"Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi" directed by Bela Bhansali Sehgal, which marks chorographer and director Farah Khan's debut as an actor in the Bollywood, was realised on Friday. It also stars Boman Irani, Kavin Dave, Shammi in lead roles.
The film revolves around Parsi community, with 40-year-old couple's love life as the main focus. It may come as a breath of fresh air for the Hindi film audience, for those who had enough of peppy love stories for ages now or who are tired of Bollywood Khans' 'lovedom'.
The film has garnered mixed reviews from the film critics and here are what they reviewers had to say about "Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi".
Rohit Vats Rohit Vats of CNN-IBN appreciated the director for his smartness in casting of the film.
"The casting director of 'Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi' did a smart thing by employing actors belonging to Parsi community in all major roles, Farah Khan is half Parsi. It enhanced the authenticity level of the film as they got the accent right but still everything remained in the set frame. None of the actors tried anything which can throw new light on the problems of this 'on the verge of extinction' community," wrote Vats.
However, the reviewer opined that it affects the particular culture in a big way. "Films affect the popular culture in India in a big way and that's why we recognise people pronouncing 'dikra' or 'maasko' as Parsis. Being blunt rather straightforward is not a crime but 'Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi' is another film that establishes the stereotypes."
Meanwhile, Shilpa Jamkhandikar of Reuters suggested the viewers to avoid "Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi"."The film could have been a sweet romance, but turns out to be an entirely forgettable film that you would be best advised to avoid. If you must, watch it on television at home on a weekend when you have nothing better to do," wrote Jamkhandikar.
Talking about acting debutant Farah, Jamkhandikar wrote, "Farah Khan, in her acting debut, is rough around the edges and seems comfortable only when she's being herself. When she's called on to act, she gets self-conscious and awkward. This certainly doesn't help the already heavy tone of the film and its threadbare storyline."
Anupama Chopra of Hindustan Times appreciated director Sengal for choosing such a plot, that deals with middle-aged love story. However, he wrote, "Sadly, the good intentions are marred by a weak screenplay and limp execution. 'Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi' is a sweet but slight love story that is stretched so much that by the end, we no longer care if Shirin and Farhad live happily ever after or not."
"Boman's heart-felt performance lifts the film to some extent. He gives Farhad dignity. You feel for him, even when he's selling fluorescent green underwear. Clearly Bela has great affection for her characters. I just wish she had given them a better plot to play in," added Chopra.
However, Shomini Sen of Zee Movies have a diffrent take on the movie. She is of the opinion that "'Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi' is simple and endearing."
"She is not size zero. He doesn't have a six pack. But Boman Irani-Farah Khan definitely make for an adorable filmi jodi in their new film "Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi"," wrote Sen. "Directed by veteran editor Bela Bhansali Sehgal, the film is your usual filmy love story, which is predictable from the very beginning. But what sets it apart from the rest of the stories is the film's lead pair and some light-hearted moments which have been beautifully captured."
Sen suggested audience to give a shot at "Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi." "Go and watch the shy nervous Farhad woo the blunt Shirin. It will remind you of the bygone era when things were simpler," she concluded.
Vinayak Chakravorty of India Today is all praises for the film. He wrote that "Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi" worth a watch.
"It's a quirky twist to the much-abused Bollywood rom-com movie actually. Taking away the filmy lovers from the stereotypes of cool campuses and exotic locales, the film imagines a tale of middle-aged mush in middle-class Mumbai," wrote Chakravorty.
"Despite narrating a fairly predictable tale of love, the film works for the brilliant moments that the script provides. Bela's brother Sanjay Leela Bhansali, incidentally also the producer of this film, has penned quite a few scene stealers for the lead couple. Boman and Farah score full marks with chemistry," wrote Chakravorty. "It's a crazy ride guaranteed to leave you grinning as you leave the cinema. That makes it worth a watch."
