Audience Verdict
Billu, earlier known as Billu Barber, has been a highly anticipated film since its inception and one doused in controversy as well. The day every Shah Rukh Khan fan and movie buff was waiting for, finally arrived and how.
Billu saw an encouraging turnout in its first day first show with majority of audience leaving the theatre looking pleased. The reactions varied from 'great movie' to 'a lovely film' to of course 'I love Shah Rukh Khan!' Many said that the film struck the right emotional chords.
In India, Shah Rukh Khan is a brand; he sells. Once again he has proved it with his home production Billu.
myPOPKORN's Review
Funny in parts and quite a tearjerker towards the end, Billu is Irrfan Khan's film all the way. The actor impresses with his portrayal of a village barber caught between the lure of 'stardom' in the villagers' eyes and an essentially self deprecating disposition.
Shah Rukh Khan's dance numbers with his leading ladies could have simply been avoided as they appear quite forced, with the actor doing inane action scenes and simply reveling in his 'superstardom' throughout. Especially since Pritam's music hasn't lived up to expectations this time. The frontbenchers, though, might bite the bait considering the fan following that Deepika, Priyanka and Kareena can boast of.
With posters of Dil Se and DDLJ being flashed in the film, one wonders why Shah Rukh preferred to be called Sahil Khan, instead of calling himself SRK and being done with it - the audience might have at least identified with the character.
Lara Dutta doesn't have much of a role, although she does manage to fit in well in a deglam avatar. Asrani is wasted.
Cinematography and editing is passable, barring a few abrupt scene changes and unexplained jumps in the storyline.
Having said all this, compared to the kind of mindless entertainment we're being subjected to so often, you can certainly put this one on your list of 'watchable' films this year.
Priyadarshan is back in his element and manages to pull off some extremely funny scenes which will have the audience rolling in the isles.
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