Priyadarshan
is
synonymous
with
ha-ha-thons,
but
the
talented
storyteller
has
been
equally
proficient
while
handling
intense
dramas
like
Saza-E-Kala
Pani,
Gardish
and
Virasat.
Like
Virasat
and
Malamaal
Weekly,
Billu,
the
accomplished
director's
new
outing,
is
also
set
in
a
hamlet.
Although
the
story
has
been
attempted
in
Malayalam
[Kadha
Parayumbol]
and
Tamil
[Kuselan]
earlier,
the
story
actually
takes
its
inspiration
from
the
legendary
friendship
between
Lord
Krishna
and
Sudama.
In
this
case,
the
story
talks
of
the
friendship
between
a
superstar
and
an
ordinary
mortal
who
runs
a
salon.
Billu
is
a
simple
story
about
simple
people,
told
in
the
most
simplistic
manner.
There's
a
generous
dose
of
glamour
as
well,
given
the
fact
that
the
protagonist's
friend
happens
to
be
a
superstar,
but
what
actually
works
for
the
film
is
the
simpleton's
story.
He
wages
a
daily
battle
to
make
ends
meet.
Although
the
film
is
engaging,
Priyadarshan
reserves
the
best
for
the
finale
this
time,
when
the
superstar
reminisces
about
his
childhood
friend
and
the
deep
bond
that
they
shared.
The
end
is
remarkable
and
is
sure
to
strike
a
chord
with
all
sections
of
moviegoers.
Final
word?
Billu
is
amongst
Priyadarshan's
finest
works.
And
also
Irrfan
and
SRK's.
This
tale
of
friendship
is
sure
to
steal
your
heart!
Billu
tells
the
story
of
a
simple
ordinary
man,
Bilas
Rao
Pardesi
[Irrfan
Khan],
living
in
a
small
town
with
his
wife
Bindiya
[Lara
Dutta]
and
two
kids.
His
life
undergoes
a
drastic
change
as
superstar
Sahir
Khan
[Shahrukh
Khan]
visits
the
village
for
a
film
shoot.
Everything
changes.
Things
go
from
good
to
bad
to
worse
to
good
again.
Ten
minutes
into
the
film
and
you
get
absorbed
into
Billu's
small
world.
The
salon
is
in
bad
shape,
the
family
is
facing
tough
times,
the
neighbours
and
acquaintances
are
fair-weather
friends...
Billu's
life
gets
grim
with
each
passing
day.
The
story
takes
an
interesting
turn
when
Billu's
life
collides
with
the
superstar's.
And
the
assorted
characters
right
from
an
aspiring
poet/lyricist
[Rajpal
Yadav],
to
a
stingy
money
lender
[Om
Puri],
to
the
principal
of
the
school
[Rasika
Joshi]
everyone
wants
favours
from
Billu.
These
characters
only
make
Billu
more
interesting.
SRK's
track
is
equally
fascinating
and
only
spices
up
the
proceedings.
In
fact,
Priyadarshan
has
amalgamated
the
three
songs
[featuring
SRK
with
Deepika,
Priyanka
and
Kareena]
in
the
narrative
smartly.
Not
once
do
you
feel
that
you're
watching
two
stories
concurrently.
The
best
part
of
the
enterprise
is
its
climax.
The
superstar
recalls
his
humble
beginning
and
how
his
friend
stood
by
him
in
times
of
crisis.
The
writing
is
brilliant
and
SRK
only
takes
the
scene
to
greater
heights
with
his
terrific
portrayal.
Priyadarshan
is
adept
at
handling
relationships
and
with
Billu,
he
proves
he
can
handle
emotions
with
as
much
flourish
as
comedy.
To
tell
a
simple,
uncomplicated
story,
without
the
usual
frills,
is
an
arduous
task
indeed
and
Priyadarshan
tackles
the
material
with
remarkable
ease.
The
humour
here
is
subtle,
not
loud,
and
a
constant
smile
remains
on
your
face
all
through.
Mushtaq
Shiekh
and
Priyadarshan's
screenplay
is
foolproof.
In
fact,
the
writing
never
loses
focus
and
the
highs
and
the
lows
in
Billu's
life
are
sensitively
penned
by
the
duo.
Manisha
Korde's
dialogues
are
simple,
gelling
with
the
mood
of
the
film.
Pritam's
music
is
energetic.
The
songs,
promoted
aggressively
prior
to
the
release,
only
get
an
impetus
thanks
to
the
presence
of
the
three
actresses.
'Mar
Jaani'
and
'Love
Mera
Hit
Hit'
are,
of
course,
the
pick
of
the
lot.
V.
Manikandan's
cinematography
is
top
notch.
The
locales
[Pollachi]
are
breath-taking.
In
the
recent
years,
Irrfan
has
emerged
as
a
force
to
reckon
with,
his
performances
have
appealed
to
all
strata
of
moviegoers
and
his
work
in
Billu
will
only
cement
his
status
as
a
remarkable
actor.
Shahrukh
Khan
needs
to
be
admired
for
two
reasons.
The
show
belongs
to
Irrfan,
although
SRK
could've
forced
himself
in
every
scene.
Also,
he
has
chosen
to
opt
for
a
film
that's
not
one
of
those
run-of-the-mill
types.
In
terms
of
performance,
SRK
shows
his
true
potential
towards
the
finale.
Lara
Dutta
springs
a
pleasant
surprise.
She
goes
through
her
part
with
complete
understanding.
Om
Puri
is
excellent.
Rasika
Joshi
is
too
good.
Rajpal
Yadav
is
really
funny
in
the
penultimate
scene,
when
he
recites
a
film
song
of
an
SRK
film.
Asrani
and
Manoj
Joshi
are
passable.
On
the
whole,
Billu
is
a
sweet-n-simple
film
that
lingers
in
your
memory
even
after
the
show
has
concluded.
The
final
20
minutes
are
the
highpoint
of
the
enterprise
and
that
elevates
the
status
of
the
film
to
great
heights.
The
film
has
the
potential
to
grow
with
a
strong
word
of
mouth.
Recommended...
Take
your
family
for
this
one!