Just watched Baby. Neeraj Pandey, who gave us the exquisite A Wednesday, revisits the terrorist theme in this fast moving action film.
Very rarely do we get espionage genre right in Hindi films, but it appears that Pandey is on the right track with this one. Baby is a refreshingly gutsy effort that says it as it is, without mincing words. One hears that a sequel to Baby is being planned, which can only be good news.
I do not want to go into the specific details of the plot, because I would like to encourage those who have not yet watched this film to watch it. Anybody who is interested in the secularism and unity of India should watch this film. Yes, it has got Muslim terrorists, yes they come from Pakistan, but it is not about mindless bashing of either of these religious/national groups.
There are some characters who are Muslims who help break the terrorist nexus, in addition to Pakistani actors who also feature in the star-cast. Mostly, judging by the messages left on the film website message boards, it seems that people have realised that this film is about terrorism, and not about hating any particular community or country. In fact Baby does not take sides, or justify the actions of any group; it cuts straight to the chase. At least, it does not indulge in partial religious bashing the way PK did.
But as always there are those who take exception. The Pakistani government banned it. The film has not done well in those circuits where expatriate Pakistanis live - such as in some parts of the UK. Just compare the earnings of Baby in the UK (Rs 1.24 crore) with PK (21.63 crore) or Kick (13.2 crore), and you will see what I mean*.
Leave aside foreign circuits. It is a travesty that this film struggled to reach 100 crores in our own market (it eventually stopped at 95.56 crore). It is ridiculous that we do not seem to value movies made with substance and a message. It seems our audience is very much in love with superstars-led, nepotism-filled brainless entertainment, running around trees, and item songs.
How else can you explain the huge success of a crass and ludicrous film such as Happy New Year?
Looking forward to the Baby sequel.
*[source: bollywoodhungama.com]
Image source: http://st1.bollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/baby-2508141.jpg
*[source: bollywoodhungama.com]
Image source: http://st1.bollywoodlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/baby-2508141.jpg
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