Ladies vs Ricky Behl

Ladies vs Ricky Behl is a rather well made film. That is, obviously with respect to the mandate of Yash raj films. Maneesh Sharma knows how to set films up better than how to finish them, but his real weakness is imagining songs. In this case, music was a big letdown in every possible way. The song that introduces Anushka into the film is a horror. So is the end title song which is ugly because it breaks the spell of the film by asking the characters to become celebrity performers. 

 

However, Ranveer and Anushka are indeed stars in the making. They are a small-town response to stardom, somewhat rustic stars, one could say. Ranveer spoofs SRK rather brilliantly and it is wonderful that Maneesh Sharma manages to do a con job on YashRaj's own past by parodying SRK without really parodying him. Ranveer's strength is that he can be really ordinary, he can relegate himself to one side of the screen, despite this being his blockbuster introduction. He is convincing simply because he is tentative. But the real stars of the film are the three city-women who distinctly represent Delhi, Bombay, and Lucknow. It goes without saying that only Bombay is represented with urbanity, while Delhi remains temperamental in its attitude and urban only in its ambitions. Lucknow of course, if the only city really present in the film. The minarets an Rumi darwaza form the background, small lanes of Chowk and its mild manners render their soulfulness to Saira, the tehzeeb girl.

The film is adorable till Anushka is introduced. The contrast between the three women is abolutely amazing, the play with language exceeded expectations. Thereafter, it becomes somewhat predictable, a little over-stylish, and rather chaotic. However, if Ranveer and Anushka ride the cinematic ascendance of Delhi over Bombay, actors such as Parineeta and Aditi actually make it possible.

Finally, I personally think Ranveer and Anushka are interesting individuals and a curious couple because they seem to have all the goods for being absolutely stunning, yet remain far from attractive. The parts do not add up to a whole that one would imagine they should.

For all those who are clued into Bollywood and have seen Band Baaja Baraat, this is strongly recommended. The way Maneesh Sharma ties the ends is a cute masterstroke.