MUSIC | REVIEW | MUSIC REVIEW

B.R.Films have been associated with making socially relevant films for half a century now. Last film coming from their stable was 'Baghban' which turned out to be a phenomenal success when released. Film's success was special because it came at a time when the trend of making money in the first couple of weeks was just about catching up in India whereas 'Baghban' didn't really set the cash registers ringing in the first few days.

                          Later, it was due to audience's nod of approval that the film rose from strength to strength and word of mouth ensured that 'Baghban' continues to be one of the most talked family films even today. This time around director Ravi Chopra picks up the issue of widow-remarriage and creates a film with his 'Baghban' cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini and Salman Khan. Kapoors were a happy family. In fact one of those ideal families where nothing could go wrong and everything was just perfect. The family was headed by multi-millionaire businessman Balraj Kapoor [Amitabh Bachchan] and his wife Shobhana Kapoor [Hema Malini]. Apple of their eyes was their only son Avinash [Salman Khan] who had returned from abroad after his studies and now wanted to be with his family in India.

Balraj Kapoor was a dream husband and father for Shobhana and Avinash. He used to pamper them, tease them, have fun and enjoy life and the luxuries it got along with it. A progressive man who believed in equality for all and always took the side of right in the face of toughest of diversities, he knew how to do the balancing act when it came to his family and responsibilities.

For Shobhana, Balraj and Avinash were the two men who were the pillars of her life. As much as she used to chide them for their playful ways, in her heart she only had love and affection for them. On the other hand Avinash was pretty much boy-like who was innocent at heart which used to beat for Malvika a.k.a. Millie [Rani Mukherjee]. A girl of today who knew the importance of friendship and love and the real value and meaning of each of them, Millie's other love was painting. She could be found fighting with the ones closest to her but even they knew that it was out of her love for them than anything else. With everything seemingly perfectly placed, the next logical thing for the family was to marry Avinash and Millie. While for each of them this was a moment of their lives, for one person this was a moment of joy as well as pain. He was Rajat [John Abraham], a singer, who was always in love with Millie but couldn't express it to her in spite of the two being the best of friends. And now with the love of her life going away to someone else, he could only feel sad for himself and happy for her! He was off to Europe to get immersed in his musical career.

Months passed by and Chopras were set to have celebrations time again with the birth of Avinash and Millie's son - Ansh. But were the celebrations meant to last long? Or did destiny had some other plans for them? Kapoors were handed over a cruel blow as Avinash was killed in an accident. Balraj, Shobhana and Millie were in an unbearable state and the world seemed crashing down for them. The only factor that helped them survive the catastrophe was Ansh.

With an unpleasant situation like this and no respite in the future, a thought struck Balraj. And this was a thought that was going to be a life changing experience for everyone involved. He was left wondering that why didn't Millie have a right to a better future ahead? Why did she have to let a whole life in front of her just go as fate had decided for her? Why did Ansh have to be without a father for an entire life? Why couldn't Millie remarry? A noble thought indeed but an issue which would find a difficult solution. Will there be support of any kind from even the ones who are close to him

The first hurdle that he faced was from Millie herself. After all she was a girl who believed that love and marriage happened only once in a person's life. And how about Shobhana? Attached to her son, even she wasn't a woman who could take so kindly of her daughter-in-law to get married to someone else? And the worst opposition came from Balraj's elder brother Balwant [Om Puri], a man attached to his roots and tradition, who was settled in rural Punjab with his family and his widowed sister-in-law and couldn't even imagine walking through such a progressive path!

What would Balraj do from here? Would he allow his daughter-in-law to resign to her fate? Or would he take a step as if he was her own father, baabul, and challenge the society for the traditions and superstitions it has created? Will he be able to defy his own family, let alone the society? A soul stirring drama that promises to raise a lot of questions and act as an eye opener for the society we live in, 'Baabul' also stars Aman Verma, Parmeet Sethi, Rajpal Yadav, Smita Jaykar, Avtar Gill, Gargi Patel, Sharat Saxena and Vaishnavi with music by Aadesh Shrivastav.

Movie Releasing on : 8th Dec 2006