Bala

Bala - Kudos to Ayushman Khurana for doing it again. He seems to slide into roles that other mainstream actors would cringe at, with such fluency that mirrors reality, and Bala is yet another proof of his diverse talent. Bala (Ayushman), the young stud boy in school whose mane was his pride suffers from premature baldness, and this becomes the central issue of his life. He has to address the problem at any cost, but his inability to control the gradual decay throws his life into a disarray first, and then he descends into embarrassment. Unable to come to terms with the situation, he tries scores of remedies until he finds a solution that will give him enough solace to find the love of his life.

Without further going into the story it's pertinent to mention that Bala is a fantastic narrative of self pity and the process of coming to terms with the reality. The social stigmas associated with premature balding and being dark toned are still a matter of reality and the embarrassment or self pity is a result of shying away from accepting oneself for what he or she is. Director Amar Kaushik allows the problem and the eventual catharsis to slowly but steadily unfold, mostly using humour as a medium that keeps the proceedings light hearted. The purge is a poignant essay by Ayushman and Bhoomi Pednekar, both of whom give firecracker performances, whilst being ably supported by the extraordinary talent pool of Abhishek Banerjee, Javed Jaffrey, Saurabh Shukla and Seema Pahwa. Bala fills you with warmth and wisdom, and may at times seem to drag a little, but you won't mind it as it's not a caricatured treatment of premature balding or a comic take on it, but an in-depth psychoanalysis of a sufferer.

First of all, I'm totally amazed by scripts chosen by Ayushmann Khurana. A new age actor who doesn't do typical bollywood films. It's a great film. Society judges you by how you look. Character of Yami was beautifully written. A girl who only knows how to look good nothing else. Character of a person doesn't matter, only skin tone should be fair. Bhumi did a great job too. During second half, when Bala proposes Nitika on roof, I thought it was going to be a typical Bollywood film type climax but director did a terrific job. In a world, full of cheesy KJO or Srk/Salman movies, Ayushmann Khurana is a breeze of fresh air.

Bala is entertaining but it seems something is missing. Movie goes simple in first half but teaches a lot in second part. Do not watch with much expectation. Movie is not entertaining as DREAM GIRL over all a good watch

The film is all and all out entertainer but overstretched. Problem of baldness and dark coloured girls is hyped out of proportion and in the end remains short to deliver justifiable massage. Movie is for diehard fans of Ayushmann Khurana. Talent of Bhumi Pednekar is wasted. One time pass.

We are living in a world which is dominated by the beauty apps which might make you look like a celebrity and turn you into a person which world accepts but not you. We are so obsessed with I-want-to-always-look-good attitude that we forget about the inner quality. There are movies which you are eagerly awaiting after watching the trailer and then you will fall in love after actually seeing the movie. Bala definitely falls into the later category.

Bala tells the story of a balding prematurely guy and a dusky girl and their frustration with the fair-skinned dominated society..

After the brilliantly made Stree, Amar Kaushik chooses a subject which is fresh and interesting. Written and scripted by Niren Bhatt (writer of Marathi National Award winning movie, Ventilator, and hit sitcom Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma) and Ravi Shankar Muppa (co-writer of recent web series The Family Man) Bala is the perfect combination of comedy and philosophy. There are multiple hilarious scenes which will bring down the house and it is difficult to single out I would highly recommend to watch Bala in theater to hear the roar of the audience laughing at each scene (last I heard was from Tanu Weds Manu Returns). Though Bala is full of humor and entertainment, it successfully deals with social message of how an individual should be treated equally irrespective of complexion or other social stigma. The first half is full of hilarious moments and will make you curious while the second half is enduring.

I have always stressed on developing character details which is pivotal for the film's success and Bala succeeds in that. Every character is adequately defined- Right from Saurabh Shukla's role, actor who plays Ayushhmann Khurrana's brother's role, Seema Bharagava, Javed Jaffrey till Abhishek Banerjee - all of them have been wonderful in their part. Yami Gautam looks gorgeous and shines through out her role. Bhumi Pednekar is marvelous. This is her second film in a month (after Saand Ki Aankh) and she already has earned my respect. At the end of the day, Ayushmann Khurrana is the show-stopper of the film. The actor breathes and lives the character of Bala as if it was tailor made for him. The supremely talented actor will convince you to believe in his portrayal of Bala.

I have never laughed so much in recent times for a film. Go for it as Bala is the right dose of medicine for your laughter.

Must watch 4.5/5

-Ketan Gupta