Movie Review: BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP (2011)

Pushing 70, Amitabh Bachchan (Al Pacino of Bollywood) is more or less considered a respected veteran that has moved onto older roles. Obviously. So when he does a new movie, which shows him as an action hero, it’s somewhat laughable. However, BBUDDAH HOGA TERA BAAP is done so well that, it really is shocking, but for different reasons.

Rating: 3 Out Of 5 Stars

The premise: A retired gangster comes back to a world he left behind decades ago, for one last job. Pretty simple. The kicker is that, the retired gangster is pushing 70 years old and a flashy and loud bad ass.

Amitabh Bachchan as Vijju obviously steals the show as the one liner spouting, gangster with wisdom and a fashion sense that would make Elton John cringe. But the best part of the film is how the character Vijju isn’t meant to be a badass despite his age, but because of it. “Your Dad May Be Old”. That’s a horrible rough translation of the title of the film, because it’s a phrase that’s meant as more of a retort when someone insults him by calling him a grandpa.

his thighs must be chaffing… 😐

Not just a gimmicky movie though, BBUDDAH… does have an original storyline, with great performances and awesome execution. The job that Vijju comes back to take is a contract by a bad guy to kill the up and coming cop who’s taken it upon himself to rid the city of the mafia… or so we think.

There’s an awesome twist in the middle, which changes the entire tone of the film. Obviously being a Bollywood movie, some things have to not be criticized too harshly. BBUDDAH… is an awesome ‘masala’ (fluff) entertainer, which rounds itself out with elements of humor, emotional drama and some great action.

AND he can still dance… and sing… and, well he’s awesome. let’s leave it at that.

Sonu Sood as the ambitious cop goes one on one against Vijju. Hema Malini as Vijju’s former wife, who left him because of his criminal ways, does her job in a small role. There are others, but they’re all shadowed by Amitabh’s larger than life performance.

cool kid…

BBUDDAH HOGA TERA BAAP almost gives me tones of SHAFT. An aging badass with a history of badassery who handles his shit with style and panache. The film itself is a throwback to Amitabh Bachchan’s younger days where he was known for his angry young man portrayals. I doubt there’s any other actor in Bollywood whose dialogues from films 30+ years ago, are still quoted to this day, by kids.

BBUDDAH… is a flashback to all who remember Bachchan films likes SHOLAY, ZANJEER, LAWARIS, SHARAABI and the likes. It’s a tribute to Bachchan’s own days of kicking ass and taking names. The film almost mocks the fact that this is an old guy, who’s the hero of an action flick… but they do so with pride and balls, no apologies.

BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP is a wicked action entertainer with the guy who reinvented the concept of a badass hero, who despite his age, plays yet another badass hero and does so to perfection.