Momal Sheikh’s debut Bollywood film opposite Abhay Deol and Diana Penty has been in the news over the past two weeks for various reasons. First, it marks Diana’s comeback into films post Cocktail, second the plot of the film seems to be a welcome change from the usual,
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Momal Sheikh’s debut Bollywood film opposite Abhay Deol and Diana Penty has been in the news over the past two weeks for various reasons. First, it marks Diana’s comeback into films post Cocktail, second the plot of the film seems to be a welcome change from the usual, terrorism-based depiction of Pak-India relationship and finally because of Momal’s remarks on how “Bollywood is relatively warmer and kinder” compared to the Pakistani film industry which brought a lot of criticism in her direction. On top of all of this, the movie’s Pakistani premiere was cancelled last minute on Thursday and the film did not see the light of day yesterday, as per scheduled, because it was still in review at the Full Board in Islamabad.
However the film has released in India and critics have given their verdict, calling it a mixed bag. While it has been appreciated for looking at the relationship between the two countries from a different perspective instead of endorsing animosity between the two, Happy Bhag Jayegi turned out to be an average affair.
“Happy Bhag Jayegi begins well but soon the laughs are few and far between. A weak script fails this film and its cast,” says Indian Express critic Shubhra Gupta. “We smile in the beginning but all too soon, the pleasures of the film dwindle, and we are left to fend for ourselves, looking for something that will make us laugh, even if it is weak laughter. There is some of it, but it is far too intermittent,” she adds.
According to the review posted in Gulf News, the film is a “tale of a feisty bride (Diana Penty) and the three men that she has got wound around her slim fingers” and this is what spurs this romantic comedy forward. “Happy Bhag Jayegi is a situational comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. A Punjabi bride’s elopement plan that goes awry and takes her to Lahore is what sets the ball rolling,” writes Manjusha Radhakrishnan of Gulf News.
“Fortunately, the love angles were wrapped up in a sensible manner. There was no drama and that was a relief. This is no laugh riot, but Happy Bhag Jayegi has its glorious moments. Reserve this for a one-time watch, she concludes.
However, Rohit Vats of Hindustan Times feels the film has done its job. “Happy Bhag Jayegi is a light-hearted comedy where actors don’t go overboard. They take liberties to be funny, but understand the gravity of the situation. You may find some scenes repeated, or ‘inspired’ from other films, but Happy Bhag Jayegi has a funny tone to it. The whole idea of the film seems far-fetched initially, but the build-up to the climax washes all our doubts away,” he notes.
