By Hindustan Times
Direction: Bela Bhansali Sehgal
Actors: Boman Irani, Farah Khan, Kavin Dave, Shammi, Kurush Deboo, Daisy Irani
Rating:** 1/2
Bollywood traditionally doesn’t be aware of the affection stories of forty-plus men – unless their last name is Khan and the actress is no less than 20 years younger. So we must always give a round of applause to debutant director Bela Bhansali Sehgal for making a middle-aged love story. Sadly, the nice intentions are marred by a weak screenplay and limp execution. Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi is a sweet but slight love story that may be stretched such a lot that by the end, we not care if Shirin and Farhad live happily ever after or not.
Farhad, played by Boman Irani, is a forty five year-old undergarment salesman who still lives together with his mother and grandmother — he very sweetly describes them as ‘over-loving.’ His mother, played by Daisy Irani, nags him to eat, drive slowly and naturally get married. Echoing her, his clan helpfully asks: Tera rocket kab udega? Shirin, played by Farah Khan, is a feisty singleton who lives together with her comatose father and aunt.
The first hour is bumpy but fun. Farhad’s bachelor plight, his eager for Shirin (whose bra size he identifies once she walks into the store) and their hesitant courtship is charming.
But then the screenplay, co-written by director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, nose-dives. The plot doesn’t thicken, it curdles. There are too many forgettable songs, including one by which Shirin and Farhad parody iconic songs from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Hum Aapke Hai Koun…! The comedy becomes more slapstick and shrill. I USED TO BE distracted by Farah Khan’s awkward performance. She’s perfectly cast however the A-list director simply isn’t an actor. For many of the film, she seems too hesitant and self-conscious.
Boman’s heart-felt performance lifts the film to some degree. He gives Farhad dignity. You are feeling for him, even if he’s selling fluorescent green underwear. Clearly Bela has great affection for her characters. I just wish she had given them a greater plot to play in.
