Bachna Ae Haseeno

Infobox Film
name = Bachna Ae Haseeno


image_size =
caption = Movie poster for "Bachna Ae Haseeno".
director = Siddharth Anand
producer = Aditya Chopra
Yash Chopra
writer = Siddharth Anand
starring = Ranbir Kapoor
Bipasha Basu
Minissha Lamba
Deepika Padukone
music = Vishal-Shekhar
cinematography = Sunil Patel
editing = Ritesh Soni
distributor = Yash Raj Films
released = August 15, 2008
runtime = 148 minutes
country = IND
language = Hindi
budget = Rs.18 crores
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website = http://www.yashrajfilms.com/microsites/bah/bah.html
imdb_id = 1182972

"Bachna Ae Haseeno" (Hindi: बचना ऐ हसीनो, Urdu: بچنا اے حسینو) is a Bollywood film released on August 15, 2008. It stars Ranbir Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Minissha Lamba and Deepika Padukone. The film was directed by Siddharth Anand whose previous films include "Salaam Namaste" (2005) and "Ta Ra Rum Pum" (2007).

Plot

The film follows the journey of Raj Sharma (Ranbir Kapoor) from the age of 18 to 30. He meets three girls at different stages of his life: Mahi (Minissha Lamba) - a small-town girl from Punjab, Radhika (Bipasha Basu) - a model from Mumbai and Gayatri (Deepika Padukone) - an NRI taxidriver from Australia. The film is about a boy who goes from one love affair to another, only to run into true love.

In 1996, Raj runs into Mahi on the Eurorail, during a Europe trip. However, Mahi misses her train and is stranded in Switzerland without any money. Raj finds her, consoles her and offers to help her reach the airport in time for her return flight. On the way, Mahi falls in love with Raj. They share a kiss after Raj reads her a poem he had written about his feelings for her. They have fun together and when Raj drops Mahi at the airport, Mahi opens the page on which Raj had written the poem, only to find it blank. Then she overhears him boasting to his friends about how he had a good time. She is shocked. But when Raj realizes that he has been caught, he is unable to decide what to do and simply leaves, leaving the crying Mahi behind.

It is 2002. Raj has since moved to Mumbai and found a job with Microsoft as a game designer. He is also in a live-in relationship with Radhika - a successful model. Soon Raj receives transfer orders to Sydney after his success with the Halo 3 launch (apparently developed primarily owing to his effort). He expects to be able to leave Radhika and move on to a new life. However, Radhika unexpectedly announces that she intends to sacrifice her career as a model, marry Raj and join him in Australia - much to Raj's dismay. After failing on several occasions to force her to break up, he stands her up on their wedding day and gets on a flight to Sydney.

It's 2007. Raj is now in midst of a successful career in Sydney. One day he runs into Gayatri, who drives taxi during the evenings and studies at a business school during the day. She also works in a super-market as the cashier. Raj befriends her and learns that, like him, she does not believe in the institution of marriage. However, he realizes that he is falling in love with her and finally proposes. But Gayatri turns him down and walks away. Raj is deeply hurt and remembers Mahi and Radhika. He decides to return to India to apologize to both of them for the hurt he has caused.

On his return, he first seeks out Mahi. She is now married and has two sons. He runs into her husband (played by Kunal Kapoor) who expresses his anger at first. He tells Raj that Preeti (Mahi's Sister) has told him everything but remains hurt to date. He also tells Raj how she continues to be the perfect housewife and mother of his children, but when it comes to love - she turns away and makes excuses. Raj decides to intervene and finally apologizes to Mahi. He also makes her realize how much her husband loves her. She forgives Raj and expresses her love for her husband.

Having received closure with Mahi, Raj now seeks out Radhika. He finally finds her only to realize that she has now changed her name to Shreya Rathod and has become a Super model. After much effort, he manages to meet her and offers his apologies. Shreya refuses to accept his apologies and tells him that he needs to work hard in order to earn it. To do this she offers him the job of an assistant. Once Raj starts his job, Shreya drives him hard making him do all sorts of tasks - from cleaning to serving at parties. She tries to humiliate him at every possible occasion. But Raj remains firm on his resolve and continues to serve without complaint. Finally she gives up and tells him how hurt she felt sitting alone outside the registrars office. She refuses to accept his apologies, forcing Raj to give up and return home. But while waiting for his flight, Shreya catches up with him and tells him how she has realized that the root of her frustrations was all the bottled up hate against Raj. So in an effort to gain closure, she has thought over her decision again and has decided to grant Raj a full pardon. Raj is thrilled and returns to Australia.

On his return, Raj finds several letters from Gayatri. While he has been away, Gayatri has had second thoughts and has regretted having turned down Raj. The film ends with Raj seeking her out and unites with Gayatri.

Cast

* Ranbir Kapoor ... Raj Sharma
* Bipasha Basu ... Radhika/Shreya Rathore
* Minissha Lamba ... Mahi/Mahi Ahluwalia
* Deepika Padukone ... Gayatri
* Kunal Kapoor... Mr. Joginder Ahluwalia (Mahi's husband)
* Puneet Issar... Mahi's father

Production

In April 2007, sources indicated that director Siddharth Anand had signed Ranbir Kapoor for the main lead in his next film. However, after indicating that the news was "mere speculation" and "absolutely untrue," [cite web|author=Adarsh, Taran|title=Yash Raj signs Ranbir?|url=http://www.indiafm.com/news/2007/04/24/9304/index.html|publisher=Indiafm.com|accessdate=2007-04-24] he later confirmed that Kapoor was starring in his film.cite web|author=Adarsh, Taran|title=Fantastic four |url=http://www.indiafm.com/news/2007/05/29/9478/index.html|publisher=Indiafm.com|accessdate=2007-05-29]

The director was also in talks with actresses Preity Zinta, Bipasha Basu, Deepika Padukone and Amrita Rao for the roles in question but indicated that "it wouldn't be right to reveal their names till we sign them on the dotted line." In June 2007, Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone were finalised to play two of leading ladies [cite web|author=Jha, Subhash K|title=Siddharth Anand's Ranbir starrer is not The Bachelor |url=http://www.indiafm.com/news/2007/06/01/9511/index.html|publisher=Indiafm.com|accessdate=2007-06-01] but the former's role was later removed due to the film's story becoming too long. [cite web|author=Upala, KBR|title=Alvida Ranbir, Hello John!|url=http://www.mid-day.com/web/guest/entertainment/bollywood/article?_EXT_5_articleId=977803&_EXT_5_groupId=14|publisher=MiD DAY|accessdate=2008-02-12] Actress Amrita Rao was also considered to play one of the leading ladies but opted out. [cite web|author=Adarsh, Taran|title=Kissa kiss ka|url=http://www.indiafm.com/news/2007/12/04/10544/index.html|publisher=Indiafm.com|accessdate=2007-12-04]

The heroines of the film share very limited time on screen together and therefore most of their parts were filmed separately. Deepika Padukone's portions were filmed in Sydney, Australia and the song "Khuda Jaane" was shot at various locations in Italy, including Venice and Capri. [cite web|author=Patel, Devansh|title=""I am not in charge of casting for Bachna Ae Haseeno" - Deepika Padukone|url=http://www.indiafm.com/features/2008/07/29/4125/index.html|publisher=Indiafm.com|accessdate=2008-08-31] Minissha Lamba's portions, which were inspired by Yash Chopra's "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge", were filmed in the similar locales of Amritsar, Mumbai, and Switzerland. [cite web|author=Patel, Devansh|title="Ranbir is very shy but once he opens up, he's a riot" - Minissha Lamba|url=http://www.indiafm.com/features/2008/07/31/4131/index.html|publisher=Indiafm.com|accessdate=2008-08-31]

Continuing the tradition of showcasing the first look of their upcoming films with their latest release, Yash Raj Films showcased the first trailer of the film on April 25, 2008 with the release of Vijay Krishna Acharya's film "Tashan" and a second trailer was shown on June 27, 2008 with the release of Kunal Kohli's film "Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic". [cite web|author=Adarsh, Taran|title="Bachna Ae Haseeno promo with Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic |url=http://www.indiafm.com/news/2008/06/26/11606/index.html|publisher=Indiafm.com|accessdate=2008-08-31] Yash Raj Films usually does not spend much money on promoting its films, however, it has made an exception with "Bachna Ae Haseeno". Instead of the usual promotion 2-3 weeks before a movie release, the production house has planned a new strategy with promotion over two monthscite web|author=Tuteja, Joginder|title=YRF overhauls Bachna Ae Haseeno's promotions|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/news/2008/yash-raj-promotional-campaign-090708.html|publisher=OneIndia|accessdate=2008-07-11]

Reception

The film grossed a net of Rs.21 crores in its first week. At the end of the second week, the film grossed Rs.31.20 crores and was declared a semi-hit. The film opened to mixed response from critics. Indiafm.com gave it 2.5 stars out of 5, with Taran Adarsh commenting, "On the whole, [it] has an interesting first half, but a weak second hour spoils the show." [ [http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/13633/index.html] ] AOL India gave it 3 out of 5, with Noyon Jyoti Parasara saying, "Overall, Siddharth Anand seems to have hit the bull's eye this time after a not-so-great "Ta Ra Rum Pum". At least the first half of the film looked like it would pull out Yash Raj out of the rot!" [ [http://www.aol.in/bollywood-story/Bachna-Ae-Haseeno-Movie-Review/2008081503499019000001 AOL India review] ] .

However, U.S. critic Maitland McDonagh, who reviewed the film for both TVGuide.com and "Time Out New York", said in the former that this "cocoon of brightly costumed beauties, gorgeous locations, bouncy musical numbers and breathless romance...is slick, mainstream entertainment with just enough surprises that you don't have to feel like a fool for enjoying it". [ [http://movies.tvguide.com/bachna-ae-haseeno/294920 McDonagh, Maitland, TVGuide.com review] ]

Music

Infobox Album | Name = Bachna Ae Haseeno
Type = Album
Artist = Vishal-Shekhar


Released =

July 4, 2008 (India)
Recorded =
Genre = Feature film soundtrack
Length =
Label =

YRF Music
Producer = Aditya Chopra & Yash Chopra| Reviews =
Last album = "De Taali"
(2008)
This album = "Bachna Ae Haseeno"
(2008)
Next album = "Dostana"
(2008)

There are a total of seven tracks in the movie including a remix version. The album entered the Top 3 of the music charts within a couple of days of its arrival on the stands. The lyrics of all the songs are written by Anvita Dutt Guptan.

References

External links

* [http://www.yashrajfilms.com/microsites/bah/bah.html Official Website]
*
* [http://www.indiafm.com/movies/cast/13633/index.html "Bachna Ae Haseeno" on Indiafm.com]