While Diana Penty does a decent job in playing the character of Happy, the three men impress with their endearing performances. However, crackling dialogues and well written characters save the show. The film slows down in the second half due to multiple subplots and romantic angles. There are few genuinely funny moments – like a scene where Piyush Mishra, a clumsy Pakistani cop tells Guddu “Ask me about anything but Kashmir”.
The film involves a series of chases, hidings, abduction with a blend of humour in the first half. When questioned, Happy reveals that she had run away from her wedding with the local corporator Daman Singh Bagga (Jimmy Sheirgill) in Amritsar, because she is actually in love with Guddu (Ali Fazal), but her parents are opposed to their relationship. Happy Bhag Jayegi is a romantic comedy and revolves around its female protagonist Happy (Diana Penty), who flees from her marriage and accidentally reaches Lahore, where she meets a Pakistani diplomat’s son Bilal Ahmed (Abhay Deol). While I have several problems with the film, its inherent genuineness makes it likeable and watchable.ĭirector Mudassar Aziz’s Happy Bhag Jayegi is that originally fizzy cola that lost its fizz but it still remained sweet. Happy Bhag Jayegi left me disheartened, not because it is a bad film, but because it could have been so much better. Piyush Mishra is clearly the highlight of the film. The actors were mostly dependable while Diana Penty did much better that I had expected. I was elated to see this being religiously avoided in Happy Bhag Jayegi. And while the writers did give those periodic pro-India one-liners, they were kept subtle, funny and heartfelt. Hindi films that have had an India-Pakistan theme or even a subplot have always had the syndrome of melodrama that often felt artificial and distasteful. My request to all the directors and screenplay writers: Please do not hinder your screenplay by putting a compelled intermission, else the curse of the second half, as it has so happened, will prey on your story that has the potential of being so much better that what you eventually make of it. Having hints of Jab We Met and Tanu Weds Manu, Aziz puts up a fast paced and genuinely funny first half with a plot that is inherently funny and convincing at the same time. Mudassar Aziz’s Happy Bhag Jayegi is one such example that starts at an amusement park promising some crazy roller coasters that end up being a merry-go-round. Very few films can waver between being top-notch at some points and stupid at others. It left me pleased with a smile on my face. Happy Bhag Jayegi has flaws but is still enjoyable and entertaining. A few jokes are repeated multiple times and though, amusing at first, begin to falter towards the end. In spite of the many positives of this film, it loses its touch in the second half as the characters fall into a waterfall of emotions and too many complications arise. Ali Fazal is sweet and simple as Happy’s lover, Guddu, and Piyush Mishra is a delight to watch. In many scenes he tries too hard to be funny and breaks away from the comic flow. Abhay Deol’s acting, however, is far from enticing. Her sharp comic timing and her strong screen presence add depth and freshness to her character. The characters are believable and the intriguing premise manages to captivate the audience.ĭiana Penty delves into the character of Happy with a tremendous amount of energy. Only two hours and six-minutes-long, the film manages to keep a fast-pace despite the few emotional moments where it slightly lingers. Happy Bhag Jayegi however, is commendable with witless but hilarious dialogues. His previous release, Dulha Mil Gaya, did poorly at the box office and received critical reviews. This is writer and director, Mudassar Aziz’s second film.