Beware: spoilers ahead!
Aditya Chopra’s comeback film isn’t as Befikre as we expected it to be. I get why this Ranveer Singh-Vaani Kapoor starrer was slightly out of his comfort zone as a filmmaker. But to be honest, it has a pretty major Yash Raj Films hangover, with some of the banner’s most tried and tested formulae at work.
Here goes-
Random Beginnings
Befikre’s opening credit sequence will take you right back to Yash Chopra’s Dil Toh Pagal Hai. The 2016 love story opens with a montage of lip locking Parisians, and if you remember, Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997) also began with a montage of different couples hugging and sitting on a bench. Déjà vu.
Heartbreaks and Daydreams
Where there is heartbreak, there has to be a daydreaming sequence. Raj and Simran figure out that they’re in love after they part ways at a train station in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). Befikre is hardly different. When Dharam finally understands that Shyra is getting married to someone else, there comes along the dreamy Je T’aime song, where they imagine being around each other. Déjà vu yet again.
Shaadi Waala Din
Bittoo (Ranveer) decides to tell Shruti (Anushka) that he loves her, when she says ‘yes’ to the other dude in Band Baaja Baaraat (2010). Befikre’s climax is ditto, a little bit worse actually. Dharam confesses his love for Shyra on her wedding day! Phir se déjà vu.
Befikre Is Shudh Desi Romance In Paris
The first half of Aditya Chopra’s Befikre is all about kissing and daring. I’m not kidding you when I say that it’s Shudh Desi Romance (2013) set in Paris.
Happy Ending Toh Zaroori Hai
If the climax of Dil Toh Pagal Hai brought you to tears, you’ll love Befikre’s happy ending too. Pooja picks Rahul and not Ajay, just like Shyra ditches Anay for Dharam. Yeh toh déjà vu ki hadd hai.
Add Yash Chopra’s signature exotic foreign locales, good looking faces and fabulous costumes to the mix and the resemblance becomes even more uncanny.
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