Remember Shah Rukh Khan’s mesmerizing character in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? Remember how he created this benchmark for all the ‘Raj’s and ‘Rahul’s in the world?
Well, he has done it again! There might not be another person named Bauua Singh but Shah Rukh Khan’s amazing performance has breathed life into another character who is going to be remembered for centuries.
Zero, just like any other Shah Rukh Khan movie is a saga of love. Metaphorically, it is a story of how one can often be swayed by the winds to dream of the other parts of the world even when he is aware that for him, his little cottage is his world.
Illuminating the plot, Bauua Singh (Shah Rukh Khan) is a vertically challenged, 39 year old man who is looking to get married. He finds Aafia Yusufzai Bhinder (Anushka Sharma), a scientist working with NASA through Shaadi.com and is instantly attracted to her. However, on meeting her, he learns that she has Cerebral Palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. Yet, he makes her fall in love with him and leaves her. However she comes to find him and his family. The both are set to get married when Bauua gets selected in a dance competition through which, if he wins, he would get to meet the woman of his dreams – Babita Kumari (Katrina Kaif). He is faced with the conflict of proving himself to the world that he is capable of something or getting married. So does Bauua leave Aafia, the girl he ran behind for weeks to woo, for some actress on the big screen? Does he even win the competition? What intimacy does he share with this actress that makes him go crazy about her? All I can tell you is, the second half of the movie has Bauua going from ‘Meerut to Mars’!
You have to watch this piece of total entertainment to know more!
A few points about the movie that can be discussed in isolation are:
- Story and Background Score: In the first half of the movie, it seems that the writers have made quite an effort to engage the audience in a novel love story where the two individuals have their own challenges, yet, acknowledge it and try to make themselves a part of something bigger. The latter part of the movie deals with a lot of far stretched situations and it feels as though the story is all over over the place. This makes the movie seem too long. To this chaos, the Background Score acts as a pacifier. The movie is filled with some very entertaining music. Mere Naam Tu and its entire filming is any girl’s dream love story come true. Husn Parcham stands out and is Babita Kumari’s introductory song.
- Cinematography: Director, Anand L Rai and Writer, Himanshu Sharma of the movie Zero, have clearly put in a lot of efforts into making this movie. A plethora of actors and actresses have cameos in the film, making it very eye appealing. These include super stars such as Deepika Padukone, Salman Khan, R.Madhavan, Remo D’Souza etc. but to watch the most beautiful star- Sridevi perform was a hard hit of nostalgia coupled with a hint of sadness. To add to the positives, the movie includes a few frames which are mesmerising. Such as, the scene in the balcony where Bauua and Aafia are watching the stars in their balcony and the entire song- Mera Naam Tu which is filled with so many colours and water droplets that make every still in the song simply stunning!
- Performances: Shah Rukh Khan does complete justice in his role of a peppy vertically challenged man who dwells in his own world of delusions and of course, his charm and charisma are like a cherry on the cake. Anushka Sharma’s efforts in playing the role of Aafia can be appreciated but she isn’t consistent in her performance, thereby failing to rationalize her part. Katrina Kaif (surprisingly, considering her in work in song Husn Parcham) has done amazing work in the movie. She completely convinces the audience by her earnest performance. In the supporting roles, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as Guddu Singh stands out with his hilarious dialogue delivery style. The performances of Tigmanshu Dhulia as Bauua’s father, Sheeba Chaddha as Beena Singh and Brijendra Kala as marriage alliance officer are also commendable.
In conclusion, the truth is, Zero isn’t as entertaining as people would have expected it to be. But if you are a Shah Rukh Khan crazy fan or a sucker for that weekend movie time, it is definitely not that bad of a deal!
I would give the film 3 chirps. Zero is a ‘Chota Packet, Badaa Dhamaaka’. It is filled with amusing comedy, spectacular drama, heart- wrenching sadness and last but not the least, it is the zenith of all love that transcends earthly boundaries!
