Film Review: 'Happy Bhag Jayegi' assures a few laughs

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Film Review: Happy Bhag Jayegi assures a few laughs

Happy Bhag Jayegi is a fun, innocent caper that should assure a few good laughs.

By Deepa Gauri

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Published: Fri 19 Aug 2016, 11:00 AM

Last updated: Sun 21 Aug 2016, 6:30 PM

There is an innocent mirth that runs through most of Happy Bhag Jayegi, a story of bumbling coincidences that is set in two countries - India and Pakistan.
While it is no Bajrangi Bhaijaan, it definitely is leagues ahead of Tere Bin Laden 2, another film from the great Bollywood factory that goes haywire in the name of cross-border slapstick.
This could have been more 2 States than any film venturing across the border and back because it presents people in both nations as 'people' who make mistakes, can be foolish and talk sensibly than go hyper when they hear the other nation's name.
The film's purpose and mission is clearly defined: To make you laugh but not at the expense of anyone. That is indeed noble given how Bollywood resorts to caricatures in the name of comedy.
But yes, such innocent filmmaking also comes with its flip side. Happy Bhag Jayegi is rather predictable, some of the comedy sketches do fall flat, and the narrative doesn't always rise above the mundane to be compelling.
Further, people and life across both borders are rather one-dimensional; everyone seems to be fumbling at all times.
But where the film does shine is in its performances. Diana Penty as Happy delivers a fine performance that should give her some great leeway into Bollywood.
As the bride who runs away and finds herself in Pakistan, she brings freshness to the role.  Mudassar Aziz tells the story at a brisk pace initially - just as the titles role, we find Happy making the dash for life.  There are some fictional liberties taken - which is the only way the film would have worked. So Happy's border-crossing is a breeze.
There she comes across Bilal (Abhay Deol) and his fiancée Zoya (Momal Sheikh), who help her to bring Guddu (Ali Fazal), the love of her life and get them married. So off Bilal goes to India, finds Guddu - but only after having to tackle Bagga (Jimmy Shergill), to whom she was to be married.
Well, you really cannot take these proceedings seriously, and you shouldn't. This is simple fun with no pretentions.
Perhaps what is interesting about the movie is how Happy's adventure touches Bilal. Bilal aspired to be a cricketer but has been forced to pursue politics for his father, and Happy's impulsiveness shows him his own failure not to chase his real dreams.
That brings a bit of tension in his relationship with Zoya - but all these are deftly portrayed without the film dipping at any point into melodrama.
Abhay Deol, Jimmy Shergill, Ali Fazal and Momal Sheikh - as well as the horde of supporting actors - deliver their roles with effortless ease. That is what brings plausibility and genuine mirth to the movie.
Happy Bhag Jayegi claims to be nothing more than a breezy comic caper; it delivers that for most part. While the film could have been a trifle shorter and some of repetitiveness shed, let us say that Happy will not tax you or vex you: That, in itself, is solace.
Happy Bhag Jayegi
Directed by Mudassar Aziz
Starring: Diana Penty, Abhay Deol, Jimmy Shergill, Ali Fazal & Momal Sheikh
Now playing at theatres in the UAE
Rating: 2.5/5


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