Film: Happy Bhaag Jayegi
Cast: Diana Penty, Abhay Deol, Jimmy Shergill, Ali Fazal and Momal Sheikh
Director: Mudassar Aziz
What it's about
Happy (Diana Penty) elopes from her wedding to local politician Daman Singh Bagga (Jimmy Shergill) in Amritsar. Happy's good-for-nothing boyfriend Guddu (Ali Fazal) arranges for a truck that she has to leap in to get away from the wedding. She changes into a pair of sneakers and jumps into a truck. Unfortunately, due to a slight error she finds herself in Lahore, in reluctant politician Bilal's (Abhay Deol) house. Bilal, who is engaged to Zoya (Momal Sheikh) and is being groomed by his father (Javed Sheikh) to be the next Jinnah, is forced to help Happy when she threatens to ruin his family's name. He is aided by police officer Afridi (Piyush Mishra) in his effort to resolve the situation. What happens next forms the crux of the movie.
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What's hot
What works for the movie is that the humour is clean. It may not make you roll on the floor with laughter, but it's pleasant. Diana's Happy seems to be an extension of Kareena Kapoor Khan's Geet from Jab We Met, but her character lacks the depth that the latter had. Abhay is in good form here. The actor has found a part that he does complete justice to. Be it the light, humourous moments or scenes where he has to tap into complex emotions, the actor does it all with much ease. Jimmy, once again after Tanu Weds Manu and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, doesn't make it to the mandap. While it may seem like a repeat act, the actor is dependable as ever. Ali Fazal is competent but has little to do in the movie. Momal makes an effective debut. This film is a good example of how an effective cast — including supporting actors like Piyush Mishra, Javed Sheikh and Kanwaljeet Singh — can lift a film that may seem predictable. The rom-com steers clear of the typical India-Pakistan jokes and instead keeps the humour light-hearted. The dialogues deserve a special mention as they add to the soul of the film. However, the music is a letdown.
What's not
When Guddu meets Bilal, he tells the latter that everyone who gets to know Happy falls in love with her. But you end up wondering why that is so. Yes, she is a pretty girl and a chatterbox, but the character at various points seems rather unreasonable and shallow. In fact, after the first half, she has very little to do and the focus shifts to Bilal and Zoya's relationship, which is deeper and complex. While the first half is great, the second half is kind of predictable. The climax seems like it's inspired by one of Priyadashan's movies like Hera Pheri and Hungama where all characters land at one place in the end, which leads to chaos. While Jimmy does make the most of the situation in the end, the director leaves his sudden disappearance from the final chase unexplained.
What to do
If it's a feel-good film you are looking for, this one should definitely be your pick.
Rating: ***
