Baar Baar Dekho

Debutante Nitya Mehra juxtaposes elements that are generally associated with science fiction, fantasy, and romance, and carves out a story that looks and feels very familiar to the audience at large.

Jai (Sidharth Malhotra) is a Mathematics professor who is in a ridiculously long and maintained relationship with Diya (Katrina Kaif), a modern art painter who is never shown using a paintbrush, even once. Jai wants to continue the relationship with his childhood sweetheart, but considers his career more important. Since he is also slightly unorthodox and possibly agnostic, he kicks up a storm with the pandit (priest) regarding the "saath phere" ("seven rounds around the holy fire which generally bonds marriages in Hindusim"). And we are told that this might be the cause why he dozes off after a life-changing tiff with Diya later that day and ends up waking up on his honeymoon, ten days later.

Baar Baar Dekho is essentially NOT a time travel flick. Rather, it is a partly science fictional and fantasy narrative involving a man who is partially cursed by a Hindu priest to teach him a lesson why the "saath phere" is important and why he should also focus on the small things in life. Jai flip-flops between his life, specifically touching the years 2023, 2034, and 2047, which makes him realize what he's been missing out and how his life would turn out to be if he continues to "not focus on the small things in life." Science fiction kicks in in terms of swanky, modular cars, sleek architectures, and good-looking technology. Having said that, it is also a romantic drama in part where Jai and Diya romance, and engage in matrimony, also unsuccessfully trying to embrace realism.

The film starts off very jubilantly, with a ballad-like, tuneful song serenading the audience to the lives of the protagonists as they grow up to be the bearers of the story. It is a delight to watch Malhotra and Kaif maneuver their characters effortlessly, supported by well-directed co-stars whose primary attribute is an all-smiles, if not exaggerated, faces. Ms. Mehra writes the romance well, but falters in the second part when Jai has to learn lessons and apply them in his life to make things right. While the story is definitely inspired by Frank Coraci's Click (2006) and Harold Ramis' Groundhog Day (1993), one wonders if it reaches any of the levels broken by those two classics. Conclusively, the story is neither novel nor awe-inspiring.

Malhotra is clueless throughout the film despite being a Mathematician who was last seen watching Ron Howard's A Beautiful Mind (2001). His character is half-baked, while Kaif gets into a type of character that she is evidently very comfortable in. She is charming in the first half. Ram Kapoor and Sarika both are pleasing. Shout out to Rohan Joshi for debuting, and Sayani Gupta for laddering up.

The film, if at all, teaches one to consider the small things in life and take merry in them, rather than working toward the big things, which may be too elusive and unworthy. Family is important than one's job as our Jai finds out the hard way, even though he knows how much 546 multiplied by 48 is. I know, that's what Mathematicians in Cambridge do, right!? Multiplication!

All in all, Baar Baar Dekho will work for an Indian viewer because there is enough dance and romance to get him through the first half. Even if he understands the concept, the second half is slightly boring and formulaic, with no importance given to his patience level, who may be forced to think why he didn't go for Sohail Khan's Freaky Ali (2016) instead.

BOTTOM LINE: Nitya Mehra's Baar Baar Dekho is a film about a man's fantasy which is caused by his ignorance to make him understand what life is. But, you know, one man's fantasy is other man's... Wait for DVD, and then rent it.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Title suits perfectly, as character Jai (Siddharth) is given a chance to correct his life in time travel. Something different from regular crappy movies. Definitely watchable, at least once. Loved the technology predictions for future used as part of movie. For Acting, Siddharth has done great job, while Katrina could have improved. Overall its a great learning to take from movie and also a fun watch. Never felt in whole time while watching movie to step out. Songs are well placed. Movie could is kind of faster as it feels small time is given to most scenes in particular age of his, should have been little more. I liked the movie.

well well Bollywood is not familiar with such kinda story. but i must say this is a very good attempt, although it is not so much entertaining but you will definitely see a very different type of story with a strong message about life, like your what is more important to you in life. Simply you don't know when your life is over..ENJOY THE EACH MOMENT..Katrina play good role , Siddhartha feel like lost in this movie, do not just see the movie feel it,live it and know, what the director want us to see.overall i will say to you its a one time watch at-least. Songs are good its flows as per the story and there are lots of week points in the movie. Over ALL it is good for one time watch.

Despite the fact "Baar Baar Dekho" is the remake of Hollywood blockbuster movie Groundhog day but a brave move by the movie maker to put such an experimental movie in Indian cinema. "Baar Baar Dekho" is a twisted movie and very well scripted but for the Indian box office it will fade out because the audience is still not ready for such "Hollywood" standards movies. Indian cinema still works on commercial movies like Dilwale, Rowdy Rathore, Dabang or movies which are full of unrealistic stories with unnecessary songs. So do watch it for a movie that could be much more better in terms of acting and direction but a nice movie for those families which not spend value-able time with each other.

So refreshing a movie, it was almost a surprise!! To the folks who have dismissed it as a TIME TRAVEL movie have obviously not understood it. It is NOT time travel but mind travel, or, simply speaking thought travel that makes the main character realize the value of his real love and what all he would want out of that relationship. Never in Hindi cinema has this concept been tried. There is no scientific explanation given to the fact as to why and how, and it is not even relevant, IF you try to understand and grasp the story line. Hats off to the new lady director who decided to take this one as a challenge, and has done a brilliant job. Watch this one with your girl/boyfriend, or even family, totally worth your time. I loved every minute of it. The songs and dance sequences are awesome too.