There are many who started off as directors but went on to become successful producers. Yash Chopra, Mahesh Bhatt, B R Chopra are some of the examples. Now it’s time to add Aanand L Rai to this coveted list. He has proved his worth as a director with films like Tanu Weds Manu series and Raanjhanaa. And he is doing a great job as a producer as a well with Nil Battey Sannata earlier this year and now with the latest film, Happy Bhag Jayegi. The latter is a hilarious and fun-filled joyride that is bound to put a smile on viewers’ faces!
The story of the movie: Daman Singh Bagga(Jimmy Sheirgill), a corporator in Amritsar, is all set to tie the knot with Happy(Diana Penty). But all hell breaks loose when Happy escapes before the wedding and mistakenly lands up in Lahore, Pakistan in the residence of Bilal Ahmed(Abhay Deol), son of ex-governor Javed Ahmed(Javed Sheikh). Happy is impulsive but also knows how to get her way out. She smartly blackmails Bilal into helping her. Meanwhile, Bagga is angry with the development and is ready to go to any length to get back Happy. There’s also Guddu(Ali Fazal), the third angle in the story and who loves Happy dearly.
The makers played a nice trick by cutting the trailer very smartly. The promo gave out nice vibes, seemed very funny but didn’t reveal the actual plot of the film. This 126 minute long movie moves at a swift pace and is laced with some hilarious moments and terrific one liners. The beginning scenes set the mood and things get better when Happy lands up in Pakistan. Unlike other such similar films where protagonists have gone to Pakistan illegally(Welcome To Karachi, Bajrangi Bhaijaan), Happy Bhag Jayegi has no political angle at all. Yet, the entire Indo-Pak backdrop is very nicely used and makes for a great watch. The characterization is brilliant. The makers have nicely made use of all the main 4 characters – 3 male and 1 female. All of them have a purpose and none of them are wasted. The dialogues are extremely funny and witty. In fact, the one liners take the film to another level!
The pace however slackens somewhere in the second half. Zoya’s(Momal Sheikh) dilemma is not properly executed. There seems to be some swift editing done in the ending. It seems like a scene was deleted, maybe to reduce the length. The way Bilal tricks Bagga into helping him in the first half is unconvincing.
It’s a pleasure to see Abhay Deol after almost 2 ½ years on the big screen. Initially, he seems a bit uncomfortable, mouthing the Urdu lines but after a point, he gets into his character. He plays an extremely lovable character beautifully and will be loved. Diana Penty looks extremely stunning and performance wise, she is first rate. Yes, she falls short of convincingly playing the ‘don’t-mess-with-me’ Happy but she does manage to create the effect. In fact, it was a risk to cast her for this role but she manages to make a mark. Here’s hoping we get to see her soon and not after 4 long years! Jimmy Sheirgill is the best performer of the film! Right from the first scene, he rocks the show and raises tons of laughs! The actor in fact has been consistently doing some great work. But Happy Bhag Jayegi is one of his finest and most accomplished performances! Hats off to this great performer! Ali Fazal initially doesn’t have much to do but overall, he delivers a strong performance. Besides Jimmy, another actor who rocks big time is Piyush Mishra(Usman Afridi). Believe it or not, the actor gives a performance which is as awesome as his performances in Gangs Of Wasseypur and Gulaal! He’s simply fantastic! Momal Sheikh makes a confident debut in Bollywood and has some very crucial scenes in the second half. Javed Sheikh is very good and suave but repeats ‘history of Pakistan’ dialogue far too many times. Jagat Rawat(Fakrhu) is fine but hams in some scenes. Ashu Sharma(Winkle) manages to make a mark, despite having a small role. Ayesha Raza(Bilal’s mother) contributes to the fun. Other actors do a nice job.
Sohail Sen’s music is good and in sync with the film’s mood. Happy Oye is the theme of the film while Yaaram is another song that makes an impact. Sen’s background score is damn good as well. Saurabh Goswami’s cinematography is simple and neat. The locations are very nice and nicely pass off as Pakistan. Wasiq Khan’s production design also helps in doing that. Mudassar Aziz’s story is interesting. Screenplay is very tight while the dialogues are one of the best things about the enterprise. Mudassar’s direction is damn good and does total justice to the plot in hand. Watch out for the ‘paratha’ scene and one realizes that how nicely Mudassar just gets it right. Even in the climax(it’s an Aanand L Rai meets Priyadarshan scenario!), he takes it to a crazy level but also realizes where to draw the line. Yes, there were a few blemishes but overall, a terrific job by the writer-director!
Some of the best scenes:
Happy escapes
Bilal finds Happy in his house
Happy gets arrested
Zoya meets Happy
Bilal meets Bagga and Guddu
Guddu and Usman Afridi get drunk
The intermission point
Happy gets kidnapped
Bilal and Guddu talk in the hotel room
The climax
On the whole, Happy Bhag Jayegi is a fun-filled mad, entertaining ride. Mudassar Aziz does a very good as writer-director. Especially his dialogues are very funny and witty. It’s great to see Diana Penty and Abhay Deol back after a hiatus but the real star of the film is Jimmy Sheirgill. He plays a dangerous chap in the film but one can’t help but guffaw whenever he appears on screen. Also kudos to producer Aanand L Rai for backing this film and adding his own touch that takes the film to another level. Great team work and here’s hoping viewers RUN to catch this film in theatres!