Sanket’s Review: “Shirin-Farhad ki toh nikal padi” has unstable charm.

Cast: Farah Khan, Boman Irani

Director: Bela Bhansali Sehgal

Length: 1.50hours approximately.

In this modern age of Bollywood, its very seldom that you see a middle aged couple romancing on screen. This week’s new outing named SHIRIN FARHAD KI TOH NIKAL PADI is that rare film which focuses on a middle aged couple who are on a love searching spree. The best part of the film is its unapologetic about its over-the-top moments and sugar-coated dollop of emotions. But not everything goes right about this film, thanks to half dozen of songs in this just 110 minutes long film!

The film doesn’t take much of the duration to start up with the vital things. The “Indira-Gandhi” lover part is actually amusing, but after a time its annoying too! Anyways, as soon as Farah Khan enters the screen, the film goes to a new high especially because the connection between the love birds is so routine and inherently innocent. The humor many times hang around Boman Irani’s profession of being salesmen of bra and panty. But the director shows some maturity in the relationship with not throwing the couple in “let-me-say-I-love-you-first” situation just for the heck of it. Instead she wants her audience to realize that these guys have already committed to each other.

But things go weird post-intermission when things get dragged. Especially the end, where an unnecessary interruption by neighbors only expands the length! Although, there are few very good dramatic moments, but for most of the second half it gets bit off the mark. But this is getting as order of the day in very rom-com these days. You have to go through some poor moments to complete this film, no matter how fabulous the first half was.

The music is strictly ordinary. “Ishq mei kabhi kabhi” and “Rambha mei Sambha” are the only two songs which are good on ears. Choreography of “Rambha mei sambha” deserves special mention. The story is too simple, but the screenplay has some holes, especially because there are some unanswered questions in first half. The director knows her job and she does it very well.

Though the film has an unstable charm to its approach, still, it’s an decent affair thanks to the couple who has sparkling connection in their relationship. Boman Irani handles his emotional scenes with aplomb. He suits his role well. Farah Khan makes an impressive debut and a confident as well. She effortlessly essays the role and compliments Boman Irani very well. Another good thing about this film is that the film is set in a Parsi atmosphere with almost all are real life Parsis. This helps to get indulged with characters immediately. Boman  Irani’s mom, played by Daisy Irani too gives a good support to the film.

All in all, it’s a film that has ups and downs. The overuse of songs definitely chops away the sweetness and glory of this otherwise decent film. Go for it if you could pardon its shortcomings.

Rating- 2.5/5 (Above Average).