Heyy Babyy is not completely a story of "Three Men and a Baby". Since both Three Men and a Baby and Heyy Babyy revolve around a trio of confirmed bachelors who unexpectedly discover the joys of fatherhood when a baby is left at their doorstep, but the similarities end there. In fact, the promos in this case don't open the cards completely. There's more to this film than masti-mazaak and the three men chasing girls of all shapes and sizes.
Three bachelors -- Aroush [Akshay Kumar], Tanmay [Ritesh Deshmukh] and Ali [Fardeen Khan] -- are having the time of their lives in Sydney. They flirt around, sleep around and have numerous 'gorgeous' conquests to their credit. They suddenly find their dating and mating rituals irreparably destroyed when a dimpled little roommate lands up on their doorstep. Aroush, Tanmay and Ali know a thing or two about women, but when it comes to babies, they're total zeroes and this bouncing bundle of joy is anything but joyous. But then Angel works her charm and before long, the three lecherous bachelors have been transformed into loving, caring fathers.
But beautiful Esha [Vidya Balan] will have none of it. She has known heart break once and will do anything to avenge that betrayal. And if it means breaking the hearts of three men who've finally discovered they possess one, then too bad!
Sajid Khan is known for his funny-n-witty repartees and in his first major project Heyy Babyy, not only merges funny situations and emotional moments with aplomb, but also makes a compelling, wholesome film. Sajid Khan is a skilled storyteller. Although he's known for impromptu, funny one-liners, it's the handling of the emotional moments in the enterprise that catches you by complete surprise. Note another aspect where a director makes all the difference: Akshay, Fardeen and Ritesh have been a part of comic capers in the past, but after having watched this trio in Heyy Babyy, not once do you feel that they're repeating themselves.
The sequences with the baby are entertaining, but it's the turning point -- when the baby gets critically ill and the guys realize their folly -- that's a master stroke from the writing and execution point of view. The viewer is in for another surprise at the interval point. It takes the story to another high altogether. The second half starts off well, but loses its shine partly as Fardeen and Ritesh go to lengths to get the baby back. Akshay and Ritesh disguise themselves as Arabs in a restaurant fall flat. The last few minutes make you forget the deficiencies as it races towards a fulfilling finale.
Akshay is in terrific form, he makes you laugh, but he also makes you moist-eyed when he pines for his baby. Fardeen springs a surprise. Ritesh is dependable yet again. His usage of Marathi in a kiddie party will be greeted with cheers. Vidya Balan is superb. Boman Irani doesn't get much footage, but makes his presence felt in the introductory sequence mainly. The baby is simply adorable. The writing hits a high note in the first hour, but should've been as cohesive in the second hour as well. Cinematography by Himman Dhamija is of superior quality. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy music hit score. Mix of peppy and melodious numbers, the ones that stand out is the title track.
On the whole, Heyy Babyy is an entertainer that has something for everyone. The script of Heyy Babyy is believable and the journey from scenes from first to last are well structured. There're minor aberrations in the film but the finale packs in a solid punch. Heyy Babyy promises entertainment unlimited and delivers it with aplomb. It makes you laugh; it makes you moist-eyed.
