Ranveer Singh's debut shines, but a bloated second half dulls the charm.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Band Baaja Baaraat received a broadly positive reception, with most critics praising its authentic depiction of contemporary Delhi's middle class and the energetic performances of its lead pair, particularly Ranveer Singh's debut. Anushka Sharma was also noted for delivering her most committed work to that point, and debutant director Maneesh Sharma was widely credited for handling the material with confidence and a sure-handed grasp of character. The most common criticism was directed at the second half, which several reviewers found weaker and overstretched, while at least one critic felt the lead pair lacked convincing chemistry. The film's wedding songs were flagged as a weak point by one reviewer, but overall the consensus was that the film's freshness and lead performances overcame its structural shortcomings.
1 not-rated review isn't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 13 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
...at the heart of this film are its delightful leads. The ambitious but straightforward Shruti Kakkar, played with a zeal we haven't seen before in Anushka Sharma's previous roles. And Ranveer Singh as the unpolished but lovable Bittoo Sharma, who steals the film with a confident, uninhibited performance that is the best thing about this film.
Top critic
Film review ·
The first half, in which him and Shruti set up their company is great fun, with weddings and struggle and a mid-point twist that will surprise you. Even Anushka, who has been tediously bland in the films she's done so far comes into her own as the ambitious Delhi girl, who dreams of upgrading to multi-crore Sainik Farms weddings. Sadly, the second half is a big let down with too much fighting, stretched-out wedding sequences and even an item number in which Bittoo and Shruti fill in for Shah Rukh Khan who can't dance at the wedding because he hurts his leg.
Top critic
Film review ·
Band Baaja Baaraat works smartly as a sociological study of saddi Dilli, with moods, moments and characters that crisply capture the life on the other side of the neon lights. Like Dibakar Banerjee and Rakeysh Mehra, director Maneesh Sharma chooses to look the other way and talk about the earthy, emotional, rough-edged quintessential Dilliwala who peppers his language with street talk, doesn't believe in minding his Ps and Qs, revels in an in-your-face attitude and cocks a snook at the HS (high-society) people...
Film review ·
Bravo, Yashraj for bringing such exceptional new talent to our cinema. Bravo, debutant director Maneesh Sharma for taking us through the organised chaos of traditional weddings in movements of pure pleasure and enjoyment that communicate themselves to the audience. Hours after watching the film, I've still not stopped smiling.
Film review ·
Anushka Sharma delivers a spirited performance. She suits her role perfectly. But the real star of the film is debutante Ranveer Singh. He has an amazing screen presence and performs his role impeccably. Right from his dialogue delivery to his body language, everything is just right.
Film review ·
What impresses from beginning till the end of this effort from debutant director Maneesh Sharma is the fact that never once does 'Band Baaja Baaraat' leave it's own character. It retains a certain authenticity to it throughout its length that makes the proceedings believable and the kind that one can easily relate to.
Film review ·
Indeed it is refreshing to see a film about weddings that is neither loud nor preaching customs and archaic traditions. Instead, Sharma brings us a reflection of evolving India that still loves its shaadis and all the drama that comes with it...a bright, dancy, feel-good movie that doesn't insult your intelligence. What's not to like?
Film review ·
Learn a little Punjabi yes, and grit your teeth for the tuneless wedding songs, but watch the film for its energy and for its lead pair who are charmingly unaffected.
Film review ·
Debutant director Maneesh Sharma brings Delhi alive like few filmmakers have in recent years. His confidence with his craft shows. The script is mostly fluid with the rare weak moments but what really holds up the two-hour flick are its lead pair. For someone who's two films old (Anushka) and a debutant (Ranveer) to entertain with josh and a fervent energy without a single big name in any frame calls for appreciation.
Film review ·
Hindi mainstream cinema, despite its predictability, can at times leave you with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. Band Baaja Baaraat is one such endearing film. The story might be the usual: boy meets girl, they get into a misunderstanding and eventually come together again. However, what makes it special is that it feels delightfully real, is strongly rooted in contemporary Delhi middle class.
Film review ·
The script is fresh and debutant director Maneesh Sharma does full justice to it. The movie is well written and the director has handled the subject really well. He has executed the light moments as well as subtle emotions amazingly well.
Film review ·
There's no proverbial chemistry between the leading couple, and that makes for a film of its own. Not this one. Another Delhi movie, maybe. "Love degi, degi love? (Will you give me love)," he seriously proposes. You know what the answer's going to be. But you want to laugh.
Film review ·
On the whole, Band Baaja Baaraat catches you with complete surprise. It has an appealing plot, which has been handled with dexterity and most importantly, it has characters that instantly make a place for themselves in your heart.
From our readers
4 ratings · user score 6.8
Maneesh sharm not bad begning with anush and ranveer with tapical bollywood movie
'Band Baaja Baraat' is a made up piece from a genre which Bollywood always- very frequently- innovates. It is a celebration of that simple love stpry which has lovers- the genre which has been frequently explored by filmmakers in Hindi cinema. Frankoy, there's more than agreeing to the fact that we as audience know all the 'rasas' and 'rangs' of 'Pyaar'. But director Maneesh Sharma drops this saga of love in a feel-good manner: he quickly makes you smile with the beginning- and then marries it with the rich wedding ecosystem of Delhi, where two bachelors, Bittu and Shruti have formed a wedding planning agency. What follows is a sincere mainstream drama with a simole story and an extra sweet thiught process. It carries linear ideas and a big heart- and this, this makes this Yashraj romantic which is a sweet, soaring experience. The performances are the best part of 'Band Baaja Baraat'. Anushka Sharma's Shruti is by far her most independent character since 'Rab ne Bana Di Jodi'. She infuses immenseness to her part, making her character take the film from the beginning. She infuses life and style into the regular 'Dilliwali Kudi'. But frankly, it is Ranveer Singh who blends delight in his Bittoo, whose writing, unfortunately, never rises above the regular Sharmaji ka Launda. He is so stromg that he covers most bumps of the film, and so masala that he will take the Bollywood world by storm. But the film's contrivances do show up. It is overlong, and loses some sobriety in the second half of the film. Somewhere in the middle-20 something minutes of the runtime- maybe the last ones. Also, the chemistry of the couple isn't good enough to be called memorable. These are in love, but they are still more individual souls. The film carries ideas which are productive, and the film takes into its pace much of its feel-good, old Delhi charm. And that makes the film. I am going with 3.5 out of 5 for 'BBB'. It's a very mainstream love story. with many bumps, but also much warmth.
Credits
Ranveer SinghBittoo Sharma
Neeraj SoodMaqsood (Florist)
Manmeet SinghRajinder Singh (Caterer)
Puru ChibberBittoo's best friend (Mika)
Anushka Sharma KohliShruti Kakkar
Govind PandeyBittoo's fatherHindi films like Band Baaja Baaraat
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