Red, white and a lot of bullets

There’s not much you can alter in the story when it is ‘inspired’ by Romeo and Juliet. The lovers will have to die in the end. Not even Sanjay Leela Bhansali can alter that. So Goliyon ki Raasleela Ram Leela is just a bigger, more grandiose, sexier, a semi-Baz Luhermmanish take on Romeo and Juliet.

One thing is for sure, when Bhansali is at it, you can be rest assured that what you get to see on 70 mm is nothing less than a visual extravaganza - like him or hate him - you have to give him his dues. The man knows what looks lavish on screen.

Now this Goliyon ki Raasleela Ram Leela (ok, let’s make this

GRRL) is about the centuries old enmity of the Rajadis and the Sanedas (the Indian equivalents of the Montagues and the Capulets) that reaches its blood bathed crescendo when Ram (Ranveer Singh) and Leela (Deepika Padukone) fall in love. 

More or less sticking to the Shakespearean trajectory, filial blood is spilled and all hell breaks loose.  The lovers must clear their own star-crossed paths but friends, family and the political unrest the deaths unleash, have different plans. Bhansali adds his little twist but the end is just as it was.

Of course there is the generous sprinkling of Bollywood drama, some electric chemistry and some gorgeous songs and scenes. While 

GRRL has nothing exclusive to offer that a terrible Issaq, an insipid Ishaqzaade already hasn’t given to Bollywood. But we give credit where it’s due. Bhansali makes it all look so good! 

Deepika looks ravishing and Ranveer with his exceedingly low slung dhoti has never looked hotter. At times it feels like watching Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam on ecstasy. The almost virginal passion Aishwarya and Salman had oozed gets sexed up a million times and it is best explained as KLPD (we aren’t spelling out this one!) when you realize by the end of the movie that this love affair is left unconsummated. I don’t care if Deepika and Ranveer are dating or not, they surely make it look very real.

Another thing Bhansali does like a pro is pick his supporting actors. Right from Supriya Pathak to Gulshan Devaiah, Richa Chaddha and Abhimanyu Singh - each and everyone are very very raw and real in their roles. 

Though we must add that the sheer number of guns and free-flow of bullets seem rather farcical and redundant at the end of it all. We get the point - they talk in violence - but there was no need of all those million shots in the air.

The music will remind you of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in most cases especially the Nagada Sang Dhol and there is also some incredible choreography. Oh! Ranveer still needs to learn how to dance, Tattad Tattad works only because he is not allowed to dance much.  Should you watch GRRL? Definitely! Don’t expect anything new, enjoy the songs and drool over Deepika. Go ahead, make a good weekend.