Abhishek Bachchan
Rakesh Trivedi / Bunty
Overview
Bunty and Babli are two young people who randomly meet each other after running away from their homes to chase their dream. After facing hurdles in their path they decide to take up conning and soon become the best con artists in the country. However, their success is threatened as a relentless cop is on their trail.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Con Artists Who Made Us Believe in Love (and Theft)
I’ve always had a soft spot for the lovable rogue—the kind of character who slips through life with a wink and a lie, leaving chaos and charm in their wake. Bunty Aur Babli (2005) is a film that leans hard into that archetype, and for the most part, it works. Not because it reinvents the wheel, but because it understands something fundamental about Hindi cinema: that the line between crime and romance is often just a matter of perspective. Here, the con is the courtship, and the heist is the honeymoon.
The film follows two small-town dreamers, Bunty (Abhishek Bachchan) and Babli (Rani Mukerji), who flee their stifling lives in search of something bigger—only to discover that the quickest way to get it is by swindling their way across India. Their targets? The greedy, the vain, the corrupt.
Their weapon? A shared knack for deception and an undeniable chemistry that makes you root for them even when you know you shouldn’t. It’s a familiar setup, the kind that could easily slide into cliché.
But Shaad Ali, the director, brings a lightness of touch that keeps the film from feeling like a retread. There’s a playfulness here, a sense that the film is in on the joke even as it asks you to invest in its characters.
What makes Bunty Aur Babli more than just a caper comedy is the way it balances its tone. The film doesn’t shy away from the darker edges of its premise—these are, after all, people who lie and steal for a living—but it never lets the cynicism overwhelm the warmth. That’s largely thanks to the performances.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 6.3/10
"A lively Bollywood crime-comedy with charming leads, but its length and predictable plot test patience."
Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji’s playful chemistry as small-town con artists keeps the film engaging, with their dynamic and humor providing most of the entertainment. latestnetflix.com's take is that however, the nearly three-hour runtime and reliance on well-worn crime-romance tropes leave many wishing for tighter pacing and fresher storytelling.
What viewers praise
- Lead chemistry Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji’s energetic and witty interactions make their characters’ partnership feel authentic and fun.
- Entertaining soundtrack The film’s Bollywood-pop score and musical numbers add vibrancy and energy, enhancing key scenes.
- Stylish direction Shaad Ali’s visual flair and vibrant cinematography give the movie a polished, engaging look.
- Lighthearted tone The comedic and romantic elements balance the crime plot, making it an easy watch for fans of the genre.
Common complaints
- Overlong runtime At 170 minutes, the film drags in places, with pacing issues that make it feel unnecessarily stretched.
- Predictable plot The story follows familiar Bonnie & Clyde tropes, offering few surprises for viewers familiar with the genre.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles, including Amitabh Bachchan’s, lack depth and feel like missed opportunities to enrich the narrative.
Recommended for
Bollywood comedy fans Romantic crime drama lovers Abhishek Bachchan admirers Rani Mukerji enthusiasts Lighthearted musicals seekers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe Con That Charmed Bollywood: Behind the Scenes of Bunty Aur Babli (2005)
When Bunty Aur Babli hit theaters in 2005, it wasn’t just a heist comedy—it was a cultural reset for Bollywood’s portrayal of small-town dreamers. Directed by Shaad Ali, the film followed two ambitious grifters, played by Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji, as they scammed their way across India while dodging a relentless cop (Amitabh Bachchan). But behind the glittering con jobs and chart-topping songs, the making of Bunty Aur Babli had its own share of twists, latestnetflix.com maintains, from casting surprises to a director’s personal connection to the story.
A Director’s Labor of Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldn0rZfu7bw
Shaad Ali, then a relative newcomer, brought a fresh energy to the project. Born in 1970, Ali had cut his teeth in the industry before stepping into the director’s chair with Saathiya (2002), but Bunty Aur Babli was his first foray into the crime-comedy genre 
. In a 2023 interview marking the film’s 20th anniversary, Ali revealed that the story was deeply personal—inspired by the aspirations of young Indians who move to big cities chasing success, only to find themselves tangled in schemes to survive . The film’s mix of humor, romance, and crime wasn’t just entertainment; it was a reflection of the desperation and ingenuity of a generation.
Casting the Cons
The chemistry between Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji was central to the film’s success. Mukerji, already a star after Hum Tum (2004), brought a fiery charm to Babli, while Bachchan—then still carving out his niche—played the lovable but naive Bunty. Their pairing was a gamble, but it paid off: the film’s soundtrack, featuring hits like Kajra Re, became a phenomenon, blending pop and Bollywood flair .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g84-uqPYVw
Amitabh Bachchan’s role as the aging cop DCP Dashrath Singh added gravitas to the caper. His dynamic with the younger leads—especially in scenes where he chases them across India—became one of the film’s highlights. Supporting actors like Pratima Kazmi (as a hilarious con artist in the Humaari Maange Poori Karo scene) and Sanjay Mishra (as a bumbling accomplice) added layers of comedy, making the film’s tone a balancing act between slapstick and heartfelt drama .
Box Office and Legacy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXRMEK1ArgQ
Bunty Aur Babli was a commercial hit, grossing strong numbers worldwide . Its success cemented Shaad Ali’s reputation as a director who could blend genres seamlessly, and it launched Abhishek Bachchan into leading-man territory. The film’s 6.3/10 rating on SensCritique reflects its cult status—beloved for its music, performances, and breezy storytelling, even if some critics found its pacing uneven .
The Unmade Sequel and What Could’ve Been
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B582hXdQLg
Rumors of a sequel swirled for years, but Bunty Aur Babli 2 (2021) took a different turn. Abhishek Bachchan was replaced by Saif Ali Khan, a move that sparked tabloid frenzy. YouTube clips and gossip channels speculated about "shocking reasons" behind the recasting, though no official explanation was ever confirmed . The sequel, directed by Varun V. Sharma, shifted focus to a new generation of con artists, leaving fans to wonder what might’ve been if the original duo had reunited .
Why It Still Matters
Two decades later, Bunty Aur Babli remains a benchmark for Bollywood comedies. Its blend of humor, romance, and crime set a template for films like Phata Poster Nikhla Hero and Happy New Year. For Ali, it was a career-defining project—a story about dreams, deception, and the lengths people go to for a taste of the high life.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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