Bala

Plot

The film opens in Kanpur in 2005, where 14-year-old Balmukund "Bala" Shukla, proud of his hair, leads his classmates in teasing a bald teacher. He borrows notes from the studious, dark-complexioned Latika Trivedi and passes them off as his own to impress the fair-skinned Shruti. When Latika exposes him, Bala insults her complexion. The narrator notes society's preference for beauty and fair skin, particularly in marriage.

Fourteen years later, Bala is balding prematurely and works as a fairness-cream salesman by day and a nightclub comedian by night. Blaming his baldness on his father's genes, he lashes out at his bald father Hari, a ghar jamai. Hari gives him a wig and reminds him that baldness is only external. With renewed confidence, Bala begins courting Pari Mishra, a fair-skinned model, and they decide to marry. Before the wedding, Bala texts Pari to disclose his baldness, but the message accidentally reaches someone else. Believing Pari knows and accepts the truth, he marries her.

Latika meanwhile faces repeated rejection from prospective suitors because of her dark skin. An Australia-settled NRI, Rohan, is attracted to her, but their meeting collapses when his mother comments on her complexion. Rohan later reconciles with Latika, revealing that he was initially attracted to her Instagram profile. Latika says she has no Instagram account, exposing that Bala had created a fake profile using airbrushed photographs of her at his aunt's request.

Furious, Latika confronts Bala the day after his wedding, insisting that she is not ashamed of her skin and warning him to stay out of her life. Pari overhears, discovers Bala's baldness and leaves him. She explains that her looks are both her main source of attention and her livelihood, as she lacks the academic ability to pursue another profession. She subsequently seeks to annul their marriage.

Feeling responsible, Latika apologises and becomes Bala's lawyer. During the court case, she establishes that Pari married Bala for his wit and charm and that he neither defrauded nor deliberately misled her, although he concealed his baldness. Pari argues that someone uncomfortable with himself cannot sustain a relationship. Bala ultimately agrees that Pari has the right to end the marriage, explaining that the law cannot compel love and that a half-hearted marriage cannot succeed.

Production

Casting

The cast of the film was announced by producer Dinesh Vijan. The film, directed by Amar Kaushik, was publicized to star Ayushmann Khurrana in the titular role, Yami Gautam as a model based in Lucknow and Bhumi Pednekar as a dusky small-town educated woman.

Filming

Principal photography began on 6 May 2019, and the film was shot in Mumbai, Lucknow, and Kanpur. Filming concluded on 7 July 2019, with a special party for the wrap-up.

Soundtrack

The music and background score is composed by Sachin–Jigar, with guest composers Jaani and B Praak composing the song "Naah Goriye" which is a recreated version of the song "Naah" by the same artists released in 2017 while lyrics have been written by Mellow D, Jaani, Badshah, Priya Saraiya, Jigar Saraiya and Bhargav Purohit, a debutante. Vocals were provided by Saraiya, Badshah, Shalmali Kholgade, Gurdeep Mehndi, Divya Kumar, Asees Kaur, Jubin Nautiyal, Papon, Harrdy Sandhu and Swasti Mehul, thus marking the second instance after Dum Laga Ke Haisha to not have Ayushmann Khurrana sing for any of his films.

The song "Don't Be Shy Again" is from an original track of the same title from the album 'Rouge' by Rouge, composed by Dr Zeus and written by Lola Olafis. This is the second time the song is being recreated after 2015's film Alone which was titled 'Touch My Body', sung by Aditi Singh Sharma and picturised on Bipasha Basu.

Marketing and release

The theme poster of Bala was released on 27 May giving a release date.

With the release of the theatrical poster the release date was changed, the film was released in preview shows on 7 November 2019 and theatrically released in India on 8 November 2019.

Controversies

After the trailer of the film was released, it was accused of copyright violation by the makers of Ujda Chaman, which also has a storyline similar to Bala. Ujda Chaman is an official remake of Kannada film Ondu Motteya Kathe.

On the release of its first song "Don't Be Shy", music composer-singer Dr Zeus claimed that the makers have used his track without giving due credit and acquiring any sort of rights.

Reception

Critical response

Bala received generally positive reviews from critics with praise for the performances, writing, direction and the social message.

Bollywood Hungama gave 3.5 out of 5 and said, "Bala not only entertains thoroughly but also delivers a very important message that will surely be lapped up by the audiences." Ronak Kotecha of The Times of India rated the movie 4 stars on five and wrote, "'Bala' remains a light-hearted comedy with situations that are relatable. Just like the film's message, 'Bala' is beautiful even with its flaws, and never fails to entertain." Monika Rawal Kukreja of Hindustan Times reviewed, "Bala is a well-made film that stays true to its genre for most of the time. It makes right jokes at the time and leaves you in stitches more often that you’d expect."

Anna M. M. Vetticad of Firstpost praised the use of Kanpuriya Hindi in the film but was critical of its messaging, writing, “No one on Team Bala seems to have detected the irony in casting a light-skinned actor as Latika and painting her face black, rather than casting a black woman to play a black woman.” Kennith Rosario of The Hindu said, "A hollow film combed over with humour." India Today rated the movie 4 on 5 and said, "King Midas Ayushmann Khurrana delivers another blockbuster." News18 rated the movie 3 on 5 and said, "Bala could have been a crackerjack of a film but allows the novelty of its premise to wear out too easily. Bala, Kanpur’s “edible young man” (sic), certainly gets your attention, but does not manage to sweep you off your feet."

Box office

Bala's opening day domestic collection was ₹10.15 crore. On the second day, the film collected ₹15.73 crore. On the third day, the film collected ₹18.07 crore, taking total opening weekend collection to ₹43.95 million.

As of 9 December 2019, the film grossed ₹139.02 crore in India and ₹32.43 crore overseas for a worldwide gross of ₹171.5 crore.