Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Irrfan Khan, Lara Dutta, Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani

Director: Priyadarshan

Rating: 3.5/5
Let me be honest when I walked in to see Billu, I had next to no expectations. I thought the movie would be terrible because I somehow don’t have a taste for Priyadarshan films. And till the first half was complete all my fears were coming true. But then came the second half and blew me away – and I mean that in a good way!

Shah Rukh Khan plays Sahir Khan the superstar. He is an extension of SRK in today’s Bollywood. He has the screaming fans, shining Bentley, huge bodyguards and hit films. On the other hand in a small village is Irrfan Khan who is finding it difficult to make ends meet as a barber. His kids are close to being thrown out from school, he has no food at home and the newly opened salon opposite his in the market square is putting a further dent in his earnings.
For the filming of his movie Sahir Khan comes to Billu’s village to shoot his movie. Billu who has always told his kids that he and Sahir are friends is now faced with the impossible task of getting through the numerous guards and get his kids to meet the favourite superstar of the country. The kids squeal to their friends that their father, Billu, and Sahir are best mates. Soon enough Billu is the star of the village with everyone being extra nice to him because he knows Khan and will help them get that meeting with the superstar who is visiting. One of them is the committee of his kids’ school who want Billu to get Sahir for their golden jubilee celebration as the chief guest. For days Billu tries to dodge the villagers saying that before Sahir goes back, Billu will get his kids, is wife, the village money lender, the resident poet and every one else meet the big star.

However with just two days to go, the villagers are up in arms for not having met Khan as promised by Billu. They file a police complaint for fraud and cause a lot of damage in his salon.
On the other hand the school principal manages to convince Sahir Khan to come to the school for just some time to inspire the kids. He agrees and makes it to the function. And it is that event that Sahir tells the school children about his school days and his best friend Billu. And what he shares about Billu in those last twenty minutes will make this film an enjoyable one.

In terms of acting, the only way one can describe Irrfan Khan is understated brilliance. He is so innocent in his acting and the easy with which he shares the screen space with the King Khan makes you wonder about his talent. Shah Rukh Khan pulls off the superstar role well but for me the last 20 minutes are something that I want on constant repeat. However, having said that the one song in the first half where it almost seems like he is giving an ode to himself by featuring clips from his various films did seem a bit cheesy. You lose points there Mr. Khan.

Lara Dutta tries hard to pull off the village belle but leaves you disappointed. Israni and Rajpal Yadav are wasted. Om Puri comes at intervals and manages to make you smile.

In terms of direction Priyadarshan has done a good job. This is not his usual comic caper but his work behind the camera is faultless.

All in all Billu makes for a clean simple watch. It doesn’t have the thrills or spills that you see in today’s Bollywood. Go watch it just to warm your heart if nothing else! It will make you appreciate the people in your lives and that’s not a bad thing…