In their forthcoming film, 'Barfi', actors Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra play deaf and mute and autistic characters respectively, but they insist that the film is not about disability
The romantic comedy directed by Anurag Basu, revolves around a boy named Murphy (Ranbir), whom everyone calls Barfi. Always ready with a prank up his sleeve, he is quite the charmer even though he can neither speak nor listen.
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While Jhilmil (Priyanka) plays an autistic character in the film. The film also stars Tollywood actress Ileana D'Cruz. "I would say that one should not associate this film with disability... This film is not about disability. It is a coincidence that these two characters are deaf, mute and one is autistic. But one will not feel that it is a disability film. Its about enjoying life, giving happiness, feeling love. Its a love story," Ranbir told reporters here last night at the first look of the film.
"If you see Ileana's character you will see eternal romance, if you see the love story between Priyanka and my character, its heartwarming. You will not feel that the film is about disability film or mentally challenged kind of film. It's not that," he said.
On similar lines, Priyanka said, "When we meet differently-abled people, or people who are special, we have a view point that they have a dark, sorrowful life we feel bad for them, it is not a film about that. There are people who smile, laugh, fall in love, enjoy.. It's that side of their life. So it is not about disability."
"I don't think after a point of time you will remember that these two characters have disabilities. The world created between these three characters (Ranbir, Priyanka and Illena) is just something we haven't seen before. Ranbir's character is adorable and sweet in the film," she added. Talking about his character, Ranbir, 29, says, "The film is set in 70s.. It's a romantic-comedy. The name of the character is Barfi, he is deaf and mute. He is happy go lucky person. He has a big heart and his only purpose in life is to make people happy. Even in his sorrows, you will see a sense of comedy and happiness. His motive is to make people happy."
Ranbir described the character of Priyanka in the film as a cute puppy dog. "We are normal characters... Priyanka is an autistic girl but she is like a puppy dog, who you would fall in love with. A beautiful puppy dog... A cute puppy," he said. Ileana, who makes her debut in Bollywood, heaps praises for the director and her co-stars.
"Its been surreal. Its been amazing. Amidst all the chaos and tons of hard work, it was emotional and loads of fun. Anurag is one of the best directors I have worked with. He got one of the most honest performances of me,"Ileana said. "I want to thank everyone associated with the film. Priyanka and Ranbir have been terrific co-stars. Its been lovely working with them," she said.
Asked about the kissing scene between her and Ranbir in the film, Ileana says, "It was not the kiss that I was nervous about... It's the emotion behind the kiss, which was the key element in the scene that I was nervous about. The kiss came out pretty well."
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