Four's company

Badmaash company
cast Shahid Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Vir Das, Meiyang Chang, Anupam Kher
director Parmeet Sethi
rating TBA

After their last two releases, Dil Bole Hadippa and Pyaar Impossible, failed to set the box office on fire Yash Raj Films desperately needs a hit to reaffirm their status as India's premiere production house. Their latest outing Badmaash Company will rely on Shahid Kapoor's star power to draw the crowds.

It's set in the 1990s before globalisation impacted India. Karan's (Kapoor) burning ambition to become a millionaire finds him importing luxury goods into India and cashing in on people who thrive on imported stuff. Karan teams with Bulbul (Sharma), Chandu (Das) and Zing (Chang) and starts a business venture. They realise that they can make a quick buck by doing all the wrong things… the right way. The four go on a wild roller-coaster ride into the world of glitz and glamour, only to find themselves torn apart when money begins to play spoilsport.

Looks like Badmaash Company is on similar lines as Yash Raj Films' previous caper flick Bunty Aur Babli, but Kapoor rubbishes the comparisons: "Both the films are as different as chalk and cheese". Badmaash Company is Sharma's first release after her debut Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, in which she charmingly played a small-town girl. This time around, Sharma plays a similar character but only it's bolder. As Bulbul, she is exposed to the sleazy side of the modelling world. "I've got rave reviews for my performance in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, but I don't want to be stereotyped. I've got to be open to new challenges and experiment with varied roles," says Sharma.

Badmaash Company sees the debut of Chang, a popular finalist in Indian Idol 3. Chang's got a tailor-made role as he plays a young boy from Sikkim who dreams of making it big in Mumbai, almost replicating his real-life situation. It is rare to see someone from north-east India play a lead role in a Bollywood flick. So far the only famous Bollywood star from this region has been Danny Denzongpa.

Das, who earlier had a cameo role in Love Aaj Kal, has a terrific opportunity to showcase his talent in a major role as Chandu.

Besides the fresh and young cast, Sethi, best known for his supporting character in Diwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, makes his directorial debut. Sethi has been dabbling in acting, scripting and producing TV shows. It's believed that he wrote the Badmaash Company script in less than a week and Yash Raj Films' executives were so impressed by his skills that they signed him for a three-film deal.

Badmaash Company also has peppy music by Pritam that has been lapped up by the youth. With an interesting script, fresh cast and youthful appeal, the film may turn into a successful ‘company'.