Bala

Amar Kaushik's second venture, Bala (given Hindi pet name; hair connotation), is a solidly made comedy drama that commentates about the critical social stigmas currently plaguing the country (and the world) and uses the perfect possible container to deliver it, by centralizing itself around a young balding self-conscious bachelor (Ayushmann Khurrana) from a city in Uttar Paradesh, and providing enough entertainment to sit back and relax but still uses a formulaic approach that dampens the enjoyment and which is, however, second only to the horrendous, unbearable makeup work (on Bhumi Pednekar) involved in it. TN.

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

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.

A must watch. Excellent screenplay and storyline. Well done to the makers of this film.

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.