The cartoonish climactic chase sequence too seems juvenile. Since the love tracks seem unconvincing and abrupt, the second half tanks a bit. The supply of situational comedy won’t end till you leave the theatre. Overall, director Mudassar Aziz’s film is a good watch. Overall, 'Happy Bhag Jayegi' is perfect for a weekend outing with your entire family. He also makes gentle comments through Piyush Mishra on how much of India and Pakistan is shared experience. Director Mudassar Aziz explores the anatomy of commitment and honesty in a relationship without squandering away the spirit of satire that streams across this endearing rom-com. Surprisingly an element of gravity is introduced mid-way when the narrative sneaks in a telling contrast in the relationships that Bilal and Guddu share with their respective life-mates. It is as if you can see the writer's struggle with what they really want – a situational sense of humor verus what they think the audience wants – a slapstick.
It is the chaos in end that just gets to you and brings the film crumbling down. The songs for once don't seem intrusive, even if the background music weirdly guides you to laugh and stop. It is quite an achievement for Jimmy Sheirgill to play the guy who always loses his bride-to-be, and yet be entertaining all over again. The comic timing, the littlest of change in body and facial expressions, were thoroughly enjoyable. The performances were all convincing and entertaining. What's more, Bilal's wife ( Momal Sheikh) who could have been the stereotypical vamp, is constrained in her reactions and in fact very human. Some of the humor aside, they named a character Afridi and did not take potshots at the Pakistani cricketer! That must have required some restraint. It is the things that you don't expect Happy Bhag Jayegi to do that make the film enjoyable. The last bit slapped on, in the form of slapstick, ruins it all. While each individual element of the story, the romance, the comedy, the politics, the social message are beaten to death in films, this mixture kind of works. Only, when the other characters talk about it,do you realise that it is a major part of the film. Bilal Ahmed's ( Abhay Deol) track grows on the side almost unnoticed. Surprisingly, there is some subtle humor too.Īlso, unexpected is the social commentary on parental pressure in the form of a parallel thread. But some of its one-liners and situations make you giggle at the silliness. Sure, Happy Bhag Jayegi has all the trappings of a typical romcom, that goes for the “chaotic lie-after-lie” brand of comedy. Milliblog - "After Housefull 3, Sohail has a couple of good numbers here too!" India Today - "If he keeps giving forgettable work like this, it might not take too much effort for the audience to erase him from their memories." Will it keep me entertained and/or charmed through the couple hours though? That and the couple quips in the trailer are just about enough to draw me to the theater. There is a third angle here and that might be the one to look forward to most – both because of the actor involved, Abhay Deol and the character himself. It doesn't help that Jimmy Sheirgill is called upon yet again to be the guy who loses his bride-to-be. With both themes - runaway bride and a Indian finding themselves in Pakistan – done a few times, the combination will have to be give something really different - dialogue or individual situations or something.
This could have been interesting if one of the aspects was novel. This time Tanu Weds Manu meets Bajrangi Bhaijaan.