Phir le aaya dil, majboor, kya kije, because Barfi! is celebrating its 12th anniversary this September. We can’t get enough of this romantic comedy (yeah, sure, comedy indeed). Directed by Anurag Basu, the movie tells an engaging tale of an autistic girl, Jhilmil, who falls in love with Barfi, a deaf and mute man. Ranbir Kapoor in Barfi! leaves the audience juggling with emotions. Priyanka Chopra as Jhilmil and Ileana D’Cruz as Shruti Ghosh, Barfi’s ex, do complete justice to their roles.

You might be well-versed with the plot and other remarkable scenes. If you’re not, then you should watch Barfi! today. But one thing is certain, you don’t know some of the more interesting facts about the making of the film. Kyun…naa hum tum, chale to discover some lesser known facts about the movie? Hai kya khayaal, baawre?

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1. Barfi or Murphy?

In the movie, Ranbir Kapoor goes around with the name Barfi. But his parents had named him Murphy. It was a classic case of things getting lost in translation as people mistook the English name Murphy for an Indian sweet dish, Barfi.

2. Method acting

Anurag Basu’s first and foremost choice for the character Barfi was Ranbir Kapoor. His expectations and hopes with the actor paid off when Ranbir put forth a fabulous performance. He focused on the little details to do justice to the given role, going so far as to even lock himself up in a room to feel everything Barfi would feel.

3. Signing up for Shruti Ghosh

Initially, Katrina Kaif was supposed to play the role of Shruti Ghosh. Due to a clash in the shooting dates, Ileana D’Cruz was offered the role. She played the character remarkably, making a strong presence on screen.

4. Character inspiration

Ranbir Kapoor’s character, Barfi, was inspired by Charlie Chaplin and Mr Bean. His moustache, personality and bizarre gestures hint towards the character arc of the two legends.

5. Certified brilliance

The censor board gives a ‘U’ certificate to permit ‘unrestricted public exhibition’ of any film. Barfi! was Anurag Basu’s first ever movie to receive this certificate.

6. From Tollywood to Bollywood

Back then, Ileana D’Cruz, who had only worked in Telugu films, made her Bollywood debut through Barfi!. As her first Bollywood movie, her role spoke to the audience.

7. Case karo

Murphy Enterprises, a Mumbai-based firm that made radios during the post-independence era, sued the producers of Barfi! for using the words ‘Murphy’, ‘Murphy Munna’ and ‘Murphy Radio’ in the film and its title track. The producers did that without seeking permission from the company.

8. Copy that

Some scenes from the movie Barfi! have been taken from Hollywood movies, including The Notebook and Singin’ in the Rain. The scene where Ranbir’s nose bends as he walks in the door parallels the 1952 American musical comedy Singin’ in the Rain. Another scene, where Barfi and Jhilmil go to bed together, holding hands, only to be found dead the next morning, is reminiscent of a similar scene with Duke and Allie at the end of The Notebook.

9. Title search

The movie was initially titled Khamoshi, as it was the story of a deaf and mute person. Moreover, it aligned with the overall theme of figurative silence. Later, Anurag Basu changed the title to Barfi! as the lead character Murphy went around with that name. It also reflects how the so-called “normal” people with abled bodies and senses misunderstand people like Barfi.

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