Barfi: ****

There have been very good movies and not so good movies on deaf and mute or mentally challenged protagonists. Each one has its own tone, identity and an emotional chord with its audience. However, one common factor in these movies is the vulnerability of the protagonists and their struggle with normal people around them. Their portrayal as victims of the harsh world deliberately or inadvertently imposes a feeling of sympathy and sadness. Anurag Basus's cinematic extravaganza Barfi refuses to follow these stereotypes and is akin to the breath of a fresh air.

Set in 3 time scales of current, 1978 and 1972, Barfi is a story of a deaf and mute boy (Ranbir Kapoor) from Darjeeling and his relationship with his two leading ladies Shruti (Ilena) and Jilmil (Priyanka Chopra). Born to a chauffeur's wife who named his son after the famous Murphy Radio's baby mascot. Extremely charming, mischievous and likeable is Murphy that despite of his disability he is loved equally by all (and they call him Burfi for the way he speaks his name “Burpheee..”while introducing himself) except one fat cop who is always after Murphy like his tail.

This happy go lucky prankster loses his heart to a beautiful girl Shruti who is already engaged and to be married after 3 months. Having spent few days in Darjeeling, Murphy's infectious charm and purity takes over Shruti and she develops soft corner for him. Their bicycle races, horse rides and crazy night outs confuses Shruti and she confronts her mother who tells her own story and convinces her to forget Murphy. During this period Murphy goes to Shruti's house to meet her parents with a marriage proposal and finds Shruti with her fiance. Soon he realizes the reality and leaves her house. Shruti follows him and Murphy for the first time feels that he is victim of his disability and poverty when he expresses this to Shruti and she could not do anything but to cry over her helplessness. Amidst this events, we are introduced to a new character Jilmil who is an autistic girl from a rich family living in a special school visiting her ailing Grand father and meets her childhood friend Murphy. Murphy needs Rs. 7000 to treat his ailing father and he gets a killer idea to kidnap Jilmil to get ransom money. What happens next is a series of events that brings Jilmil and Murphy together for a lifetime and in the end we are shown a critically ill Murphy lying on death bed while Jilmil joins him for another journey together.

First 15 minutes in the movie and we know we are about to witness something special as movie takes 3 time scales jump back and forth. Anurag Basu's fantastic direction and wonderful cinematography makes Burfi a treat to watch. His characters looks so real and authentic. Anurag's uncanny ability to show beauty amidst pain and vice versa is commendable. There are some superbly crafted moments of laughter, romance and pain which gives us tears and smiles at the same time. Pritam has composed some very good melodies which gels perfectly with the mood of the movie.

Ranbir Kapoor has probably got the role of his lifetime in Barfi and he has justified it to the Tee. Brilliant is the only word that comes in mind for his performance. His Charlie Chaplin antics never looks copycat but he brings his own strength to the character. He sends clear message not only to his contemporaries but also to the acting stalwarts (and so called mega stars) that he is next big thing. He doesn't drop his shirt, doesn't throw a whacky punchline, doesn't romance in expensive designer suits yet looks irresistibly charming and fresh. Ilena D'cruz looks beautiful and impresses in her first hindi movie. Priyanka Chopra is good in pieces but her role seems too stretched and repetitive.

Barfi is another milestone after Black and will be remembered for a long time for its brilliant performances and fantastic direction. Even if you have diabetes, you can eat this Barfi!!