Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala (Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment)
Director: Sajid Khan
Starring: Ritesh Deshmukh, Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Fardeen Khan, and Boman Irani
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Lyrics: Sameer and Anvita Dutt Gupta
Genre: Comedy
Recommended Audience: Parental Guidance
Film Released on: 24 August 2007
Reviewed by: Akshay Shah
Reviewer's Rating: 7.5 / 10
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Public Rating Average: 7.5 / 10 (rated by 1 viewers)
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Comedies are certainly in vogue these days, and specially one starring Akshay Kumar gains instant curiosity attached to it given his earnt reputation as the new “Comedy King”, but HEYY BABYY had other factors going for it too, including a multi-cast, hit music, fabulous promos and a unique concept. So does the movie live up to expectations? YES, though the movie does come with its fair share of flaws.

The movie looked like a copy of the Hollywood Hit THREE MEN AND A BABY (1987), however surprisingly writers Sajid Khan and Milap Zaveri have incorporated enough of their own ingredients of comedy, romance, emotions and drama for this to stand out as its own film. The movie revolves around three bachelors Arush(Akshay Kumar), Tanmay(Ritiesh Deshmukh) and Ali (Fardeen Khan) who’re living in Sydney having the time of their lives playing the fields and partying it up. However life takes a turn when a little baby girl gets left on their doorstep. Despite knowing a thing or two about women, this little girl is one they can’t control. The baby changes their lives completely as their entire lives start revolving around it with it’s 2 hour feeding times, crying, and offcourse diaper changing. Soon the bachelors start feeling like dads, and they can’t stand away from the little wonder, and at that moment the girls mother Esha (Vidya Balan) enters claiming her baby back.

In a series of events the trio are now caught in a bungled mess to win back the baby…and its mother! Who gets the baby in the end? That I won’t reveal for you though it’s pretty predictable from the start.

The entire first half feels like an American teen comedy as the bachelors go around trying to find the mother of the baby. The graph takes a turn at interval point when the baby’s mother arrives, and the movie does slacken in pace a little bit. Akshay Kumar’s flashback sequence is well written. The second half then turns in to a NO ENTRY type craze-fest as the three men try and win their baby back. And this again provides plenty of room for humour, though it doesn’t live up to the energy of the first half. The entire “contract” angle felt like something out of an old-school Jeetrendra-Reena Roy tear-jerker. The momentum does pick up with the MAST KALANDAR song, but from there till the end the movie is guessable. So what does work in the movie? It’s execution!

Sajid Khan who is known for his comic abilities (he directed a strangely funny episode in RGV’s DARNA ZAROORI HAI) makes puts his comic ability to the forth here, and the results are dead-on. There is toilet humour, sex jokes, witty dialogues(Milap Saveri is back in MASTI mode with some rude & crude one-liners), and slapstick Right from the word go, Sajid Khan sets the scenes for what’s to follow in the second half. The baby arrives quiet early on, allowing enough time for Sajid to set the stage for a “baby antics” comedy show. The nappy going on Akshay Kumar’s face was crude, yet had the audiences in uproars. The chemistry between Akshay, Ritiesh and Fardeen was fantastic which helped the proceedings superbly. The second half does fall a little flat in comparison to the first, though there is enough there again to keep the viewers engaged. The momentum does pick up when the three men try and win back Angel and Esha as the combination of emotions and drama is bang-on, the finale is a little short of expectations as it’s totally clichéd.

That Sajid Khan has a fine knack for comedy cannot be debated as he manages some supremely funny situations in the first half and second which evoked immense reactions from the audiences, but it’s the rather formulaic story-telling device that stands out. This is not as zany as say a JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM or a JAAN-E-MANN and at times ranges from a old-school David Dhawan(not the revamped-since-MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI DD++) comedy to Indra Kumar’s MASTI. Having the baby as the central part of the comic proceedings was a touch of brilliance, and Sajid manages to successfully use the baby to hit the right notes by immaculately capturing the reactions based on the situation. And yes, he does use the baby for over-sentiments and sympathies which had the aunties weeping. The inclusion of a “hit” number in the middle of the second half shows that Sajid Khan is well aware of Bollywood formula as the song manages to definitely elevate the proceedings. And ultimately, he gets his casting bang-on.

Akshay Kumar again plays the “playboy” image here after GARAM MASALA, but unlike GARAM MASALA, the role offers him to play the full yard from comedy, romance to the drama. Despite being a multi-starrer of sorts, Akshay is undoubtedly the “leading man”, though surprisingly he doesn’t take over the proceedings allowing enough footage for Ritiesh and Fardeen to leave a mark as well unlike say BHAAGAM BHAG where Akshay dominates the proceedings.

JAAN-E-MANN is hardly a performance I would consider a “regular Akshay Kumar performance”, NAMASTEY LONDON was again more a romance/drama with a dash of patriotism than a comedy, and HEYY BABBYY is again a mix of everything as the role gives Akshay ample scope to perform in romance and drama as well. And thankfully, unlike JAAN-E-MANN, he hits all the right notes in the emotional scenes this time, as well as being “bang-on-the-money-funny” in his comic scenes. Ritiesh Deshmukh and Fardeen Khan both get ample scope to rise-to-the-occasion as well and both deliver commendable performances. Ritiesh Deshmukh with his Marathi cursing Eddy Teddy is again a superb performance from Ritiesh Deshmukh who makes his job look easy. The actor has excellent timing and his facial reactions dead-on. Fardeen Khan is again proves that he is comfortable in a comedy after NO ENTRY. His delivery, confidence and expressions have all improved, and his Parimal Tripathi homage was pulled off with panache. This “trimurti” hit the right notes.

Vidya Balan is likeable as always, and hits all the right notes with her performance. She doesn’t get a chance to do any comedy herself, but leaves her mark in the emotional sequences. One just wishes that she’d choose her western clothes more careful as she does look seriously over-weight in some of those dresses, maybe that was meant to be the affect given she’d had a baby, though I highly doubt it. On the other hand, she looks absolutely stunning in Indian attire be it the flashback sequences with the wedding or the MAST KALANDAR song with the black and red sari.

The other “actress” in the movie steals the show in many places, yes folks, a mention of HEYY BABBYY cannot go without the baby;) and Subhaan Nadiadwala is simply too cute as the two-toothed devil to angel. I was surprised to find not just Indian audiences there tonight, but quiet a few Pacific Island and European people in the audiences too who were all enjoying the movie in full go, and they too were enjoying it immensely.

Boman Irani is in form, and though his character is serious to start with, he slowly lets his eccentric quirks take over and makes his presence felt too. I guess the temptation of casting Boman Irani in a film and not letting him be funny is just too hard to resist!

Shahrukh Khan makes a special appearance as Raj. Though before the movie’s release, the sequences between Shahrukh Khan and Anupam Kher were much hyped, Shahrukh Khan does not feature in a prominent role at all. He has no dialogues, and is only a part of the dance for a minute. But that’s not take away anything from the song MAST KALANDAR which is definitely one of the films “highpoints” as far as evoking a reaction from the audience goes, as the entire auditorium erupted in to claps and whistles when Shahrukh Khan joins Akshay Kumar on the dance floor for some extremely catchy dance moves courtesy of the ever shining Vaibhavi Merchant, Geeta Kapoor and offcourse Farah Khan. Anupam Kher does his over-hyped comedy act to perfection and comes across as fresh, but forced. Watching Boman and Anupam together is a lot of fun as always.

The movie also features Koena Mitra, Dia Mirza, Amisha Patel, Neha Dhupia, Mallika Arora, Amrita Arora, Amrita Rao, Tara Sharma, Minissha Lambha, Riya Sen, Sophie Chaudhury, Aarti Chhabbria, Hrishitaa Bhatt, Payal Rohatgi, and Kim Sharma in small guest roles, most of which is part of a lavishly and raunchily picturised title track which plays at the start and features the girls looking sizzling HOT!

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music is up to the mark, and the apart from MAST KALANDAR and the title track, the other numbers too come at the right times and work well within the context of the movie. Be it DHOLNA, JAANE BHI DE, or MERI DUNIYA TU HI RE, the songs are melodious to the core.

Technically the movie is a polished product. Himann Dhamija captures the stunning locales of Sydney with aplomb. The movie has a slick look through-out and the songs have been captured with a striking eye.

All up HEYY BABYY is definetly NOT a “great” movie, it has its fair share of flaws throughout, and Sajid Khan’s direction is raw in places, however the movie has enough of what it promised and the end result is definitely paisa-vasool.

** GO rana go!

By Taran Adarsh, August 24, 2007 - 12:25 IST

When one sits on the fence and analyzes movies, passing scathing and acidic comments on all and sundry, be it films or those associated with it, the same people you'd targeted are bound to examine your film with a magnifying glass, when they get an opportunity.

Sajid Khan is known for his funny-n-witty repartees and in his first major project HEYY BABYY, he not only merges funny situations and emotional moments with aplomb, but also makes a compelling, wholesome film.

HEYY BABYY is not completely THREE MEN AND A BABY. Sure, you draw parallels since both THREE MEN AND A BABY and HEYY BABYY revolve around a trio of confirmed bachelors who unexpectedly discover the joys of fatherhood when a baby is left at their doorstep, but the similarities end there. In fact, the promos in this case don't open the cards completely. There's more to this film than masti-mazaak and the three men chasing girls of all shapes and sizes.

Write your own movie review of Heyy Babyy
HEYY BABYY also works because the script is believable and the journey from Scene A to Z is well structured. Of course, there're minor aberrations, but the finale packs in a solid punch.

Sajid Khan is a skilled storyteller. Although he's known for impromptu, funny one-liners, it's the handling of the emotional moments in the enterprise that catches you by complete surprise. Note another aspect where a director makes all the difference: Akshay, Fardeen and Ritesh have been a part of comic capers in the past, but after having watched this trio in HEYY BABYY, not once do you feel that they're repeating themselves.

HEYY BABYY promises entertainment unlimited and delivers it with aplomb. Do carry your kerchief along. It makes you laugh, it makes you moist-eyed. This Babyy rocks!

Three bachelors -- Aroush [Akshay Kumar], Tanmay [Ritesh Deshmukh] and Ali [Fardeen Khan] -- are having the time of their lives in Sydney. They flirt around, sleep around and have numerous 'gorgeous' conquests to their credit.

They suddenly find their dating and mating rituals irreparably destroyed when a dimpled little roommate lands up on their doorstep. Aroush, Tanmay and Ali know a thing or two about women, but when it comes to babies, they're total zeroes and this bouncing bundle of joy is anything but joyous. But then Angel works her charm and before long, the three lecherous bachelors have been transformed into loving, caring fathers.

But beautiful Esha [Vidya Balan] will have none of it. She has known heart break once and will do anything to avenge that betrayal. And if it means breaking the hearts of three men who've finally discovered they possess one, then too bad!

Sajid Khan wastes no time and comes to the point [the bachelors finding an abandoned baby at their doorstep] at the very start, immediately after their frivolous attitude is exposed in the title track. The sequences with the baby are entertaining, but it's the turning point -- when the baby gets critically ill and the guys realize their folly -- that's a master stroke from the writing and execution point of view. The viewer is in for another surprise at the interval point. It takes the story to another high altogether.

The second half starts off well, but loses its shine partly as Fardeen and Ritesh go to lengths to get the baby back. The sequence in the car [Fardeen] is hilarious, but not the entire track. The sequences in Wonderland and also when Akshay and Ritesh disguise themselves as Arabs in a restaurant fall flat. Fortunately, HEYY BABYY picks up in the penultimate reels again. The last few minutes make you forget the deficiencies as it races towards a fulfilling finale.

The writing [screenplay: Sajid Khan, Milap Zaveri] hits a high note in the first hour, but should've been as cohesive in the second hour as well. Yet, there are moments in this hour that you carry home. Dialogues [Milap Zaveri] are simple; they don't get flowery at any point. Cinematography [Himman Dhamija] is of superior quality. The stunning locales of Sydney look equally striking on screen.

Musically [Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy], it's a hit score. A mix of peppy and melodious numbers, the ones that stand out are the title track [with an array of actresses making fleeting appearances] and 'Mast Kalandar' [SRK rocks].

Akshay is in terrific form. This role offers him ample scope to go beyond the comic roles he specializes in. Sure, he makes you laugh, but he also makes you moist-eyed when he pines for his baby. One performance that should find a prominent place in his impressive repertoire.

Fardeen springs a surprise. He hasn't worked in as many comic capers, but handles his part confidently. Ritesh is dependable yet again. The youngster is so comfortable in light roles that even if he sleepwalks, he'd make you giggle. His usage of Marathi in a kiddie party will be greeted with cheers.

Vidya Balan is superb. Not only does she look bewitching, but also enacts her part with amazing ease. A highly competent actress, she's got all it takes to reach the top slot. Boman Irani doesn't get much footage, but makes his presence felt in the introductory sequence mainly. The baby is simply adorable.

On the whole, HEYY BABYY is an entertainer that has something for everyone. At the box-office, it has the potential to rock big time. The fantastic opening of the film has only proved sone pe suhaaga… Grab a ticket today!


4/5

A really annoying Babyy

Raja Sen | August 24, 2007 17:08 IST












Sajid Khan was a groundbreaking anchor.

His television show Ikke Pe Ikka waxed sarcastic about Bollywood's blues, ripping films apart ruthlessly as Sajid, a mimic as funny as any, lapsed into inspired absurdity as toupee-twirling jokester Kishan Jhuthani, who called jokes 'chatoklas.'

Viewers of the show would also remember Sajid looking back at overacted scenes, setting up meters to gauge the level of hamming in a particular performance, the exact number of times a wounded Manoj Kumar said 'nahiiin' with heightened melodrama.

Today, Sajid's first film is out. And as can be expected, he reins in his actors well, Akshay Kumar [Images] and the gang not overdoing their lines or killing the farce. Great. Unfortunately, Sajid, too busy keeping an eye on his actors, falls into the trap himself:

The director hams.

And so it is that we're taken through a contrived, pained plot about three bachelors and an infant. The question is obvious: Is this a remake of Three Men And A Baby?

Nope, but -- and this is indeed a rare statement -- I wish it were.

A still from Heyy BabyyI sincerely wish Khan had shamelessly lifted the story and scenes from the 1987 film, replacing Ted Danson with Akshay. Even the casting works. And for all the talk of plagiarism, we'd have had some decent, albeit 20-year-old, laughs.

Unfortunately, the director opts here for originality, and forces us to sit through an unending film (there are at least five distinct full-length plots thrown into the mix) with nothing but poor slapstick, marred further by major doses of melodrama. Ouch.

Which is why we have scenes of three men doing their best Tony Montana impressions with baby powder instead of cocaine, and just a few shots away we have Fardeen Khan [Images] driven to a desperate namaaz at a hospital -- right next to a Christmas tree, mind you. Holy schmaltzy Kuch Kuch Hota Hai's ghost.

The actors do okay, but are trapped by the script and Khan's surprisingly, disappointingly, heavy-handed handling of emotion. Akshay Kumar inevitably manages to salvage some laughs, channelling his Garam Masala [Images] and Jaan-E-Mann characters. Fardeen's not too bad, clearly at ease playing the brat in male-bonding comedies. Riteish Deshmukh [Images] is reliably credible, but it's the kind of role he needs to stear clear of now. Vidya Balan [Images] looks pretty, but all she does in the film is get lied to -- perhaps an indication of how she signed on after reading this script.

A still from Heyy BabyySure there are a few laughs. Khan comes up with a great idea to introduce the Shah Rukh Khan [Images] cameo, something all audiences will lap up. Akshay creates some fantastic moments, as does the impeccable Boman Irani. But the problem is that Sajid doesn't seem to know when to end the joke, stretching the tired slapstick to unbearable proportions.

Sajid, dude, make a Borat-style film with Kishan Jhuthani. Or try horror shorts like in Darna Zaroori Hai [Images]. This moronic film is less than you're capable of. Far less.

Rediff Rating:1.5/5


Want to see this movie? Check out Rediff Movie Tickets!

Who else feels India's concept of "family cinema" has been bastardized?

Heyy Babyy's track with the bevy of semi-clad beauties is great for any guy in a horny mood.

But there's no way in hell I'd let my little kids (male or female) watch it as a sign of acceptable adult behaviour. And my wife would slaughter me if she saw me leering at the cinema screen while the track is on. So how's a guy to enjoy it??

I really need to stop going to the cinema to watch whatever's on when I'm bored. Caught this film today, and it's one of the biggest piles of turd I've seen in a long time (although I'm sure I've said that about another film recently!!!). Heyy Babyy is being advertised as a comedy, but it has only a couple of slightly amusing scenes. The rest of the film is overly melodramatic, and like the Rediff review said, quite annoying. Akshay Kumar is loud, Fardeen Khan can't act, Ritesh is ok, Vidya is wasted, and as for the song with 15 different actresses, well, Sajid Khan clearly went to Tarts R Us and picked up whatever he could from the bargain clearance section.

Everyone's comparing this with Three Men and a Baby, the director claims it isn't a rip off (but it does have three men. And a baby). I'm surprised no-one has noticed that this film bears a striking resemblance to part of the storyline from Jaanemann.

Anyway, overall opinion - waste of time. Some of the songs are alright though.

I totally agree with you. How else can you consider most of David Dhawan's rap as cinema for the family. Indians really seem to have their priorities all screwed up and this applies to cinema as much as it does to all other spheres of life. Parents will call a DVD library for a 'children's film' but if you suggest any animated feature they immediately go, "nah,not a cartoon film yaar, suggest some action movie". They don't care even if the movie is rated 'R' but they generally don't want films that are rated 'G' and even 'PG13'. I remember watching 'Kya Kool Hai Hum' and thinking that it is probably one of the crudest and most vulgar films that I have ever seen. Honestly, I was almost embarassed to see the film with my wife and there is no way on earth that I could ever watch it with my sisters or parents. The very next day I was walking by the exit of a cinema in Delhi showing the film. The show had just ended and I was shocked to see the crowd that came out of the film. There were whole families, and I mean small children, their parents and their grand parents, walking out as if 'Kya Kool Hai Hum' was the family film of the year. There were fathers with their teenage daughters, mothers with their teenage sons, seriously one would have thought that the crowd must be from a movie like 'Hum Aap Ke Hain Kaun'. The only thing that Indians have an aversion to is 'nudity' I think. Rest all is fine for family viewing.

I agree!! When you are subject to films like cash, partner, hey baby, kank, jbj, in name of family cinema, with no rating whatsoever, we are big time screwed up.

My hindi film viewing is minimal, just because of this devastating trend!

Let me give you an example: I was at video store, where a family, husband/wife/grandma trying to rent film MASTI on dvd! I could not restrain myself, uttering, that this film is not worth viewing in front of bi ji or kids!

I was answered that Bi Ji will be ok, viewing by herself lol! and kids don't watch hindi films.
I just zipped my lips! just offering apologies for my opinion.

Well, still in hollywood, you can watch Ratatoulli etc, if you want, but in Hindi films, there is no alternate option It is 95% soft porn now and families are becoming use to it
as natural progression. and for desi families/kids, I dont think, PG is available either!

I've got to agree............last 'proper' family film I remember was Vivah....

Zoran bhai, I thought Mast was ok.........or did you mean Masti?

MASTI my bad! of course! Mast was not vulgar, like the other things from old varma days

well as far as Heyy Babyy is concerned, the movie was good coming from someon like sajid khan. I was expecting some double meaning jokes eg: when akshay was buying the baby food & then questions he was asking the lady in the store. so there was no suprise, unless ofcourse you don't know sajid khan or never knew anything about his sense of humour.

calling it a family film would be wrong but like the title of this topic the movie is paisa vasool. take your wife/partner/friends & go watch it!

Definitely not intended as a family film. Accepting that, jokes/ situations are acceptable.
OK for one watch. Or, OK to give it a miss. May be, hard core Bollywood fans may want to watch it more than once to notice tons of special appearance stars, if they can.

But what's the point, children situations to attract children audience when the film is not meant for children.
CASH sure will be a children movie in comparison.
-----------------------------------
Saw a DD logo in end creditts. No DTS.

HEYY BABYY is a super-success in the three international markets -- U.K., U.S.A. and Australia. Let's talk figures…

http://indiafm.com/trade/overseas_boxoffice/index.html

One of the best comedies of the year Roflol from start to finish.
My folks thought it has the wacky comedy style of Benny Hill tv series. Was a bit bizarre to see all those gori girls making out with indian guys, like all goris are tramps ? - rarely see gori girls with indian guys anywaz. They had hoards of gori girls chasing after them.
^^^^^^^^
there are far too many copy n paste posted reviews on same movie in thread it's annoying. in other Aag thread why post long list of other movies box office ratings that have nothing to do with AAG!

There is better place to suggest changes to forum, and address mods attention imho!

Any how!~May I suggest if possible? ali bhaii, can sub divide this forum sections into two.

One with critic's review for cutters and pasters and other, viewer's reviews for serious,budhi man personal reviewers who would watch and like to give their own spin