Delhi Belly

I had liked Abhinav Deo's GAME too for its style and had not known at that time that he was directing DELHI BELLY or was from the advertising world. I mention this fact about being from the world of advertising because this would factor into the director's understanding of urban realities, most of all the language of real life.

Language is the MAIN character of this movie. The plot, the actors, the music, the songs, the chases-- all lean heavily on language and that's the most unique feature of this film. The language of the by now infamous lyrics, the "heroes" and the "villains" alike reflects the grim, gritty, sometimes squalid reality of urban India and translates it into images that are at once shocking, disgusting, entertaining and creatively ingenious.

Once the director has decided that he is going to use this language (both literally as well as metaphorically) he has complete freedom to depict urban realities-- sexual, emotional, physical, financial, marital, professional et al. The film is funny because beneath all the crudities and cuss words lies the recognition of ourselves in our day to day life, its frustrations, the curve balls that it throws us from time to time and our desperate attempts to keep our sanity in a completely insane world.

In a recent interview, Abhinav Deo thanked Amir Khan for his vision. This vision is possible only in a man who has the creative genius to shed the hypocrisy and double entrendres of Bollywood cinema and move on to a cinematic form that is so completely in tune with the 21st century India, the metamorphosis of our youth, the blurring lines that divide morality (as we knew it) from immorality, even amorality, cynicism from romanticism and so on.

The movie from start to finish is tightly held together. The cast is well chosen and so are the locales. Nothing jars in the movie. People look as much at home in a five star hotel as they do in the clogged by lanes and streets of Old Delhi. The screenplay is tautly held together by an equally taut editing. I loved Vijay Raaz who is able to depict the malevolence of a sleepy looking but deadly reptile with such finesse, the two young men who share Imran's filthy apartment and the young woman who tempts Imran to break his engagement. The contrast between the old Maruti and the red new (Santro?) car that can zip through the flyovers of Delhi is as meaningful as the black eye that Imran sports through most of the film.

I am sure some reviewers and certain sections of the audience will slam the movie for various reasons. But that is because the movie is ahead of its time and will make people uncomfortable because of its iconoclastic nature. I salute Amir and his team for this and wish them many many years of great film making.

I heard what people have said about this movie. People said that how could Amir Khan produce this kind of movie. They also said that after Blockbuster movies like "Ghajini" and "3 idiots", why has he made this kind of movie. But it is one of the finest movies of our bollywood industry. Some people might have problem with the language used in it, but its language is the soul of its movie. While the original version was in "Hinglish", a Hindi dubbed version was also released. The film is about three friends, journalist Tashi (Imran Khan), photographer Nitin Berry (Kunnal Roy Kapur) and cartoonist Arup (Vir Das). The whole story starts with delivery of a package. Tashi's ditzy fiancée, Sonia, is an air hostess who agrees to deliver that package for the villain (Vijay Raj) without realizing its content. Later the bag containing that package is mixed up with other bag and then Vijay Raj tortures people to find his package. The acting of all the actors was splendid. Vir Das and Kunaal Roy Kapur were quite impressive. Although Imran Khan was in lead but the supporting actors were superb. Vijay Raj did amazing comedy although he was in role of villain. His dialogues were astonishing. Abhinay Deo and Akshat Verma were the directors of this movie and they did appreciable job. Akshat Verma is also the writer of this movie. The screenplay was original which knows the difference between physical comedy and slapstick humor. The music of the film was composed by Ram Sampath while the lyrics were penned by Amitabh bhattacharya,Ram Sampath, Akshat Verma and Chetan Shashital. The song "Bhaag D.K. Bose" created controversy upon its release. Whatever media says or people say but this movie amazed everyone. Super fun. Full Respect.

It's barely half an hour since I left the movie theater, and I'll say this - I could easily buy tickets for the rest of shows for the day and watch this movie over and over.

The whole ensemble of cast has done an awesome job. Right from the extra you see in the background to Imran Khan. Vijay Raaz really defines the term "effortless acting". Right from the start of the movie it is shown just how the real world is. Delhi Belly is unpredictable. You probably won't even try to predict what will happen next because you will be too busy trying to drink in the explosion of humor on screen.

It (the movie) is really bold in some areas. I actually am still wondering how it got through the Censor Board without taking out the stuff that I saw. If this movie has an uncensored version, I would buy it in the blink of an eye.

I am quite ecstatic that Aamir has branched out from the typical movies he produces to invest in something so uncanny. Bollywood really needs more movies like Delhi Belly. Not the pretentious love stories with the ridiculous fantastical songs every ten minutes. If you haven't watched it yet, open a new tab right now and book tickets. Really, open a new tab...NOW!!

I'd rate this movie 11/10 if it were possible.

The bad:

I am not totally against the use of bad language in films - some times it is totally appropriate - but I think there were times in this movie when it was just being used for the sake of it, and/or just to get cheap laughs from teenagers who still find the use of the F-word funny. One thing I love about Bollywood is it manages to get laughs with having to resort to bad language - and long may it remain that way.

The good:

The plot is fast-paced and it gets down to business pretty much from the get-go. I was watching it with my 17 year-old son and he thoroughly enjoyed it (maybe he is the target audience for gross-out comedy). It has some classic comedic moments and there were many times I laughed out loud.

If you enjoyed Hangover then this is likely to be something you'll enjoy too.

I did watch it with sub-titles on, but from what I can remember the dialog is almost all in English. Maybe this was to try and give it wider appeal.

Bollywood has taken a big bold step with this movie , and once again , it was Aamir Khan who showed the way! He not only gave a movie that will be talked about for quite a long time , but again came to Imran's rescue, to give him a re-launch he desperately needed!

Every thing new has been tried , with the language being 90% English , the occasional Hindi comes out in the forms of those "terms of endearment" , and the lingo is something that we all dig! This one has fresh comedy, is stylish , and is worth a repeat view! All the performances were worth-watching ,especially the trio and Vijay Raaz 's !

Watch out for the "Ja Churail" number, its frigging hilarious!! And the one-liners too!