Tara vs Bilal Review: Bollywood has used the idea of “opposites attract” many times, and Tara vs Bilal is no exception. But it is still a sweet and simple love story that makes for a light and breezy watch. The casting of the film is perfect. Therefore, the lead pair holds the forte with their natural chemistry whenever things in the movie falter. However, this 122-minute drama nails the most important aspect of a romantic drama right: the heart-warming love story.
The film begins in London when Tara arrives for her honeymoon only to find out that her husband Karan (Sardmad Varraich) has abandoned her and taken all of her jewellery and money. Bilal, the owner of the hotel where Tara and her husband had stayed, discovers that she is broke and throws her out. She then struggles for her own survival. But, fate has other plans for them, as Bilal’s family (a house full of women) puts pressure on him to marry despite his desire to stay single. As a result, he devises a plan to stage his marriage to Tara, and the rest of the story follows.
Directed by Samar Iqbal, who has previously helmed Vidya Balan’s starrer Bobby Jasoos, it is a simple romantic tale that will make you laugh and cry at the same time. The right dose of humour is incorporated into various scenes throughout the movie, making it entertaining to watch. The story and screenplay by Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh are quite fast-paced; the first half takes time to develop well-drawn characters on screen and focuses on their backstories, while the latter half is entirely dependent on the lead pair’s chemistry and how they overcome their inner demons. A scene just before the intermission will shock you, leaving you wondering, “What just happened?” However, thanks to these interesting plot twists, the story keeps you engrossed throughout.
Produced by John Abraham and T-Series, the film is shot in some of London’s most beautiful locations and has above-average production values. The writing, on the other hand, is far too simplistic, making this layered narrative a predictable fare. Manan Bhardwaj’s song ‘Teri Ho Gayi‘ adds gravitas to their romance.
Harshavardhan Rane portrays his character with charm. His emotional scenes, in which his voice occasionally chokes, will undoubtedly tug at your heartstrings. Sonia Rathee matches up with her character’s innocence and vulnerability. Your heart genuinely goes out to Rathee and Rane’s emotionally charged past stories. Raheem Mir, who plays the queer Ritz, has some snappy one-liners, and his Lal Dupatta sequence is simply hilarious. Even his romance with Jigz, played by Pranay Manchanda, is endearing. The rest of the women gang played by Mona Ambegaonkar, Shagufta Ali, Deepika Amin and Niki Walia did justice to their respective roles.
Tara vs Bilal is barely a compelling romantic drama, but it’s definitely a welcome change from the recent spate of remakes.
