Bobby Jasoos
Director: Samar Shaikh
Starring: Vidya Balan, Ali Fazal, Supriya Pathak, Kiran Kumar
Three stars
The second-best thing about this detective comedy – after Vidya Balan as the irrepressible Bobby Jasoos – is its backdrop: Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh and the recently carved out Telangana state.
It’s hard not to look over Balan’s shoulder and gape at what’s going on behind her – the cinematography is rich, with breathtaking shots of Charminar, Hyderabad’s iconic mosque; bazaars bright with bangles and shalwar kameez shops; and biryani stalls piled high with fragrant rice and meat.
In the midst of all this is Balan, effortless as the cheeky, fearless, sometimes bumbling amateur detective fighting for her place in this world of men and, closer to home, her conservative father.
Balan makes short work of her role – snooping, prying and assuming myriad disguises – with support from a bunch of exquisite actors. Supriya Pathak as Bobby’s anxious mother is delightful to watch, as is Kiran Kumar, who plays a dour, mysterious client.
But it is Ali Fazal who shines as Tasawur, a handsome television presenter whom Bobby constantly chides for not standing up to his father.
Tasawur’s romance with Bobby is presented as a side plot that slowly gains traction in the second half (with a couple of unnecessary songs, sadly). But the relationship is so delicately etched out that even the well-meaning music director Shantanu Moitra cannot spoil it.
With the two actors guiding the way, the film tumbles towards the climax, the dialogue consistently staying true to Hyderabad's unique version of spoken Hindi, and all the various threads neatly dovetailing against the chaotic, bedazzling cityscape. No surprises or twists here, but despite the predictability, Bobby Jasoos is a winner. And its biggest achievement? Putting Hyderabad on the map.
ciyer@thenational.ae
