There are few likable things about #BobbyJasoos but the essence of the movie is in the simplicity in handling of an ambitious script. Bobby Jasoos is the story of a 30-year-old Bilkis “Bobby “Ahmed from a conservative family of Mughalpura, Hyderabad. She is a not your usual middle-class woman, she has a dream that too an unusual one, to be a detective. The conflict between Bobby and her father resembles the conflict between any elder son and father in a family. Her father wants Bilkis to get married off and clear ways for her younger sisters. But she is determined, passionate and carefree. A desire to become a detective in a world of conservative by lanes and mentalities grants melodrama to the film. Wondering that how her father would have reacted, had she wanted to an engineer or doctor, would be a different story altogether. We are more moved by such middle-class dreams which are on contrast large-scale dreams, beyond their reach and their struggle to reach there rather than shallow problems of the three men of #ZindagiMilegiNaDobara or of the big people from big palaces #KabhiKhushiKabhiGham. There are also three subplots interestingly interwoven in the story, the conflict between Bobby and his father, an unintended love story between Bobby and Tasawwur and the search of, the mystery man and the major client of Bobby, for his children lost in communal riots. It is of comic detective genre intermingled with the collisions of human relationships in such a way that when we anticipate Anees Khan to be criminal who uses Bobby for his disguised motives , it becomes a story of a helpless father and the film eventually ends with Bilkis realizing the concerns of her father and resolution of disagreements between two of them . It’s important to observe that’s its not just a detective genre.

This time ever dependable actress Vidya Balan is seen in many Avatars, she shines throughout the film without going overboard.Her full sleeved Salwar Kameej, sneakers and a backpack and never missed out Hyderabadi accent, innocence, passion, effervescence, and rawness light up the screen every time she appears. It’s clearly a one-man show but she has got the company of veteran actors as supporting cast. #RajendraGupta as a tough conservative father, #SupriyaPathak as the ever-doting mother and #KiranKumar as the mystery man is a pleasure to watch to watch after a long time in such significant characters. Ali Fazal, on the other hand, is the surprise package of the film. He brings freshness, suaveness and demands your constant attention being on the same frame with Vidya Balan. His theater background is clearly evident from his performance and he should be seen more often in meatier roles. In spite of the notable age difference, they look good together.

However, the film has its share of flaws. There are many loopholes in the script. Although the story moves at a quick pace, it does not engage one emotionally in its prime, the revelation of the secret, in the climax , therefore a very well thought of plot loses its conviction. Every song in the movie is an interruption to the narrative and is an absolute misfit. Hyderabad is shown with its popular features, what it is known for but not with serious detailing, probably that wasn’t needed in a light-hearted genre, however Char Minar, narrow by lanes and biryani register their presence occasionally. Therefore a stand out script gets cliched in its treatment such as realization by Tasawwur of his liking towards Bilkis and his confession.

With all this, Bobby Jasoos is still watchable for the lead performances, a sweet feel-good story of ambitions and relations and for the love of Hyderabad in its well-known charm after a long time on silver screen.