How a silent-era homage became one of India's most celebrated romantic comedies
In short: Director Anurag Basu’s 2012 film Barfi! defied industry expectations by blending physical comedy with a non-linear, decades-spanning narrative. Despite casting hurdles and accusations of plagiarism, the film became a massive commercial success, earning critical acclaim for its performances and its refreshing, feel-good portrayal of love across physical and mental disabilities.
Conceived during the production of the director's previous film, Kites, the script for Barfi! was designed to span 30 years to allow the characters' relationships to mature. Set in the 1970s across Darjeeling, Kolkata, and Jalandhar, the film follows Murphy—a deaf-mute man—and his complex connections with two women: Shruti, his first love, and Jhilmil, an autistic heiress. Basu intentionally avoided sign language, instead drawing inspiration from silent film legends like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton to emphasize physical comedy and gesture-based storytelling.
The production faced significant casting challenges. Initially, several actresses were wary of the project, reportedly fearing that Priyanka Chopra’s role as Jhilmil would overshadow their own. Basu, who initially worried that Chopra’s stardom might prevent audiences from seeing the character, held workshops that convinced him she was the right choice. Ileana D'Cruz was eventually cast as the narrator and second female lead, marking her Bollywood debut. The film’s soundtrack, composed by Pritam and influenced by Brazilian Bossa nova, became a key element of its enduring legacy.
Upon its release on 14 September 2012, the film grossed ₹175 crore worldwide against a ₹35 crore budget. It was selected as India’s official entry for the 85th Academy Awards and won seven Filmfare Awards, including Best Film. However, the film was not without controversy. Following its release, social media users and media outlets alleged that the director had plagiarized scenes from various international films, including City Lights and The Notebook, while also accusing the music director of borrowing from the French film Amélie. Additionally, the British manufacturer Murphy Radio issued a legal notice regarding the unauthorized use of its trademark logo, though producers maintained the brand was depicted positively.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Barfi!
- Also: Wikidata — Barfi! · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Barfi! · CC0
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