Billu BarberBillu Barber (also known as Billu), is a thoroughly enjoyable movie. It’s one of those movies where you want to bow and touch the feet of the director and cinematographer. The colours felt really fifties to me, lots of mid-hued timber with warm reds and blues. Every single frame is perfectly shot and the landscape was so good that I had to watch the credits to find out where the outdoor locations were filmed. Just so you know, it’s a place called Pollachi in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Tourist board marketing officer will probably get a massive bonus this year, whether s/he arranged the shoot or not! 
Irrfan Khan is the face of Billu, below. Check out those lush green fields and mountains…mmm… And his bike has retro-chic appeal. I really enjoyed Irrfan’s performance as Billu, this was the first time I’d seen him as the lead in a movie and I was pleasantly surprised.
When interviewed by the Times of India about working with Danny Boyle in Slumdog Millionaire and Shahrukh Khan in Billu Barber, here’s Irrfan’s reply:“(it was) very good. Both of them share a common factor which is humility personified, despite their achievements. They are also very creative. All this while I thought to be a successful businessman you have to be little dishonest and crooked in your dealings. But Shah Rukh changed my views. There is imandaari (honesty) and scruples in his dealings.”
You can read the full interview with Irrfan Khan here. 
The surprise for me was Lara Dutta, whom I have to admit I didn’t even recognize in Billu Barber. Ok, I don’t have the greatest ability for facial recognition, but what I mean is that she played the role of pretty but slightly rustic looking village wife.
The contrast between her character portrayal which was heartfelt and compelling and her real life interview
(viewable at www.billubarber.com)
where she seems incredibly vain and shallow, was remarkable and a little shocking to me, I have to admit. But that was the first time and only time I’d heard her interviewed.The basic storyline is that a film shoot comes to a small rural village and everyone naturally gets very excited trying to ingratiate themselves with the film crew, become extras in the movie and generally have a good look at the proceedings. All except one guy, Billu, who, despite his reluctance, is pulled kicking and screaming into the drama by a rumour that goes through the village that he’s old friends with the Bollywood Hero, Sahir Khan, played by Shahrukh Khan—and this has to go down as the longest barely disguised cameo appearance in film history. 
It’s quite hilarious and probably noone other than Shah Rukh could pull it off. And at least the props like magazine covers and posters were probably cheap--unlike the Matrix effects pictured below!
Billu Barber isn’t action packed, edge of your seat action. As long as you’re not expecting the grand opera style of Om Shanti Om, you’ll be glad you saw this film. It’s a week or so foray into a South Indian village, hanging out with the locals…and a megastar. There’s enough songs and item girls to keep everyone entertained and the performances are great all round.You can see the full trailer at www.billubarber.com or here below with English subtitles: Enjoy.
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