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Bunty Aur Babli

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Bunty Aur Babli
A stern-looking elderly man in sunglasses holds photographs of the title characters, up as if to show the viewer, and a cigarette between his fingers.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byShaad Ali
Written byJaideep Sahni
Story byAditya Chopra
Produced byAditya Chopra
StarringAmitabh Bachchan
Abhishek Bachchan
Rani Mukerji
Narrated byAmitabh Bachchan
CinematographyAvik Mukhopadhyay
Edited byRitesh Soni
Music byShankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Production
company
Distributed byYash Raj Films
Release date
  • May 27, 2005 (2005-05-27) (India)
Running time
177 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹14 crore
Box office₹90.4 crore (equivalent to ₹307 crore or US$36 million in 2023)[1]

Bunty Aur Babli (transl. Bunty and Babli) is a 2005 Indian Hindi-language crime comedy film directed by Shaad Ali and written by Jaideep Sahni, based on a story by Aditya Chopra, who produces the film under the Yash Raj Films. The film, inspired by the 1967 American film Bonnie and Clyde, stars Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Rani Mukerji in lead roles[2] and marks the first of the many collaborations between the former two (father and son respectively in real life). The younger Bachchan and Mukerji play the titular con-artist partners-in-crime, while the elder Bachchan plays the DCP whose focus is solely to catch them.[3]

The soundtrack of Bunty Aur Babli was composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, with lyrics written by Gulzar and Blaaze together, and was released under the banner YRF Music. Bunty Aur Babli was released worldwide on 27 May 2005, and proved to be a commercial success at the box-office, grossing ₹90.4 crore worldwide, thus becoming the second highest-grossing Indian film of 2005. It received positive reviews from critics upon release, with praise for its direction, novel story, screenplay, soundtrack, humor, costumes, styling and performances of the cast.

At the 51st Filmfare Awards, Bunty Aur Babli received 8 nominations, including Best Film, Best Actor (Abhishek Bachchan), Best Actress (Mukerji) and Best Supporting Actor (Amitabh Bachchan) and won – Best Music Director (Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy), Best Lyricist (Gulzar) and Best Female Playback Singer (Alisha Chinai), the latter two for the song "Kajra Re".

The film was remade in Telugu as Bhale Dongalu (2008).[4] A sequel under the title of Bunty Aur Babli 2, starring Mukerji, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Sharvari Wagh, was released theatrically on November 19, 2021, with Saif Ali Khan replacing Bachchan.[5]

Plot

[edit]

Rakesh Trivedi is from a small village named Fursatganj. His father is a ticket collector on a train and wants him to get into a similar occupation as well. However, Rakesh has big dreams; he is forever coming up with new business schemes and is convinced he will make it big one day. He adamantly refuses any notion that he will one day work in a 9-to-5 environment. Rakesh's father gives him an ultimatum: go on the job interview he has arranged or get out of the house.

Vimmi Saluja is the daughter of a Punjabi family in another small village named Pankinagar; she spends her hours watching films and studying supermodels and dreams of becoming Miss India. However, Vimmi's parents tell her they have arranged her marriage to a young man with a decent job, which she is not interested in.

Rakesh and Vimmi pack their bags and sneak out in the dark of the night. They bump into each other at a train station and become friends after realizing their stories are similar. They support and encourage each other to achieve their dreams: Vimmi tries to enter the Miss India contest but gets thrown out after an argument when she refuses to sleep with someone to get a part. Rakesh tries to sell his ideas for an investment scheme, but a businessman turns him away. A man he had met at a restaurant stole ideas from Rakesh's presentation file, and when he enters the office, the interviewer states someone before he came in with the same idea. After finding out that the businessman who Rakesh had approached used his idea to make money, he and Vimmi con him and take the money they believe is rightfully theirs.

Once they realize how easy it is to con people, they decide to run some more cons to raise money to make it to Bombay.

Unfortunately, they find the lifestyle too exciting to give up. Adopting the names of 'Bunty' and 'Babli', they successfully pull off con after con, looting the rich dressed as local guides, religious priests, health inspectors, business partners, etc. Their flamboyant antics make them famous in newspapers nationwide. Soon, their friendship leads to romance, and they decide to continue conning as husband and wife.

Little do Bunty and Babli know that DCP Dashrath Singh is catching up with their cons, getting closer each day. He relentlessly pursues them across India in the hopes of putting them behind bars. To complicate matters, Bunty and Babli have a child, and, after a very close call eluding Dashrath, they decide to quit conning for their child's sake. This decision leads to their capture by Dashrath. While in custody, their heartfelt confessions and conversation soften the policeman's heart, and he lets them go, certain he had destroyed Bunty and Babli's careers as criminals.

Three years later, Dashrath rescues Bunty and Babli from their mundane domestic lives by offering them to work for the nation, thwarting the activities of other scammers.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

During production, Abhishek had to "shed 12 kilos" for his character.[6] Designer Aki Narula dressed Mukerji a new look Patiala salwars and kurtis, which became popular.[7]

Reception

[edit]

Namrata Joshi of Outlook wrote of the performances: "Abhishek is perfect as Bunty—naughty, twisted yet unspoilt at heart. Rani plays to the gallery with ease. And Amitabh delivers another starry turn. The scene where he describes his unrequited love affair is a hoot. And so is the brilliant item number Kajrare with Ash letting herself go along with the father and the son."[8] Sukanya Verma of Rediff stated, "Aditya Chopra's story slices a bit of Bonnie and Clyde and a lot of Catch Me If You Can, soaks it in Indian essence and dishes out a delicious dessert," and further wrote that the movie "wouldn't be the same without Abhishek and Mukerji's enthusiastic performances."[9] Sudhish Kamath of The Hindu claimed that the movie "totally banks on charm," yet opined that it works "simply because of the colourful characters and the casual air with which the charismatic actors carry off the roles," and concluded that the movie "is only for those blessed with a generous sense of humour."[10] Avijit Ghosh wrote in The Telegraph, "In essence, Bunty Aur Babli is an on-the-road flick about a boy and girl in search of fun and freedom rather than a story of two cons. To capture the splintered yearnings of smalltown India which watches Aastha channel in the morning and FTV at night is a difficult and ambitious task. But like his protagonists, director Ali pulls it off. Bravely. Almost."[11]

The film was a critical and commercial success, becoming the second highest-grossing Indian film of the year.[2]

Influence

[edit]

The glorification of crime in the movie inspired many people to emulate the glamorous couple, resulting in a trend of real-life Buntys and Bablis.

One such case is that of Sushant and Kajal, a married couple who conned two businesses out of money using a photo frame. The Darjeeling-based couple did a Bunty Aur Babli on their victims, and were caught and arrested.[12]

Another case of the movie's influence on crime is that of another married couple, Suresh and Rekha. Their crimes also mirrored those committed in the film, and they admitted to committing the crimes they were accused of in a "Bunty Aur Babli" style.[13]

Yet another couple, a sister and brother-in-law, were caught for crimes that mirrored those committed in the film. Shahnaaz Bano and Sajid Ahmed were caught smuggling and shoplifting diamonds and other expensive merchandise out of stores, using disguises.[14]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Bunty Aur Babli
Soundtrack album by
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Released15 April 2005 (India)
Recorded2004
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length37:09
LabelYash Raj Music
ProducerYash Chopra
Aditya Chopra
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy chronology
Phir Milenge
(2004) 		Bunty Aur Babli
(2005) 		Dil Jo Bhi Kahey...
(2005)
Singles from Bunty Aur Babli
  1. "Kajra Re"
    Released: 2005

The soundtrack was composed by the musical trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy and was released on 15 April 2005 by Yash Raj Music.[15] Initially, A. R. Rahman was approached to compose the film's music, having worked on Ali's previous film Saathiya (2002), but he declined due to his date issues. The lead actors Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji danced to the tunes of the album.[16] The lyrics were penned by Gulzar and Blaaze. According to the Indian trade website Box Office India, with around 19,00,000 units sold, this film's soundtrack album was the year's second highest-selling.[17]

Track listing

[edit]

Lyrics by Gulzar except where noted.

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Dhadak Dhadak"Udit Narayan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Nihira Joshi6:33
2."Chup Chup Ke"Sonu Nigam, Mahalakshmi Iyer7:13
3."Nach Baliye"Shankar Mahadevan, Sowmya Raoh, Loy Mendonsa6:02
4."Bunty Aur Babli"Sukhwinder Singh, Jaspinder Narula5:42
5."B N B (Lyrics by Blaaze)"Shankar Mahadevan, Blaaze, Loy Mendonsa3:38
6."Kajra Re"Alisha Chinai, Shankar Mahadevan, Javed Ali8:02
Total length:37:09

Reception

[edit]

The music of Bunty Aur Babli received positive reviews from critics. Sukanya Verma of Rediff, said in her review, "On the whole, the music of Bunty Aur Babli, with its over-the-top, uninhibited, rustic and teasing spices, makes for one helluva musical masala."[18] Joginder Tuteja of Bollywood Hungama wrote, "Bunty Aur Babli does not contain your routine Yash Chopra genre of music that is choreographed around the meadows and Swiss alps. They are more of situational rhythmic tracks that take a story forward.” [19] Glamsham was full of praise for the lyrics by Gulzar, "Throughout this zany, zingy and zippy album, the 70-year-old Gulzar imbues a youthfulness that comes from being young at heart. Indeed that's the quality, which flows freely out of this album. You can't miss its zest for life… or its lunge towards a luscious nirvana obtained from looking at life through rose-tinted glasses."[20]

Accolades

[edit]
List of accolades received by Bunty Aur Babli
Total number of awards and nominations[a]
Totals 25 49
References
Award[b] Date of ceremony[c] Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Bollywood Movie Awards 10 June 2006 Best Director Shaad Ali Nominated [21]
[22]
Best Actor in a Comic Role Abhishek Bachchan Won
Best Music Director Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Won
Best Female Playback Singer Alisha Chinai – (for song "Kajra Re") Won
Best Choreography Vaibhavi Merchant – (for song "Kajra Re") Won
Filmfare Awards 25 February 2006 Best Film Aditya Chopra Nominated [23]
[24]
Best Actor Abhishek Bachchan Nominated
Best Actress Rani Mukerji Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Amitabh Bachchan Nominated
Best Music Director Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Won
Best Lyricist Gulzar – (for song "Kajra Re") Won
Gulzar – (for song "Chup Chup Ke") Nominated
Best Female Playback Singer Alisha Chinai – (for song "Kajra Re") Won
International Indian Film Academy Awards 15–17 June 2006 Best Film Aditya Chopra Nominated [25]
[26]
Best Actress Rani Mukerji Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Amitabh Bachchan Nominated
Best Music Director Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Won
Best Lyricist Gulzar – (for song "Kajra Re") Won
Best Female Playback Singer Alisha Chinai – (for song "Kajra Re") Won
Best Choreography Vaibhavi Merchant – (for song "Kajra Re") Won
MTV Immies 9 December 2005 Best Film Album Bunty Aur Babli Won [27]
Best Female Playback Singer Alisha Chinai – (for song "Kajra Re") Won
Best Performance In a Song – Female Aishwarya Rai Bachchan – (for song "Kajra Re") Won
Producers Guild Film Awards 21 January 2006 Best Music Director Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Won [28]
[29]
[30]
Best Lyricist Gulzar – (for song "Kajra Re") Won
Best Female Playback Singer Alisha Chinai – (for song "Kajra Re") Won
Best Choreography Vaibhavi Merchant – (for song "Kajra Re") Won
Screen Awards 11 January 2006 Best Supporting Actor Amitabh Bachchan Nominated [31]
[32]
Best Actor in a Comic Role Abhishek Bachchan Won
Best Music Director Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Won
Best Female Playback Singer Alisha Chinai – (for song "Kajra Re") Nominated
Best Choreography Vaibhavi Merchant – (for song "Kajra Re") Nominated
Jodi No. 1 Abhishek Bachchan & Rani Mukerji Won
Zee Cine Awards 4 March 2006 Best Film Aditya Chopra Nominated [33]
[34]
[35]
Best Director Shaad Ali Nominated
Best Actor – Male Abhishek Bachchan Nominated
Best Actor – Female Rani Mukerji Nominated
Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male Amitabh Bachchan Nominated
Best Music Director Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Won
Best Lyricist Gulzar – (for song "Kajra Re") Nominated
Best Female Playback Singer Alisha Chinai – (for song "Kajra Re") Nominated
Best Choreography Vaibhavi Merchant – (for song "Kajra Re") Won
Shiamak Davar – (for song "Nach Baliye") Nominated
Best Track of the Year "Kajra Re" Won
Best Costume Design Aki Narula Nominated
Best Art Direction Sharmishta Roy Nominated
Best Song Recording Empire Studio Won
Best Film Processing Adlabs Films Nominated
Best Publicity Design Cell Nominated

Sequel

[edit]
Main article: Bunty Aur Babli 2

In December 2019, Yash Raj Films announced a sequel, Bunty Aur Babli 2, to be directed by Varun V. Sharma and produced by Aditya Chopra. The film stars Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerji, Siddhant Chaturvedi and debutante Sharvari Wagh as the leads,[36][37] and was scheduled to be released on 26 June 2020, but postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic.[38] It released theatrically on 19 November 2021. Although the film is a direct sequel and takes places after 16 years of the first film but the character of Bunty is portrayed by Saif Ali Khan replacing Abhishek Bachchan.[39] The sequel of the film was received negative reviews from critics and was box office disaster.

Legacy

[edit]

Mukerji's performance has been noted as one of her notable works.[40][41] Her character Babli, became a popular and recognizable character. She was also named by Rediff as one of Bollywood's most beloved characters.[42] Mukerji and Bachchan were named in Bollywood Hungama's list of the top 10 best romantic couples of the decade.[43]

The songs of the film became popular. "Kajra Re" was voted as the best song of 2005 by listeners of 3 radio stations catering for South African Indians.[44] Hidekaz Himaruya, the manga artist who created Hetalia, embedded the video of "Dhadak Dhadak" on his blog around Christmas time, which caused a sudden influx of Himaruya fans commenting on the video.[45] The film was remade in Telugu as Bhale Dongalu (2008), starring Tarun, Ileana and Jagapati Babu. Time Out placed the film at 63rd position in its "The 100 best Bollywood movies" list.[46]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Awards in certain categories do not have prior nominations and only winners are announced by the jury. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.
  2. ^ Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.
  3. ^ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Top Lifetime Grossers Worldwide (IND Rs)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Box Office 2005". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  3. ^ "Bunty Aur Babli". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Tollywood meets Bollywood?". The Times of India. 28 February 2008.
  5. ^ "Saif Ali Khan on replacing Abhishek Bachchan in Bunty Aur Babli 2: 'Aditya Chopra said things aren't working out…'". The Indian Express. 20 November 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Time to have fun". The Hindu. 26 May 2005. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022.
  7. ^ "FASHION: How to Dress a Rockstar". Tehelka. Vol. 8, no. 39. 1 October 2011. Archived from the original on 24 September 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  8. ^ Joshi, Namrata (13 June 2005). "Bunty aur Babli". Outlook. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  9. ^ Verma, Sukanya (27 May 2005). "Go watch Bunty Aur Babli!". Rediff. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  10. ^ Kamath, Sudhish (10 June 2005). "Comic caper". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 September 2006.
  11. ^ "The Telegraph – Calcutta: etc". The Telegraph. Kolkota. Archived from the original on 9 September 2006.
  12. ^ "Real life 'Bunty Aur Babli' couple held for cheating Archies". Hindustan Times. 21 June 2009. ProQuest 470024645.
  13. ^ "'Bunty Aur Babli' held in Dehradun". The Pioneer. 9 November 2012. ProQuest 1143849740.
  14. ^ "Bunty aur Babli plot goes wrong, woman thief held". Hindustan Times. 14 March 2010. ProQuest 471194997.
  15. ^ "Yash Raj Music – Bunty Aur Babli Audio CD". Yash Raj Music. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  16. ^ "Bunty Aur Babli Music Launch". Yashraj Films. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  17. ^ "Music Hits 2000–2009 (Figures in Units)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 15 February 2008.
  18. ^ Verma, Sukanya. "Bunty Aur Babli's Music Rocks!". Rediff.com. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  19. ^ "Bunty Aur Babli: Music Review by Joginder Tuteja". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  20. ^ "Bunty Aur Babli music review". glamsham.com. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  21. ^ "Nominees of Bollywood Movie Awards". Bollywood Movie Awards. Archived from the original on 3 November 2006. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  22. ^ "Winners of Bollywood Movie Awards: 1999 to 2007". BollywoodAwards.com. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  23. ^ "The 51st Filmfare Awards 2006 Nominations". Indian Times. The Times Group. Archived from the original on 8 July 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  24. ^ "Winners of the 51st Filmfare Awards". Zee News. 22 February 2006. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  25. ^ "IIFA 2006 Nominees". Bollywood Hungama. IndiaFM News Bureau. 6 May 2006. Archived from the original on 11 November 2006. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  26. ^ "'Black' bags major IIFA awards". The Tribune. Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Press Trust of India. 18 June 2006. Archived from the original on 11 September 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  27. ^ "Music across borders". The Times of India. 5 December 2005. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  28. ^ "2nd Apsara Producers Guild Awards Nominations". Producers Guild Film Awards. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  29. ^ "2nd Apsara Producers Guild Awards Winners". Producers Guild Film Awards. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  30. ^ "Bhansali's 'Black' bags 10 Apsara Awards". Hindustan Times. Press Trust of India. 23 January 2006. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  31. ^ "Nominations for 12th Annual Screen Awards". Bollywood Hungama. IndiaFM News Bureau. 3 January 2006. Archived from the original on 10 January 2006. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  32. ^ "Black sweeps Screen Awards". Rediff.com. 12 January 2006. Archived from the original on 14 January 2006. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  33. ^ "Zee Cine Awards 2006 nominations". Bollywood Hungama. IndiaFM News Bureau. 27 January 2006. Archived from the original on 17 November 2006. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  34. ^ "Blockbuster award show in Mauritius today". Daily News and Analysis. 3 March 2006. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  35. ^ "Black dominates ZEE Cine Awards 2006". BizAsia. 4 March 2006. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  36. ^ "Bunty Aur Babli 2: Saif Ali Khan Joins Rani Mukerji Because 'Things Didn't Work Out' With Abhishek Bachchan". NDTV. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  37. ^ "Rani Mukerji to Team up with Saif Ali Khan on Bunty Aur Babli 2". News18. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  38. ^ "Rani Mukerji, Saif Ali Khan to have Hum Tum reunion in Bunty Aur Babli 2". Hindustan Times. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  39. ^ "BREAKING: Yash Raj Films announces theatrical release dates for Bunty Aur Babli 2, Prithviraj, Jayeshbhai Jordaar and Shamshera!". Bollywood Hungama. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  40. ^ "Rani Mukerji movies that etched her name in the portals of Hindi cinema". Filmfare. 21 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  41. ^ "Rani Mukerji's Top 10 Performances". Rediff.com. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  42. ^ "Meet Bollywood's MOST Beloved Characters". Rediff.com.
  43. ^ Ramsubramaniam, Nikhil. "10 Best Onscreen Romantic Couples of the Decade". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013.
  44. ^ "Kajra Re is song of season in South Africa". Hindustan Times. 5 January 2006. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  45. ^ "Broadcast Yourself". Retrieved 25 June 2011 – via YouTube.
  46. ^ "The 100 best Bollywood movies". Time Out Editors. Time Out. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
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