Phillauri movie review: Light-hearted film with slow pace
Although the film has its light moments, it fails to hold your attention for long.
Phillauri is Anushka Sharma's second outing as a producer, after the powerful NH10 in 2015. This film, as the trailer suggested, is very different from her earlier offering and revolves around a friendly ghost.
We were, admittedly, skeptical when the trailer was first unveiled. The main plot of the film is the big fat Punjabi wedding of Kanan (Suraj Sharma) with Anu (Meherene Kaur Pirzada) so you can expect the usual celebration fare in the first half. Kanan has to be married to a tree as he is a manglik and he ends up accidentally marrying a ghost (Anushka Sharma) residing on the tree.
After his last film, Life of Pi, Suraj plays his part of a confused 26-year-old, fresh from Canada, with ace. Meherene is the bride in distress, who doesn't know what to do about her fiancé's disinterest in the wedding but continues to support him. The film has it hilarious parts but moves at a slow pace when the ghost follows Suraj and he is confused after the situation he has got himself into.
Phillauri lifts itself when Diljit Dosanjh makes a heroic entry as a poet and singer in Phillaur from the pre-independence era and Anushka is his love interest. The film transitions seamlessly between both the love stories, placed in different eras. Songs like Dum Dum, Sahiba are aptly placed in the film and help take the narrative ahead.
What happens between Anushka and Diljit and why is she still a haunting ghost after 98 years? Will Kanan end up marrying Anu or would he opt out, developing a cold feet? Watch the film to know your answers.
We have to make a special mention of Biji, the grandmother in the film who lives a high life, dancing to the Punjabi beats and listening to vintage records on her gramophone.
But the film leaves much to be desired - the story moves in the predictable direction. There are many moments when are waiting for the movie to catch pace and surely the film could have been more tightly edited.
If you are looking for some light-heartened watch this weekend, Phillauri should be your pick.
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Diljit Dosanjh, Suraj Sharma, Meherene Kaur Pirzada
Directed by: Anshai Lal
Rating: 2/5
Now playing in theaters in the UAE
