“Bala 2019” is a Hindi-language comedy film about a man named Balmukund Shukla, whose premature balding causes him to feel insecure and struggle with his self-esteem. He tries various remedies to grow his hair back, including applying onion juice and undergoing hair transplant surgery. Along the way, he falls in love with a woman named Pari Mishra, who initially rejects him due to his looks but later grows to appreciate his personality. In the end, Bala learns to embrace himself for who he is, baldness and all.
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Review
Bala: A Tale of Self-Acceptance
In today’s society, physical appearance plays a significant role in defining a person’s character. The movie “Bala” beautifully portrays the harsh reality of how societal norms can lead to social pressure and self-esteem issues. The film has created quite the buzz with its storyline, thought-provoking dialogues, and outstanding performances.
The story revolves around Balmukund Shukla, aka Bala, played brilliantly by Ayushmann Khurrana. Bala is a young man battling premature balding from an early age. He tries every possible remedy to overcome his hair loss but to no avail. His obsession with having perfect hair takes a toll on his confidence and self-worth.
The plot takes a turn when he meets Latika Trivedi (Bhumi Pednekar), who he initially adores for her fair complexion but later falls in love with her true self. On the other hand, Pari Mishra (Yami Gautam) plays an aspiring model who rejects him for his baldness initially but later develops feelings for him.
One of the notable quotes from the movie is when Bala says, “True beauty lies within.” This statement resonates with the theme of the film, which revolves around self-acceptance and overcoming societal pressure.
The casting has been immaculate in portraying their characters convincingly on screen. The audience can relate to each character’s personalities and struggles effortlessly. Their impeccable acting skills add depth to each scene, making it a memorable experience for viewers.
The film explores complex issues concerning societal norms and standards that have been normalized over time through media and advertising campaigns that contribute to people’s insecurities about their appearance.
The movie’s popularity is undeniable as it grossed approximately 180 crore rupees worldwide within its first week of release. This extraordinary success can be attributed not only to its heartwarming storyline but also to its fantastic score and remarkable cinematography.
The film was shot in various locations around Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, capturing the essence of North Indian culture, which adds to the film’s appeal. The colorful sets and captivating visuals create a lively atmosphere that adds to the film’s charm.
“Bala” has received several accolades since its release, including Best Dialogue and Best Supporting Actress at the 65th Filmfare Awards. The film’s success can be attributed not only to its thoughtful storyline but also to the crew’s dedication in bringing it to life through production, editing, and special effects.
One of the most memorable scenes from the movie is when Bala visits a hair restoration clinic where they try to sell him folk remedies like cow urine mixed with horse semen or snakes’ blood. The scene is both hilarious and heartbreaking as it shows how far someone will go to overcome their insecurities.
The movie has also been subjected to criticism for promoting colorism by portraying Bhumi Pednekar as a darker-skinned woman who considers becoming fairer using skin-lightening creams. However, this criticism is debatable as it depicts real-life scenarios where fairness still holds value in Indian society and serves as a conversation starter on colorism.
In conclusion, “Bala” is an engaging movie that highlights societal pressure on physical appearance, self-esteem issues that people face daily, and how true beauty lies within. Its cast delivers remarkable performances with memorable dialogues that leave an impact on viewers. The film’s success can be attributed not only to its thought-provoking storyline but also to its stunning visuals and fascinating score. It is a must-watch for anyone dealing with self-doubt and an essential reminder of self-acceptance in today’s world.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 133
- Release : 2019-11-07
- Genre : Comedy, Romance
- Cast : Ayushmann Khurrana as Balmukund “Bala” Shukla, Bhumi Pednekar as Latika Trivedi, Yami Gautam as Pari Mishra, Saurabh Shukla as Bala’s Father, Javed Jaffrey as Bachchan Bhaiya
- Crew : Karan Johar as Thanks, Dinesh Vijan as Producer, Shajith Koyeri as Sound Designer, Hemanti Sarkar as Editor, Sachin Sanghvi as Original Music Composer
- Popularity 7.613
- Budget : $25,000
- Revenue : 0
- Company : Maddock Films, Jio Studios
- Summary : A man suffering from alopecia copes with his lack of self-confidence and the societal pressure that comes with being bald.
- Tagline :
