needed happy ending.