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Ladies vs Ricky Bahl backdrop

Ladies vs Ricky Bahl

9 December 2011Hindi2h 20m
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 12 critic reviews

Ranveer and Anushka shine, but a flat second half lets this con caper down.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Ranveer and Anushka's performances
  • Criticised: Predictable and flat second half

Audience

User score 6.0 out of 10 from 3 ratings, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 2 audience reviews ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What critics from 12 publications are saying

Critical reception for Ladies vs Ricky Bahl is mixed-to-moderate, with most reviewers finding it a watchable but unremarkable entertainer. Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma's performances drew the most consistent praise, with several critics noting their screen presence as a highlight. A recurring criticism is that the film falls short of director Maneesh Sharma's previous Band Baaja Baaraat, with critics pointing to a predictable and ordinary middle stretch, weak chemistry between the leads in the latter half, and an unsatisfying climax. The overall consensus is that it works as passable multiplex fare but squanders its potential.

How the 12 scores spread

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of reviews from 12 publications · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (12)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    It's an easily watchable film with much to smile about. Pity it could've been so much more fun.
  2. Top critic

    Rediff

    Film review ·

    A very predictable con-versus-con film can be made enjoyable, but it needs to be breezy and engaging. We need to want to take sides and we need to care about the twists, and by the time Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl winds down in extremely simplistic fashion, we just don't care anymore. If this were a better-made film, we might have been justifiably outraged by the lame sexism meted out at the climax, but for now yawning seems reaction enough.
  3. Bollyspice

    Film review ·

    A Yash Raj film is always a cinematic treat. This is not a Band Baaja Baaraat hangover, this is Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl, and you know what, I am glad.
  4. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    While Ladies vs Ricky Bahl doesn't exceed expectations (like Band Baaja Baaraat), it doesn't con you in the name of entertainment either.
  5. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    On the whole, LADIES VS RICKY BAHL is, at best, a decent fare, which appeals in parts. The film starts well, even ends well. It's the in between that's plain ordinary. One definitely expected more from the director of the immensely likeable BAND BAAJA BAARAAT. Ideally, the film merits a two-and-a-half star rating, but that extra half star is for Ranveer and Anushka, who steal your heart with truly striking performances.
  6. DNA India

    Film review ·

    The film is definitely worth a watch because it is high on the story-telling factor. It tells you a good and a gripping story which seems real to you. We don't need we could ask for more from a Bollywood masala film.
  7. Koimoi

    Film review ·

    On the whole, Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl is a fair entertainer which will fetch returns for the producers and the distributors. It neither charms greatly nor cons the audience because it has its highs and lows. Around 60-70 per cent of the total investment of approximately Rs. 25 crore would come from non-theatrical sources like satellite, audio and video.
  8. Zee News

    Film review ·

    This hilariously fast paced romantic comedy, is a great catch this weekend. The music is amazing in the film, coming from the YRF camps most trusted music duo Salim-Suleiman.
  9. NDTV

    Film review ·

    The film loses out on the great chemistry we saw between him and Anushka in Band Baaja Baaraat, especially towards the end.

From our readers

Audience reviews (2)

3 ratings · user score 6.0

  1. 5/10

    We are now into the final month of 2011 & with just a handful of movies to hit the silver screens before this year is confined to history. As one would vividly recall the biggest surprise of 2010 was the success of "Band Baaja Baaraat", so one can naturally understand the expectations when the same team comes together for "Ladies vs Ricky Bahl". So can they repeat their glorious history??? Nowadays, whenever we open the newspapers there's a plethora of incidents related to conning. Incidentally, Maneesh Sharma has weaved his story based on this very concept. Dimple (Parineeti Chopra), is the reckless daughter of a rich Delhi businessman, who is head over heels for her fitness trainer boyfriend, Sunny (Ranveer Singh). After having gained the confidence of Dimple's parents, Sunny pulls a fast one on them before vanishing for good. His next target was Raina (Dipannita Sharma), a no-nonsense fiercely competitive corporate lady who was duped on the pretext of obtaining M.F Hussain's painting for her boss by posing as an art dealer, Deven. Feeling suspicious, Dimple contacts Raina who is also being contacted by a similar victim, Saira (Aditi Sharma) & realises that they have all been conned by the same person. The girls now hatch a plan to con the seasoned player with the help of Ishika (Anushka Sharma), a smart sales girl. So will the girls have the last laugh??? Though the idea of the story was interesting, I wouldnt term it as original as it seems definitely inspired from the Tamil flick "Naan Avan Illai".It's always easy when you are a debutant as there is no weight of expectations. But once you shine through in that phase, then things can get a bit too tough to handle as Maneesh would have felt. Maneesh kicks off the first half in a lively manner with much of the credit owing to Parineeti's impressive performance. Even the second con also manages to keep the audience interested but from then on, the film fails to keep up with the tempo. The second half invariably focuses on the girls trying to get back to him, but it doesnt attract as much attention. Habib Faisal's dialogues are witty while the music by Salim Sulaiman is hip. Rather than the protagonists, the person who impressed me the most was Parineeti Chopra who was brilliant as the demanding yet crazy Dimple. It's mainly due to her, that the first half was so enjoyable not to forget some of her witty one liners in the latter half as well. Ranveer has done a decent job with nothing much to go ga-ga but he does have the knack for being flirtatious while Anushka was impressive as always exuding confidence. As for the rest, both Dipannita & Aditi have done justice to their roles. Verdict: The initials are bound to be impressive owing to the expectations generated due to the stupendous success of their first film. With an impressive first half coupled with a decent second half, it should do average business in Multiplexes though it wont repeat the success of "Band Baaja Baaraat". In short, you my give it a try if you have time to spare!!! Rating: 2.5/5 Regards...Ben

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