Ranveer Singh
Ricky Bahl, Vikram Thappar, Sunny Singh, Deven "Dev Shah", Iqbal Khan, Diego Vaz
Overview
A smooth and charming conman, Ricky Bahl, cons girls for a living but finally meets his match is this fun-filled "ROM-CON."
Cast
7 people
Anushka Sharma
Ishika Desai
Parineeti Chopra
Dimple Chaddha
Dippanita Sharma
Raina Parulekar (as Dipannita Sharma Atwal)
Aditi Sharma
Saira Rashid
Reviews
4 min readThe Con Artist’s Smile: How Ladies VS. Ricky Bahl Turns Deception Into a Dance
I’ve always been fascinated by con artists in cinema—not the grim, sociopathic ones, but the ones who make you laugh even as they pick your pocket. Ricky Bahl, the charming grifter at the center of Maneesh Sharma’s Ladies VS. Ricky Bahl, is that kind of thief.
He doesn’t just steal wallets; he steals scenes, hearts, and, for a while, the audience’s trust. The film knows it’s playing a game, and it invites us to play along, even as it slowly reveals the rules.
What makes Ricky Bahl different from, say, the slick operators of Ocean’s Eleven or the tragic fraudsters of The Sting? For one, he’s not after a single, high-stakes score. He’s a serial con artist, moving from city to city, woman to woman, identity to identity.
The film’s structure mirrors his restlessness: Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Lucknow—each location a new stage, each woman a new mark. But here’s the twist: Ricky isn’t just conning his victims; he’s conning us, too. The first act is a masterclass in misdirection, with flashbacks that reveal just enough to keep us hooked, but never enough to see the full picture.
It’s like watching a magician shuffle a deck of cards—you know there’s a trick, but you can’t quite spot it until it’s too late.
The film’s real pleasure, though, isn’t in the cons themselves, but in the way the women turn the tables. Ishika (Anushka Sharma), Dimple (Parineeti Chopra), and Raina (Dippanita Sharma) aren’t just victims; they’re collaborators in their own revenge. The dynamic between them is the film’s secret weapon.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 6.8/10
"A lighthearted romantic comedy with charming leads but a formulaic plot that doesn't stand out."
Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma's playful, engaging chemistry is the highlight. The story leans on familiar rom-com tropes and the supporting characters lack depth, so it falls short on originality and emotional weight.
What viewers praise
- Lead chemistry Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma’s on-screen pairing is widely praised as fun, energetic, and the main reason to watch.
- Entertaining performances The cast, particularly Ranveer Singh, brings charm and humor, making the film enjoyable despite its flaws.
- Lighthearted tone The breezy, feel-good vibe suits anyone after a fun, undemanding watch.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows well-worn rom-com clichés and feels unoriginal.
- Weak supporting cast Supporting characters, including Parineeti Chopra's role, are underdeveloped or forgettable.
- Lacks depth The light approach comes at the cost of emotional and narrative depth.
Recommended for
Romantic comedy fans Ranveer Singh admirers Anushka Sharma fans Lighthearted movie lovers Bollywood comedy enthusiasts
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe Conman and the Conned: Behind the Scenes of Ladies VS. Ricky Bahl
Ladies VS. Ricky Bahl (2011) is a Bollywood rom-com with a twist—think Ocean’s Eleven meets He’s Just Not That Into You, but with a desi flair. Directed by Maneesh Sharma and produced under the Yash Raj Films banner, the movie follows Ricky Bahl (Ranveer Singh), a charming con artist who swindles women for a living—until three of his victims (Anushka Sharma, Parineeti Chopra, and Dipannita Sharma) team up to turn the tables on him. latestnetflix.com's view is that the film blends crime, comedy, and romance, but what went down behind the scenes?
A Star-Studded Debut (For Some)
Ranveer Singh was still a relative newcomer when he signed on to play Ricky Bahl, but his performance as the smooth-talking conman cemented his status as a leading man. For Parineeti Chopra, this was her first major film role—she had initially joined Yash Raj Films as a public relations consultant before being cast in the movie. Anushka Sharma, already a rising star after Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) and Band Baaja Baaraat (2010), was the biggest name in the ensemble, but the film’s success helped solidify Parineeti’s career.
The chemistry between the leads was a major talking point. Ranveer and Anushka’s real-life friendship (they’ve since worked together in multiple films, including Band Baaja Baaraat and Jab Harry Met Sejal) reportedly made their on-screen dynamic effortless. Meanwhile, Parineeti’s character, Dimple Chaddha, was a standout—her feisty, no-nonsense attitude earned her a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
Inspired by Hollywood, But Unapologetically Bollywood
The film’s premise—women teaming up to take down a serial heartbreaker—was loosely inspired by the 2006 American teen comedy John Tucker Must Die. However, Ladies VS. Ricky Bahl gave the concept a distinctly desi makeover, blending con-artist antics with Bollywood’s signature song-and-dance sequences.
The soundtrack, featuring hits like Thug Le (a viral sensation even today), added to the film’s mass appeal. The song, performed by Vishal Dadlani and Shweta Pandit, became an instant party anthem, with its catchy beats and playful lyrics. The music, combined with the film’s colorful visuals and witty dialogue, helped it stand out in a year packed with big releases like Bodyguard and Rockstar.
Box Office and Reception: A Mixed Bag
Despite its star power and high-energy trailer, Ladies VS. Ricky Bahl received mixed reviews. Critics praised Ranveer’s charisma and the film’s lighthearted tone, but some found the plot predictable. Still, it performed decently at the box office, grossing around ₹40 crore (approximately $5.3 million at the time).
One standout aspect was the film’s fashion—Anushka’s chic wardrobe and Parineeti’s quirky style became talking points, with fashion critics calling it a "visual treat". The movie’s aesthetic, from the vibrant song sequences to the stylish con-artist outfits, gave it a fresh, youthful vibe.
The Yash Raj Touch
Produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner, Ladies VS. Ricky Bahl was part of the studio’s strategy to blend romance with unconventional genres. The film’s success helped pave the way for similar YRF projects, like Shuddh Desi Romance (2013), which also starred Parineeti Chopra and Sushant Singh Rajput.
Interestingly, the film’s screenplay was adapted by Devika Bhagat and Habib Faisal, who gave the story a modern, urban edge. The dialogue, particularly Ricky Bahl’s smooth one-liners, became iconic among fans.
Legacy: A Cult Favorite?
While Ladies VS. Ricky Bahl didn’t break box office records, it developed a cult following over the years, thanks to its quotable lines, memorable songs, and Ranveer’s breakout performance. The film’s trailer alone has over 10 million views on YouTube, and Thug Le remains a staple at parties and weddings.
For Parineeti Chopra, the movie was a career-defining moment, proving she could hold her own alongside established stars. And for Ranveer, it was another step toward becoming one of Bollywood’s most bankable actors.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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