BOL BACHCHAN (2012)

Summary:

Bol Bachchan is a vibrant Hindi action-comedy film directed by Rohit Shetty, starring Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan in lead roles. The story revolves around Abbas Ali, a young man from Delhi who, due to unfortunate circumstances, loses his ancestral property and moves to a village called Ranakpur with his sister, Sania. In Ranakpur, he inadvertently saves a child's life in a temple but is forced to lie about his identity to the village strongman, Prithviraj Raghuvanshi, who despises liars. This initial lie spirals into a complex web of deceit, forcing Abbas to invent a fictional twin brother, "Abbas Ali," to explain his Muslim identity whenever his sister is around, while he himself assumes the persona of "Abhishek Bachchan."

The film cleverly uses the premise of mistaken identity and the protagonist's desperate attempts to maintain two distinct personas to generate comedic situations. As the lies escalate, Abbas finds himself juggling two love interests – one for each identity – and navigating the volatile temper of Prithviraj, who unknowingly becomes deeply fond of both "Abhishek" and "Abbas." The narrative is a rollercoaster of slapstick humor, action sequences, and emotional moments, ultimately leading to a chaotic climax where the truth is revealed, and the characters must confront the consequences of their actions. Bol Bachchan is a lighthearted entertainer that showcases the comedic timing of its lead actors and Rohit Shetty's signature style of grand-scale action and humor.

Keywords: Bol Bachchan, 2012, Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, Rohit Shetty, Comedy, Action, Hindi Film, Mistaken Identity, Lies, Ranakpur.

Plot:

The story opens in Delhi, where Abbas Ali, a young, educated man, lives with his younger sister Sania. Their peaceful life is disrupted when their ancestral property, a 'akhara' (wrestling arena), is illegally encroached upon by a conniving relative. Despite their best efforts, a court ruling goes against them, leaving them financially devastated and homeless. Abbas, determined to protect his sister and start anew, decides to move to Ranakpur, a village known for its traditional values and the formidable presence of Prithviraj Raghuvanshi, a man of immense strength, strict principles, and an unwavering hatred for lies. Prithviraj is a local strongman who governs the village with an iron fist, but also with a sense of justice, albeit a peculiar one.

Upon arriving in Ranakpur, Abbas and Sania find refuge with their uncle, Shastri. One day, while at a local temple, Abbas witnesses a child trapped beneath a dangerously unstable idol. Without hesitation, he springs into action, using his physical prowess to hold up the collapsing idol, saving the child's life. Prithviraj, who is present at the temple, is deeply impressed by Abbas's bravery and strength. He approaches Abbas and asks for his name. However, a previous misunderstanding, fueled by Shastri's exaggerated warnings about Prithviraj's intolerance towards people of other faiths, makes Abbas hesitant to reveal his true Muslim identity in a Hindu temple. In a moment of panic, he spontaneously invents a new name: Abhishek Bachchan. This impulsive lie sets the stage for the entire comedic premise of the film.

Prithviraj, still impressed, offers "Abhishek" a job as his accountant. The situation becomes infinitely more complicated when Sania arrives at Prithviraj's mansion, where "Abhishek" is now living. To explain her presence and his own Muslim identity to the strict Prithviraj, Abbas is forced to concoct an elaborate story: he claims to have a twin brother, "Abbas Ali," who is Muslim, while "Abhishek" is Hindu. This necessitates a constant, frantic switching between the two personas. "Abhishek" is portrayed as a sophisticated, slightly effeminate, Hindi-speaking man, while "Abbas Ali" is depicted as a rugged, strong, English-speaking man, complete with a mustache and a deeper voice. Abbas's friend, Ravi Shastri, becomes his reluctant accomplice, helping him manage the quick changes and maintain the increasingly complex charade.

The lie deepens further as romantic entanglements begin to form. Sania, Abbas's sister, falls deeply in love with Prithviraj, who, despite his tough exterior, is genuinely kind and protective. Simultaneously, Radhika, Prithviraj's vivacious younger sister, becomes smitten with "Abhishek." This creates a double dilemma for Abbas, who now has to manage two distinct romantic relationships while maintaining his two separate identities. The constant switching between "Abhishek" and "Abbas" leads to a series of hilarious misunderstandings, close calls, and physically demanding stunts, as Abbas races against time to change costumes, accents, and mannerisms, often in plain sight.

Prithviraj's hatred for lies stems from a painful past incident where his father was betrayed by a close friend, leaving a deep scar on his psyche. This makes Abbas's deception all the more perilous. However, Prithviraj grows increasingly fond of both "Abhishek" and "Abbas." He admires "Abhishek's" intelligence and "Abbas's" strength and honesty (ironically). "Abbas Ali," the fictional brother, gains a formidable reputation in the village through Abbas's cleverly orchestrated acts of heroism, such as confronting Prithviraj's arch-rival, Lallan Singh, and his goons. These actions further solidify Prithviraj's trust and respect for both "brothers."

As the film progresses, the pressure on Abbas intensifies. Prithviraj arranges Sania's marriage to himself, and Radhika, oblivious to the deception, expresses her desire to marry "Abhishek." The stage is set for a grand double wedding, which threatens to expose Abbas's elaborate lie. Prithviraj's suspicious uncle, Maakhan Singh, who has always harbored doubts about "Abhishek" and "Abbas," begins to piece together clues. He secretly informs Lallan Singh about the strange behavior of the "brothers," hoping to expose them and cause chaos for Prithviraj. Lallan Singh, seizing the opportunity to get revenge on Prithviraj, decides to expose the truth during the wedding ceremony.

The climax is a chaotic explosion of action and comedy. As the wedding preparations are underway, Maakhan and Lallan Singh orchestrate a series of events designed to reveal Abbas's deception. Prithviraj, initially confused by the conflicting evidence, eventually confronts Abbas. The truth, when it finally comes out, shatters Prithviraj's trust and unleashes his fury. A massive brawl ensues, involving Abbas, Ravi, Prithviraj, Lallan Singh, and their respective goons. During the intense fight, Abbas, as himself, explains the circumstances that forced him to lie – his initial fear of Prithviraj's perceived intolerance and his desire to protect his sister. He reveals that his intentions were never malicious but born out of necessity and self-preservation.

Touched by Abbas's heartfelt explanation and realizing the genuine love and respect Abbas holds for him and his family, Prithviraj's anger subsides. He understands the predicament Abbas was in and forgives him. The villains, Lallan Singh and Maakhan Singh, are dealt with decisively by Prithviraj and Abbas. The film concludes with a joyous double wedding, where Abbas Ali marries Radhika, and Sania marries Prithviraj Raghuvanshi, bringing the convoluted tale to a happy and harmonious end. The movie celebrates the triumph of love and understanding over initial misunderstandings and prejudices, all wrapped in Rohit Shetty's signature style of over-the-top action and humor.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Ajay Devgn as Prithviraj Raghuvanshi
• Abhishek Bachchan as Abbas Ali / Abhishek Bachchan
• Asin Thottumkal as Sania Ali
• Prachi Desai as Radhika Raghuvanshi
• Archana Puran Singh as Zohra (Shastri's wife)
• Krishna Abhishek as Ravi Shastri
• Neeraj Vora as Maakhan Singh
• Jeetu Verma as Vishnu
• Asrani as Shastri

Crew:

• Director: Rohit Shetty
• Producers: Ajay Devgn, Dhilin Mehta, Naren Kumar
• Writers: Yunus Sajawal (Screenplay), Robin Bhatt (Story), Farhad-Sajid (Dialogue)
• Music Directors: Himesh Reshammiya, Ajay-Atul
• Cinematography: Dudley
• Editor: Steven H. Bernard
• Action Director: Rohit Shetty

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: July 6, 2012
• Language: Hindi
• Genre: Action, Comedy
• Running Time: 155 minutes
• Accolades: Nominated for various popular awards including Filmfare Awards for Best Actor in a Comic Role (Abhishek Bachchan), Stardust Awards for Best Actor – Comedy (Abhishek Bachchan), and Zee Cine Awards for Best Actor in a Comic Role (Abhishek Bachchan).