Heyy Babyy - Movie Review

Published: August 10, 2010

By EKTA R. GARG

Starring Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Fardeen Khan, Ritesh Deshmukh, Boman Irani, Anupam Kher

A remake of the 1987 American film Three Men and a Baby (which is itself a remake of a French film), Heyy Babyy stars Akshay Kumar, Fardeen Khan, and Ritesh Deshmukh as three swinging bachelors living in Australia. Arush (Kumar), Al (Khan), and Tanmay (Deshmukh) are roommates who share a love of scoring with as many women as possible. They enjoy their lives and don’t have a care in the world. 

   

And then one day all that changes. Someone leaves a basket with a baby in it on their doorstep along with a note that includes a few insulting words and a command to “take care of your daughter.” The scenes following are typical movie fare—the three men initially are resistant to this responsibility thrust upon them, but eventually they warm up to the child and fall into a routine of taking care of her. All the while speculation abounds about who fathered the baby; all three have slept with so many girls in the last year, they can’t track down all of them despite efforts to do so. Eventually they decide to keep Angel (their name for the baby) and commit to raising her when the familiar Bollywood twist changes all their plans. Suddenly, one of the three men is faced with the reality and consequences of his actions.

   

Heyy Babyy is Bollywood masala at its best or worst, depending on your perspective. While the film contains some laugh-out-loud moments, the film overall is an exercise in patience. Arush, Al, and Tanmay go through some predictable predicaments when first faced with Angel—how to change her diaper and what to feed her. And after one dramatic situation, they form an instant bond with her.

When conflict arises and threatens to separate them from Angel, the roommates go to great lengths to prevent that from happening. Their efforts become old and make for tired viewing after the first time. Eventually, first-time director Sajid Khan (brother to hit director and choreographer Farah Khan) brings his story to its typical Bollywood end, but that end doesn’t come soon enough for the audience.

The realization by men that having one-night stands and treating women like objects can have serious repercussions receives much better treatment in the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008). For a great movie about guys growing up, watch that instead.

Heyy Babyy is rated Skip.

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