Befikre Movie Review: You Just Can’t Help Yourself From Falling For Ranveer Singh’s Charm!

Cast: Ranveer Singh, Vaani Kapoor

Director: Aditya Chopra

Producers: Aditya Chopra

Writer: Aditya Chopra, Sharat Katariya (dialogues)

What's Yay: Ranveer Singh, the stunning locales of Paris, peppy music

What's Nay: Wafer-thin plot, clichéd second half

Popcorn Refill: Interval

The Iconic Moment: Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor's tango-ish dance scene simmering with a lot of sexual tension. These two pull off those sexy dance moves with so much ease that you are left completely spell-bound.

Plot: Befikre opens with a string of kisses between people from different walks of life and age on the streets of Paris, with 'Labon Ka Karobaar' playing in the background.

Cut to, we see Dharam (Ranveer Singh), clad only in a short black boxer brief, indulging in an ugly spat with his live-in girlfriend, Shyra (Vaani Kapoor). The latter storms out of the apartment to move in back with her parents after Dharam ends up saying something offensive in a fit of anger.

The film then keeps flipping between the past and the present for a brief period to unfold how it all began.

Dharam, a Punjabi munda from Delhi's Karol Bagh moves to Paris to work as a stand-up comedian at his friend's bar called 'Delhi Belly'. However, the boy decides to have some fun before work and lands up at a party. While desperately trying to get a girl to go home with him for the night, he bumps into Shyra, an Indian girl born and raised in Paris who works as a tourist guide. She gets smitten by his honest approach and dares him to meet a challenge. He wins. The two drink, dance and enjoy a wild romp.

But, party's over the next morning. In a role-of-reversal, Shyra tells Dharam that she isn't keen to enter a relationship as she has just been through a break-up. But hey, Dharam too is looking out for some 'no-strings-attached' moments.

Post a couple of 'dares' and some 'Befikre' dancing, the two decide to Ne dis jamais je t'aime (never say I love you) and instead move in together. But soon they realize that they are incompatible.

The volatile lovers part ways on an ugly note only to meet again. Apologies follow next and this time, the exes decide to become friends instead. But, will the ghost of their past linger over their new relationship? The rest of the film has an answer to that.

Direction: Aditya Chopra's latest outing is very unlike his previous flicks. The man whose stable is known for giving us chiffon-clad heroines, snow-clad romance and feeding us the concept of perfect soulmates and 'janam-janam ka saath', this time tries to catch the pulse of the young heartbeats of Gen-X with his take on modern-day relationships.

Befikre is his boldest film till date in terms of visualization and one must mention here that the Censor Board too has come a long way when it comes to depiction of romance on the silver screen. This time, there is no chop-chop when it comes to kissing and making out scenes. (Cheers, to that!). Adi has dared to venture out of his comfort zone and succeeds in it to some extent.

Acting: Ranveer Singh is a total sparkler and keeps you glued to the screen! His goofiness and charming ways leave you floored and you just can't help yourself from going 'aww.' He saves the ship from sinking when the writing takes a backseat. His character in the film has its own set of flaws but Ranveer lets go of all his inhibitions when it comes to portraying it on-screen and that's what makes you fall in love with his Dharam,

Vaani Kapoor stumbles a bit when it comes to matching up to her co-star's energy but still puts up an impressive act (barring a couple of accent slip-offs here and there).

Other Technical Aspects: Old wine in a new bottle. The writing of the film falls prey to this trap. While the first half is an enjoyable, sexy ride with some crackling dialogues, the film takes a different turn post interval. The fun fizzles out and all you are left with is some not-so-pleasant taste.

Befikre borrows heavily from many films based on modern-day romance and even carries some hangover from YRF's own flicks. (DDLJ, Band Baaja Baraat, to name a few).

What is more disheartening is that Aditya Chopra fails to give us a memorable climax! The slapstick comedy in the church scene just before the end looks wooden and forced and you wonder if the director was in a hurry to just wrap up the film. Minus points for this mess, please!

Kaname Onoyama's cinematography captures the free-spirited energy of Parisian streets with panache.

Namrata Rao's taut editing makes sure that you don't fidget in your seats when there's nothing left to explore more with the flimsy plot.

Music: Nashe Se Chadh Gayi and Ude Dil Befikre will make you want to hit the dance floors with its catchy beats and addictive tunes. Labon Ka Karobaar and Je t'aime is for the days when romance is on your mind. You & Me makes up for a good hear too.

Verdict: To put it in words, watching Befikre is like bungee-jumping. It's best enjoyed only if you get soaked in its carefreeness without worrying for a smooth (flawless) landing!