HAPPY BHAG JAYEGI - Movie Review

HAPPY BHAG JAYEGI written and directed by Mudassar Aziz, starring Abhay Deol, Jimmy Sheirgill, Diana Penty, Ali Fazal and Momal Sheikh in the lead roles. A drama set in India, gets taken in to Pakistan to flourish a runaway love story. Happy (played by Diana Penty) loves Guddu (played by Ali Fazal) but her marriage is being set with a politician Bagga (played by Jimmy Sheirgill). She elopes but the plan by Guddu gets muddled up and Happy ends up in Pakistan where she is being looked after by Bilal (played by Abhay Deol) a rising politician, but even he has to keep this hidden from the media as his family’s reputation could be affected. Between all this drama, Bilal has to safely get Happy and Guddu reunited in Pakistan. Amongst all the tensions, news and plans fail, allowing Bagga to find them all and that adds more drama inside Pakistan. With all the time and effort, Bilal is confused about his own love story with Zoya (played by Momal Sheikh). Will saving Happy and getting her united with her love affect Bilal and his love life with the one who he is supposed to get married to? Is there going to be additional twists with all the problems that already have been created? Watch Happy Bhag Jayegi to find out who walks away the happiest and who misses out.

POSITIVES

• A film that exploits the relationship between India and Pakistan in a positive manner showing more of unity and less of the political sagas that are tagged in association with the two countries. It was a delight to see a film on such strong countries coming together to produce a pleasurable movie.
• The story was uplifting, attractive and enjoyable although it was pretty predictable but what keeps you as the audience attentive with the film, are the pleasant and amusing dialogues. There were several standout dialogues that turned this comedy into a comical film. The script, despite having few flaws, it manages to keep you engrossed throughout. The first half and second half both prove worthwhile to the viewing experience.
• The cast were superb and the pairings were different but effective as the film manages to give prominence to each individual equally and not allowing significance to be portrayed to just a singular character as that tends to slow the flow of the story to progress for the others. The writers manage to interlink each main character bit by bit without any disappointments. The scenes are acted out quite strongly, this does not give any room for questioning of the actors once they finish their scenes. From seeing the film, it almost felt as if it was a natural scene transpiring when the characters have a dialogue interaction because they were doing it so well.

NEGATIVES

• Although the script being well written in terms of putting an entertaining movie together, some scenes were expectable as well as a couple of scenes could have been showcased with more dominance and necessity, ideally referring to scenes such as father expressing his anger over his daughter eloping rather than venting minimal frustration to those around him. Other scenes such as we get glimpse of the consequences this elope is having on Bilal and Momal's personal life, maybe the writers should have allowed more severity bearing due to Happy's presence. The climax scene felt like the downer to the movie, it was done unconvincingly and it surely was not as luring as how the build-up was.
• With so many cast talents to handle and give equal screen space to ensure they make a commanding impacting to the outcome of the story, I think the film was tight on runtime. It seemed rushed towards the end with the wrap up where more character development could have been narrated.

CAST

• ABHAY DEOL - Effortlessly holds the film together with a performance that you just do not want it coming to an end. Having him acting on screen adds stability at all times. He is given the role as the anchor in the film, more screen space and given priority above others within the script itself. He manages to excel in his role so well, leaving no room for dissatisfactions.
• DIANA PENTY - She shows potential in her role, a likeable character and very loud with her dialogues and body language to add that fiery persona within her that lets her to get in to such mess in the story. She ignites some sparks but not enough to have a standout act. But she does enough to leave an effect on screen and remain in the audience’s thoughts. A petty face adding glamour and a love angle to the spectacle.
• JIMMY SHEIRGILL - Once again the actor seems to be acting out his scenes with simplicity and finesse. It looks like Jimmy needs very little dialogues as his facial expressions speaks on screen perfectly itself. His authority allocates dominance and power over the others, his one liners were notable giving him a commendably packed performance although a similar representation from Tanu Weds Manu character. Yet he is still a joy to watch on screen and especially with his Panjabi curses bring a smile to the audience because it is so timely and fitting once mentioned.
• ALI FAZAL - Preserves a softer dignity amongst the rest of the male stars but leaves that inclusion of feeling sympathetic for him. He is a worthy actor who may need to develop in wider roles as his roles have been on the same wave length in the past. He adds to the love angle quite well but he required more supremacy if his character is an essential influence to the eloped actress.
• MOMAL SHEIKH - Playing second fiddle, she starts off as an interruption to the flow of the film but as the film progresses, she becomes more involved and that permitted her to stamp her stake in the scenario. She tries to help resolve the situation as well tries to find out about her own love life. This gave her the screen space to enact versatile emotions and that was an attractive watch along with the comedy. She comes in as an upper class and independent strong female figure, she does well in being a worthy part of the film.

RATING

I would rate Happy Bhag Jayegi 4/5 as this film was something refreshing and an engaging watch. This satisfying film portrays seriousness and comedy, but also adding love angle to it. The ride between two countries and the togetherness of those within the society on screen ensures a family filled film was going to be a charming one. The cast put in a laudable performance that you just enjoy watching and wait in anticipation for them to return in the next scene. The concept was worthwhile but it was the execution that slightly began to drift from an entertaining start. The plot climax seems to put a damper to what was a good viewing experience in the build-up. But despite that, this film provides laughter and humour with enough sparks especially with the impact of prolific stars like Jimmy Sheirgill and Abhay Deol as well as rising talents like Diana Penty and Ali Fazal. We highly recommend Happy Bhag Jayegi if you want to watch something uplifting.