Before we begin to 'dissect' 'Ladies vs Ricky Bahl', let's clear a few
misconceptions. The rumor goes that 'Ladies vs Ricky Bahl' seeks inspiration
from 'John Tucker Must Die'. Incidentally, the same was said about Yash Raj's
youth-centric banner, Y-Films' first venture 'Luv Ka The End'. There's talk that
'Ladies vs Ricky Bahl' also borrows from another movie, 'Spread' and also from
Jeffrey Archer's novel 'Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less'. In the existing
circumstances, making a bare-faced rip off would be blasphemous. However, I'd
like to add, 'Ladies vs Ricky Bahl' takes the same route as Yash Raj's earlier
success 'Bunty Aur Babli'. Actually, there's no commonality between 'Bunty Aur
Babli' and 'Ladies vs Ricky Bahl', except that both have the con angle as the
wallpaper. But comparisons apart, it's a novel, contemporary tale [story: Aditya
Chopra].
Dimple [Parineeti Chopra], a brash Delhi girl falls in love with Sunny, a
fitness trainer. Raina [Dipannita Sharma], an independent and successful
corporate woman in Mumbai, does business with an art dealer Deven. Saira [Aditi
Sharma], a hard working widow in Lucknow, makes a new friend, the shy Iqbal.
Three different girls who get taken for a ride by three different men.
The problem is, it is actually one man -- Ricky Bahl [Ranveer Singh], a suave
and charming con-man, who revels in the game and is only chasing money.
A chance encounter brings these three women together, who vow to track down
Ricky Bahl and get their money back. The next step is the actual plan. Enter
Ishika [Anushka Sharma], a young and ambitious girl. The game is set in
Goa...
If the promos give an indication that it's just another con flick or an
extension of 'Band Baaja Baaraat', you're in for a bolt from the blue. It's not!
What's common is that 'Ladies vs Ricky Bahl' also has ingeniously written
characters and some truly engaging moments. While the first story [involving
Parineeti] stands out, the second story [Dipannita] is strictly okay, while the
third [Aditi] is not as convincing.
'Ladies vs Ricky Bahl' is a film of today and the women here are not abla
naaris who will sit back and weep, but seek vengeance or at least get even with
the offender. However, the screenplay [Devika Bhagat] isn't able to tap the
potential that the plot provides. That's because the ploys that Anushka and her
gang of girls employ to get even with Ranveer come across as preposterous and
outlandish at times. Because the tricks played by the girls are unreal than
sensible, even the youngsters may not really enjoy the drama in its entirety.
Also, the film dips in the post-interval portions and tends to get sluggish as
well. Fortunately, the director ensures that the film gets back on track and
rounds off with a pounding culmination.
Director Maneesh Sharma has handled a number of sequences expertly. The start
[the Delhi episode] is most enjoyable and the concluding portions are equally
captivating. It's the in between that vacillates between ordinary and absorbing.
Coming from Maneesh Sharma, the director of one of the best films of 2010, one
expected a lot more meat from the proceedings. Habib Faisal's dialogues are
incredibly witty, with the humor delicately woven in the one-liners. Music
composers Salim-Sulaiman and lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya join hands to create
high-octane, full-of-energy tracks. 'Aadat Se Majboor' and 'Jazba' are vibrant,
while 'Thug Le', during the end credits, stands out for its choreography. Aseem
Mishra's cinematography is top notch.
'Ladies vs Ricky Bahl' projects Anushka in immaculate light, bestowing her
the opportunity to ascertain yet another facet of her persona, which was
hitherto unidentified by spectators. Exuding solid screen presence, Anushka wows
you with her natural elucidation of the character. Ranveer is the scene stealer
here. He's charismatic, spontaneous and glides into his character with amazing
ease. He, most definitely, has the aptitude to go places if he chooses the right
films and makes the accurate career moves.
Parineeti Chopra springs a pleasant surprise. She has wonderful screen
presence and acts freely. In fact, the viewers would take to her character
instantly. Dipannita Sharma carries off her part with poise and grace, while
Aditi Sharma is subdued, but natural to the core. The actor enacting the role of
Parineeti's father is first-rate.
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 likeable 'Band Baaja Baaraat'.
Source: mns
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