Happy Bhag Jayegi Review
Expectations
'Tanu Weds Manu' marked the right entry for failed director Anand L.Rai in Hindi film industry. He surprised the audience with the simplicity and detailing attached to this movie followed by 'Raanjhanaa' and 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns'. The humour, minute elements and melodious music established a different world of Anand L.Rai type of films, in which he also added his produced film 'Nil Battey Sannata'.
Thus, right from the first trailer of Anand L.Rai's latest production venture 'Happy Bhag Jayegi', the expectation levels were sky high. The audience could sense another feel-good film consisting some good actors and decent music attached to it.
Story
'Happy Bhag Jayegi' is a story of a daring girl Happy Kaur (Diana Penty), who is getting married to a local corporator Daman Singh Bagga (Jimmy Shergill). Happy decides to elope with her lover Guddu (Ali Fazal) and in that process, accidently, lands up in Pakistan. Out there she meets Bilal Ahmed (Abhay Deol), who belongs to a political family. Bilal decides to help Happy in order to keep this matter guarded. He seeks support from his fiancée Zoya (Momal Sheikh) and A.C.P Usman Afridi (Piyush Mishra). Things go smooth as Bilal had decided until the arrival of Daman Singh Bagga in Pakistan, leading to chaos.
The 'Glitz' Factor
The first half is totally entertaining thanks to fantastic support by Piyush Mishra and Jimmy Shergill. There are many enjoyable scenes featuring Abhay, Piyush, Jimmy and Diana. These scenes keeps the smiling face intact throughout the first half of the film. Also, Abhay sharing his views about Diana by giving example of Madhubala and Momal expressing her feelings to Abhay reminds you of Anand L. Rai's emotional styling and manages to make its proper mark..
The dialogues are soothing and you will love the small instances like Jimmy bragging about the marriage, Piyush's fascination towards Urdu and Pakistan, Javed Sheikh constant thinking about history of Pakistan and few more. The cinematography is good and works in the favour of the film.Music has always been an integral part of Anand L. Rai's films and out here also, it shines out with 'Yaaram', 'Aashiq Tera' and 'Zara Si Dosti.
Director Mudassar Aziz returns back after a long gap. His last film despite of having stars like Sushmita Sen, Fardeen Khan and Shahrukh Khan in an extended appearance, failed to create any impact. Luckily, out here one finds a huge difference thanks to the guidance of Anand L. Rai as the movie has many positive points to cherish. The initial detailing of the supporting actors works in the favour of the film. He ends up delivering a feel-good film catering to universal audience.
Abhay Deol looks great and does his part with grace. Daina Penty is charming and surprises you with her command over her character. Jimmy Shergill is outstanding. He shines out through his personality and attitude in the film. Momal Sheikh looks good and does full justice to her character. Piyush Mishra is amazingly funny and would have loved to see more of him in the film. Kanwaljit Singh and Javed Sheikh lend decent support in the film.
The 'Non-Glitz' Factor
The second half fails to match up to the high standards set by the first half of the film. The movie starts to drag and crawls ahead with confusing screenplay without any proper detailing nor justification. The writers fail to etch the required detailing in Abhay's character and his feelings towards Diana.
The finale is a bit hurried and cluttered. Kanwaljit Singh's track becomes illogical and goofy after a while. If only the second half of the movie would have been as engaging or entertaining as the first half, this movie would have ended up being among one of the finest entertainer in recent time.The end credit song fails to gel with the flow of the film.As the movie progresses, many other characters are left abrupt and underutilized.
If only the finale part would have been bit more entertaining or less cluttered the impact would had been high.Abhay and Diana's character required more depth and detailing.Ali Fazal lends good support but hams a bit in the comical scenes.
Final 'Glitz'
'Happy Bhag Jayegi' will be happily acceptable by the people who love feel-good types of films, despite of its flaws and weakness. The fun elements associated with this movie will keep you engaged and smiling throughout the film.