Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl

Very disappointing.... I expect something good as BBB Film.... Wellthis time they are not a winner...

On the whole, LADIES VS RICKY BAHL is, at best, a decent fare, which appeals in parts. The film starts well, even ends well. It's the in between that's plain ordinary. One definitely expected more from the director of the immensely likable BAND BAAJA BAARAAT. Ideally, the film merits a two-and-a-half star rating, but that extra half star is for Ranveer and Anushka, who steal your heart with truly striking performances.

Best luck next time

After three films under the Yash Raj banner, Anushka Sharma returns to the fold with her fifth film to date, reuniting with director Maneesh Sharma and co-star Ranveer Singh in what would be his second outing after their successful pairing and collaboration in Band Baaja Baaraat which turned out to be a sleeper hit last year, scoring nominations and awards for the filmmaker and his cast alike. Seeking to repeat that success, it unfortunately repeated what Hollywood had done with John Tucker Must Die with a trio of ladies plotting revenge over a guy, but over here it's not to get even because their hearts got broken, but more to get even because of the money he had swindled from them.

And to do so, they band together to hire a glib tongue who can out-con the con man himself, which is where Anushka Sharma sashays her way into the film only at the hour mark, being that perfect brains and beauty combination to exact revenge for her employers against someone who is falling dangerously for her, and vice versa, compromising the situation at hand especially when such risky undertakings involving money, deals and counter-deals may jolly well tempt one against one's original intent, and loyalty. Anushka played her role of a salesgirl turned fake hotel heiress as bait to perfection, this being her second con game role after the stint in Badmaa$h Company, calling for that level of confidence and vulnerability, and sharing that believable chemistry with Ranveer Singh once again, and if gossip rags are right up your alley then it's of little surprise this happens to be so. Ranveer on the other hand has a number of avatars to live up to as the titular suave conman who cheats on women as a game,

The first half is where the story patiently built itself up, giving ample time for Ranveer's other co-stars to show what they can do. Priyanka Chopra's cousin Parineeti Chopra makes her debut here as a student whose blind loyalty to and puppy love for her fitness trainer boyfriend Sunny Singh (Ranveer) made her the youngest and the easiest of targets. Dipannita Sharma as Raina is that ruthless businesswoman who strives to succeed at all costs, and her pride being punctured when art dealer Deven Shah (Ranveer again) sold her a renowned fake painting, and widower Saira (Aditi Sharma) got duped into believing the shy Iqbal Khan (Ranveer once more) comes with an honest heart in wanting trade in textiles with her family. To each of the girl scorned and to battle for their honour and money, they find each other by chance and plot to get their money back. And that's where Anuhka's Ishika Desai comes in.

Did I mention this film requires a stretch of believability, because there's always that ample opportunity for a more thorough research being done by the characters involving background checks and legal documentation since the con they get themselves engaged in hinges very much on contracts and valuation, unless one can blame inexperience, and going up against one of the most successful conmen meant some facts can possibly be glossed over. That aside, the narrative unfortunately sagged in the second half when a spanner gets thrown in the works, and while Anushka and Ranveer may look good together on screen, it's the journey of getting there where you'd expect their characters to fall in love coming too abruptly as if in a rush for time.

Still, the themes are still top notch for a romantic film, touching on regret and that one shouldn't see lonely women as marks to get into a seduction game, that the price of being conned of cash is one aspect of being hurt, but the emotional scars left behind are something else possibly more potent altogether. That, and the value of trust and one's word, how easily that can be broken way easily than to build up on. There's also a subtle jab at all things branded, when they can be easily replicated with a little bit of skill and help, having humbler items pass off as the real thing, in a way making a statement against all things ostentatious. The songs are all contemporary and catchy, but largely forgettable once you step out of the hall, while costumes and dresses just show why Anushka Sharma is quite the clotheshorse.

Yash Raj Films may be looking to strike gold again with the direction and pairing of Anushka and Ranveer, but the truth is an equally compelling script is paramount to exploit their natural chemistry to the fullest. Ladies vs Ricky Bahl was quite the roller coaster ride narratively, and it's really thanks to the leading actors' chemistry that saved the film from becoming a downer, keeping it afloat and coasting along without surpassing expectations. But it's a must for fans of Band Baaja Baaraat hungry to see both Anushka and Ranveer on screen together again.

It was an era when Yash Raaj was mastered in Love Troika Films but since Dhoom they are continuously targeting relatively young audience and this is again a movie especially target the youth but has entertainment for all ages. People liked the on-screen chemistry between Anushka & Ranveer and greatly applauded by masses in Band Baja Barat and once again the couple is spontaneous. This is not a classic, this is not a big but a medium size film and have all ingredients to make it entertaining. Songs are great, story is good and the performance are also good but the girl in the role of Dimple (Parineeti Chopra) will inspire you with her innocence. Director Mahish Sharma who was also the director of Band Baja Barat seems still in the trans of her previous hit.

Script is not much powerful but the performance of all five main characters cover this weakness and songs added worth to watch it. You can spare some time to watch it one time and you won't be conned through this con-movie.

'Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl' is A Decent Entertainer, that works in parts. The First-Hour is quite entertaining, but the Second-Hour isn't really arresting. However, it's a film that will pass your time.

'Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl' Synopsis: A charismatic fraudster who cons ladies for a living finally meets his match when a bunch of his conquests form an equally crafty plan.

'Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl' has a winning first-hour, which is full of entertaining moments. The 1st chapter is engaging, the 2nd chapter is fair, while the 3rd chapter is quick yet effective. The problem with this film, starts in it's second-hour. The entire thing of getting back to the Con-Man to teach him a lesson, is not that entertaining. Even the climax for that matter, looks superficial. Aditya Chopra's Story is watchable, but not memorable. Maneesh Sharma's Direction is good. Cinematography & Editing are passable. Music by Salim-Sulaiman, is energetic.

Performance-Wise: Ranveer Singh is impressive. The actor performs his part with confidence from start to end. Anushka Sharma enters the scene late, yet does a fair job. Parineeti Chopra makes a terrific debut. Her comic-timing is just perfect. Dipannita Sharma is appropriate. Aditi Sharma is nicely restrained. Others lend support.

On the whole, 'Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl' is, at best, a time-pass fare, that works in parts.

Again a Yash Raj movie,again a Maneesh Sharma film,again Anushka-Ranveer pairing that worked wonders in Band Baaja Baraat,but on the contrary Ladies vs Ricky Bahl never has that element of magic that BBB had.Of course u can blame Anushka coming to the fore in the second half,but the movie actually subsides in the second half itself not only because of some boring sequences but the predictability the movie creates as we rush through second half.First half is fun-filled specially because of the presence of Parineeti Chopra (Priyanka's cousin) and it never ever seems its her first movie.Ranveer as always is impressive not only in conning girls but flaunting his body with those 8 pack abs.Dipannita and Aditi have done commendable jobs.Anushka(especially in the black bikini)looks hot.Songs are OK.Overall the movie could have been better in the second half.Go for it only if you are an ardent fan of Ranveer.I go with 6/10