Critics verdict: Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi gets mixed reviews | Bollywood - Hindustan Times
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Critics verdict: Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi gets mixed reviews

Hindustantimes.com | By, New Delhi
Aug 24, 2012 06:22 PM IST

Farah-Boman's Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi is a feel-good entertainer, but somewhere director Bela Sehgal messes up with the execution. Farah Khan is best when she’s not acting, her persona suiting the role. Boman Irani is a delight, feel critics.

Farah-Boman's Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi is a feel-good entertainer, but somewhere director Bela Sehgal messes up with the execution. Farah Khan is best when she’s not acting, her persona suiting the role. Boman Irani is a delight, feel critics.



"Shirin Farhad... is quite clearly modelled on the Hrishikesh Mukherjee brand of cinema – you meet good-hearted characters, enter their lives, see them dealing with regular problems and then resolving conflicts without much ado or overt drama," writes Aniruddha Guha, DNA.



"However, Sehgal tries to infuse Bollywood-y elements like romantic songs and occasional melodrama in her film about two middle-aged Parsis finding love. It’s tough to say if Sehgal intended to spoof the romantic genre as Hindi film audiences know it or stay true to it, but you wish Shirin Farhad... didn’t try too hard to conform to norms," adds Guha.



"The concept is unique, but Sehgal messes up the execution. The jokes are forced and reflect none of the sharp Parsi humour that we are used to. Where it could have turned out to be an endearing love story between two people who are looking for love and companionship, Sehgal subjects us to random gags and toilet humour that isn't even funny," writes Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Reuters.

"Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi doesn't come across as a film on heartbreaks, heartaches or rona-dhona. This one's a feel-good entertainer. You wear a smile on your face as you exit the auditorium," writes Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama.

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"The sole shortcoming of the film is that it tends to get a little melodramatic and overemphasized intermittently, but, thankfully, the cute scenes between the central characters camouflages this itsy-bitsy deficiency," adds Adarsh.

"Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi (SFKTNP) goes on to prove that the hero doesn't need to be right out of Mills and Boons and his love interest can have a few extra love handles. Love stories about the middle-aged have been only appreciated for their comic relief or for catering to those from the same age group as the couple on the screen. But brushing aside these notions, we are ushered into a world where man meets woman, a seductive saxophone fills up the air and then their paunches collide. Love at first bump. No honking sound-effects thankfully," writes Kunal Guha, Yahoo.

Direction
"The other debutant in this film, director Bela Bhansali Sehgal gets full marks for managing to set the mood and for keeping this ship from sinking even in the melodramatic scenes. Opening with a rom-com may seem like a safe bet but if your lead pair is 45+ in age and waist size, you're really Russian Roulette-ing with your career. But having been a film editor pays off as Bela understands the importance of containing a scene and avoids any spillovers," feels Guha.

Script
"The film never catches hold of you, and in spite of a short running time of less than two hours, it seems to stretch on forever, thanks to a haphazard script. Most of the cast seem to think comedy means hamming, especially Boman Irani, who overdoes every scene," feels Jamkhandikar.


Performances

"Farah Khan is best when she’s not acting, her persona suiting the role. Sehgal’s film seems a lot better than it is due to the performance of the two actors and the chemistry between them. A number of Parsi actors like Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal, Kurush Deboo, etc, lend the film a real vibe," feels Guha.

"Boman Irani is a delight and applies himself to his craft as assiduously as ever. Farah Khan's acting debut may be a bit delayed but she extends a vulnerable playfulness to her character and should've opted for this a decade ago. Honey Irani and Shammi are both equally cute and adorable, even when they say the most obvious things or react predictably in scenes or get screamingly dramatic," says Guha.

"Farah Khan, in her acting debut, is rough around the edges and seems comfortable only when she's being herself. When she's called on to act, she gets self-conscious and awkward. This certainly doesn't help the already heavy tone of the film and its threadbare storyline," observes Jamkhandikar.

"After portraying a wide variety of roles in films like Munnabhai series, Veer Zaara, 3 Idiots, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Well Done Abba, Eklavya, Don series and the recent Ferrari Ki Sawaari, Boman Irani portrays yet another part that makes him stand out in the crowd -- he plays a lover boy, a part he hasn't portrayed earlier. It's a sheer delight watching him get this part absolutely right. Brownie points to this supremely talented actor for yet another flawless performance!" feels Adarsh.


"The script needed someone as lively and boisterous as Farah Khan and if one were to use a cliche, she suits the role to the T. Though this is Farah's first attempt at acting, she depicts the character with fervor. In fact, I doubt, any other actor would've pulled off this role with such deftness and flair. She nails the character and how!" adds Adarsh.

Conclusion
"At under two hours, Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi demands little of you and delivers enough for you to not grudge spending time and money on it. I suggest you watch it for some honest moments and a lovable performance by Boman Irani," concludes Guha.

"Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi could have been a sweet romance, but turns out to be an entirely forgettable film that you would be best advised to avoid. If you must, watch it on television at home on a weekend when you have nothing better to do," feels Jamkhandikar.

On the whole, Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi is a simple, unfussy and heartfelt movie that hits the right notes. The film supports the fact that no one is too old to fall in love. Truly, this wonderful love story has no expiry date. Recommended!" concludes Adarsh.


Tweet review

IBNLiveMovies: #Shirinfarhad's biggest flaw is the lack of a well thought out central conflict, still it's enjoyable. #tweetreview

IBNLiveMovies: It's good that filmmakers are coming up with new concepts and better characterisation. #Shirinfarhad is above average. #tweetreview

IBNLiveMovies: Farah's inhibitions restrict the flow at some places but overall #Shirinfarhad doesn't stagnate. #tweetreview

IBNLiveMovies: The length of #Shirinfarhad is just perfect. Editor should be complimented. Background score is overpowering at times. #tweetreview

Twitter Buzz
@sonamakapoor: Best of luck for shirin farhad @TheFarahKhan ! From the buzz that's going around btown..Its gonna be great!

@TheFarahKhan: Well the day is here.the judge will b judged?from the bottom of my heart n heart of my bottom thank u Boman.Without farhad there's no shirin




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