Star Cast Abhishek Bachchan, Inayat Verma, Nasser, Nora Fatehi, and others.
Director: Remo D’Souza
Highlights
What’s Good: The undeniable chemistry between Abhishek Bachchan and Inayat Verma!
What’s Bad: The film struggles to break free from its predictable storyline.
Loo Break: Feel free to take a break whenever you need!
Watch or Not?: Unsure? Check out the review for more insights!
Language
Hindi
Availability Streaming on: Prime Video
Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes
It’s been two hours since I finished watching Be Happy, featuring Abhishek Bachchan and Inayat Verma, and I find myself caught in a classic dilemma—whether I genuinely enjoyed it or not. When I first saw the film’s trailer, I was quite intrigued. My excitement stemmed from two main reasons: A) I used to have a crush on Abhishek Bachchan, and B) I loved his on-screen chemistry with Inayat Verma in Ludo directed by Anurag Basu.
As I reflect on the film, I’m grappling with my feelings. It feels harsh to criticize a movie that’s rich in emotional depth. The film kicks off with a bang, capturing my attention until it reaches the climax.
Alright, let’s dive in together and see if we can figure out if I liked it and just how much!
Be Happy Movie Review: Script Analysis
Be Happy begins with a dream—one belonging to a young girl named Dhara, who aspires to be a dancer. Being raised by her father Shiv (played by Abhishek Bachchan) and her grandfather (Nasser), Dhara idolizes Maggie Ma’am, a renowned dancer in Mumbai who trains children for the prestigious reality show, India’s Dancing Superstar.
Conflict arises as Dhara and her father clash over her aspirations and neglect their studies. She employs various tactics, even emotional manipulation, to convince her father, saying, “If mom were here, she would support me.”
Inayat Verma’s charm and quirkiness instantly draw you in, while Nasser brings warmth to his role as a doting grandfather. In contrast, Abhishek’s character is still grappling with the loss of his wife, caught in a cycle of merely existing rather than truly living.
The premise is quite formulaic—a young girl with dreams, a strained father-daughter relationship, their eventual reconciliation, and a pivotal incident that shifts their goals.
Be Happy Movie Review: Star Performance
Abhishek Bachchan delivers a heartfelt performance as a struggling single father attempting to fill a maternal void. His emotional breakdown in one scene is particularly poignant, though even his earnest efforts can’t salvage the film, which begins to falter in the second half. Inayat Verma shines brightly, even if I feel some child actors don’t always portray their age accurately—though that might be more about the writing than her performance. Nasser impresses, and Nora Fatehi does her best to hold the story together, but none can prevent its decline.
Harleen Sethi, who plays the deceased mother, brings a refreshing presence, but her role lacks substance. There’s even a dance sequence featuring Abhishek that feels misjudged; his struggle is painfully evident.
Be Happy Movie Review: Direction, Music
Remo D’Souza has previously delivered quality content—except for Race 3, of course. Films like ABCD and ABCD 2 had their charm, especially with engaging music and dance numbers. Be Happy begins strong but loses its way as it shifts from Ooty to Mumbai. The film struggles to balance two narratives: the father-daughter relationship and Dhara’s aspiration to compete in a dance reality show. Unfortunately, neither plot truly shines.
The film’s soundtrack is decent, but the placement of the songs feels off, leading to disappointment. It’s odd for a movie centered around dance and music to lack well-executed dance sequences.
Be Happy Movie Review: The Last Word
Ultimately, Be Happy falls short due to its lost narrative, even as it clings to a predictable plot. While there are moments of brilliance, the overall cohesion is lacking. The dance sequences, which should have been spectacular in a dance film, are underwhelming. Abhishek and Inayat’s dance should have been a showstopper, yet even reality shows on Indian television deliver better choreography and editing.
What I hoped would be a film I loved has turned into a disappointment, especially as the plot shifts to a dramatic life-threatening medical situation. The climax feels overly dramatic, and it’s frustrating to see characters make questionable decisions in such serious contexts. Life’s struggles are real, and one can’t just “be happy” when the end feels imminent.
P.S. What’s up with the protagonist’s name? It seems like the characters can’t decide between calling her Dhara or Dhaaraa!
Rating: 3 stars!
