Hasee Toh Phasee

Parineeti Chopra's livewire Meeta doesn't become the victim of what initially looks like a 'taming of the shrew' story, while Sidharth Malhorta's charming Nikhil doesn't make of her the demand to conform. Hasee toh Phasee is enchanting in the sense that it gives Bollywood romance that lovable twist which was indeed long overdue. Set against a big fat Indian wedding and a herd of annoying relatives that cannot be done away with, Hasee toh Phasee pleases by critiquing what it seems to exalt. It's indeed one of the very first commercial Hindi films to foreground the hegemony of the family and the pressure it unnecessarily exerts on those who are different. I am absolutely delighted that Karan Johar, the devoted perpetrator of lachrymose family dramas in Bollywood, has broken out of that bubble world to debunk what he had been promoting so far. It's indeed praiseworthy that Johar is trying to break out of his kind of cinema, as already attested by his endorsement of Lunch Box, last year. Two other names, Anurag Kashyap (who has also penned the dialogues) and Vikramaditya Motwane, who have joined hands with Vivek Agarwal and Johar to produce this film, might give you an idea that Hasee toh Phasee is no run of the mill Bollywood rom-com. Director Vinil Mathew's choice of title, however, seems a tad misleading. Hasee toh Phasee sounds frivolous; but, the film has a profundity which the title doesn't give the slightest inkling of.

Nikhil's appeal lies not his looks (as was expected from the devastatingly debonair Sidharth Malhotra), but in his integrity of character. Malhotra subtly downplays his Greek God charm to get into the skin, heart and soul of the character which is truly modern, progressive, yet deeply rooted. No! Not in traditions. Nikhil's strength as well as vulnerability comes from his mature take on relationships and his deep humaneness. And that makes him the most desirable Valentine this year! Meeta's queerness, which strikes you at the very outset, is sustained throughout the film, though she does change into flashy ghaghra-cholis once or twice and dances to typical Punjabi wedding songs. Her difference from other Bollywood rom-com heroines is that her tomboyishness does not come in her way of wooing a man and make him fall in love with her. Meeta, in a way, marks a remarkable transition of the conception of the desirable woman Bollywood has so far projected: she is no Anjali of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), who learns to adopt feminine grace and seductively dance with an unruly anchal flying in the breeze, to win the man of her dreams. The most important twist comes in the end. Watch out for the little epilogue at the airport.

While in the entire ensemble cast manages to keep you at raptures all through, it is Parineeti who takes the cake with her comic timing. Sidharth's suavity is in perfect rhythm with Mr. Goodness act he has to put up, and he performs with rare panache. Adah Sharma, the dolled-up heroine of the small screen, brings into her performance the right degree of peevishness in order to appear irritable. The music is a slight letdown, but that does not really matter since this film, unlike other romantic comedies, does not depend on good music to carry forward the plot.

One of the best Valentine gifts that have come from the Bollywood stable, Hasee toh Phasee is truly a 'come fall in love' experience, that also marks Hindi cinema's coming of age.

I wasn't particularly impressed by Siddharth Malhotra in Student of the Year. On the other hand Parineeti was good in Ishaqzaade and superb in Shuddh Desi Romance. I was eager to see Bollywood's newest pair. They did not disappoint. Siddharth put in a good performance . He looked comfortable in his role. He had good chemistry with Parineeti. I think rom-coms might just be his forte.

Parineeti Chopra stole the show. She plays Meeta, a girl who is brilliant but eccentric. Parineeti makes you laugh and cry. Playing such a role would not have been easy for someone who is doing only her fourth film. But she did an excellent job and proved that she is a fine actress. This young lady will go a long way.

The plot was predictable but good performances from the leads make this a good movie. 8/10

The movie is superb, according to me. This is what you can get from the movie in general:

1)Comedy

2)Emotion

3)Entertainment

4)Reflection of a part of Indian society

5)Deteriorated love v/s Fresh love

6)Minor suspense moments

So, why should you watch this movie?

Well, it has a really great cast with fresh elements of joy and emotion. It introduces lead actor with a character of a guy who may not be big in his life, but is in his heart. The lead actress has the character of a dejected (and rejected) girl who is perceived to be gone crazy but has her own unheard story that proves her awe worthy.

The comedy is just how much a movie should have and has some really great, fresh puns. There are some transition between serious/emotional scenes and comedy scenes to keep the audience happy-sad and light-hearted. The emotional scenes are amazing and at times with the blend of our TV serial drama (guess some of the cast then). However, Parineeti literally made me forget it's a movie with her real like cry and expressions.

The verdict that all the people returning from long years of foreign land exposure and acquiring wrong sorts of habits within that period is thrashed. It is not a concept in the movie but wanted to mention this as I would probably join the herd of foreign returns. Anyways, put your faith in me and watch this movie.

If however you have doubts in the movie, ensure that you have a big crowd coming in to watch the movie with you. Believe me, the power of fake laughs in TV serials actually works at times – psychologically speaking.

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Rom-com flicks are one of genre which has not been experimented in Bollywood much lately. Except for decent Gore Teri Pyar Mein last year, Hasee toh Phasee is refreshing change for Indian audiences who have witnessed an overdose of masala films in 2013.

Nikhil (Sidharth Malhotra) is getting to married to Karishma( Adah Sharma). Enters the trouble maker Meeta ( Parineeti Chopra) , sister of Karishma, who was caste away from the family for 7 years. In order to keep his marriage procedures smooth, Nikhil must keep away Meeta away from the family but actually falls in love her.

Bollywood movies have always been woven around self-realization of whom you actually love ( believe me it happens only during the wedding ceremony) and Hasee Toh Phasee leaves no stone un-turned with typical bollywood potboiler. Screenplay is decent which is gripping in the first half but poor in the 2nd half. Cinematography is outstanding along with powerful art direction. Songs are just about OK. Silver-lining is the entertainment factor which first-time director Vinil Mathew succeeds in achieving. Few hilarious moments will tickle your funny-bone and that is enough to keep the ship sailing. Hats off to Parineeti Chopra for giving a fabulous performance. She is funny, emotes expressively and does a great job overall. Sidharth Malhotra still has a long way to go in terms of acting though he was better than Student of the year. Adah Sharma was looking gorgeous and was good in a small role.

Overall, Hasee toh Phasee has entertainment quotient attached to it despite having few problems. Good 3/5

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Before I get on with the review, let me tell you I'm not a hardcore Parineeti fan. Just like I'm not Kareena's fan even though Jab We Met is in my top 5 list. I went in to watch Hasee to Phasee casually without any expectations, and I was pleasantly surprised. I found the movie to be superb!

From a critics point of view, this movie has nothing new to offer. In fact, you can complain about many things. But this is one movie, where I beg to differ with the critics. Even though I have seen such movies plenty of times, I couldn't help myself from loving Parineeti's character. And needless to say, nobody but Parineeti could have brought the character to life.

Aggressive, Submissive and Whacky! Parineeti's character Meeta has so many shades, you couldn't tell what she'd do next. The only thing I didn't like was : hero falling head over heals for a girl he met just a week back. Maybe they could have given more time for their relation to mature. But that doesn't stop me from LOVING each and every bit of the movie. Like the sequence where the heroine casually asks her sister's fiancé to marry her. Or, the "locked in the room" sequence where Parineeti gives an excellent performance.

I couldn't give much credit to Adah Sharma for acting. Having said that, she is also extremely gorgeous. I'd definitely like to see her in more movies. Chemistry between the lead actors is quite sparkling, and I was quite satisfied with how the things turned out.

I'll be heading to the theater soon to watch this movie again. This movie is definitely going to be in my Top 10 list.