How many movies had that charm in them to break a pleasant smile on your face even before the storyline starts? Well, Barfi! is one such movie. Cinema is an infinite medium. It's mad, beautiful, genuine, frivolous, profound, twisted, abstract, moody, mysterious, vibrant, aggressive, contradictory, hilarious, unabashed, digressive, poetic and melodious -- a wide-screen reflection, extension or exaggeration of everything we are, could be or conceal. Play by its rules and the silver screen will dazzle you in ways only dreams can. Barfi! does just that with its magical narrative and classic performances. Barfi! unfolds as a rollicking ride, and it’s only when we pause to reflect on what we’ve just seen that we realise what a sad little story this is, and yet, how we haven’t been held at gunpoint and asked to shed bucketfuls of tears.

The story is all about Murphy who is often called Barfi and his bitter-sweet relationship with the two beautiful young woman, Shruti and Jhilmil. It sets in motion a chain of events that will turn his life upside down.The hearing and speech-impaired Barfi, is a darling, his disability never overshadowing the way he cares, loves and lives in general. Pinched bottoms, comical chases, revolving doors, emotional outbursts, fairly dangerous tests of friendship, overall mirth are all part of his everyday life, vibrant personality. And Ranbir brings him alive with touches that you can't think who else could give to such an intense character. For a story riddled with disabilities, Barfi is more than ably handled by Anurag Basu. He remarkably immerses you in his world of sounds and verbose silences, recreating Chaplin's antics, stripping two superstars down to basics and sensitively spinning a magical world of unconditional love. The narrative is too non-linear at times, and the pace slows in the second half.

That apart, it's truly path-breaking for Bollywood. Commendable is the character Shruthi played by Ileana - so beautiful, so confused but always conscientious. Even though she's telling us this story, the lady doesn't take any liberties to project herself with additional sympathy through her shift from a happy-go-lucky girl to a discontented married woman. Although she admits her folly and mentions her regret, I can't help feeling she's holding back a few details. After all, 'a woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets', remember? To me, this makes Shruti even more appealing and enigmatic. For Priyanka as Jhilmil, there's only one word – Excellent. In a role where she needs to under-emote, she does so brilliantly. Without stylish chiffons, she wears awkward frocks, buckle-shoes and buck teeth, discarding the diva image like an old hand-me-down for lesser actresses; delivering an incredible performance

Dissecting a film that left you speechless is difficult. Just let go, indulge in the magic of Barfi!