Hasee Toh Phasee

It had been a longtime since I opined about a Bollywood movie, the reasons for which happens to be its duration and there was nothing that caught my attention or even the slightest bit of intrigue. So let me just a stretch a bit. Hasee Toh Phasee was something I initially turned my back on thinking its your usual romcom then I decided to give it a chance, just for Parineeti Chopra. It was anything BUT your usual romcom. There were indeed antiques of it from time to time but it was much more enjoyable thanks to the film's slightly artsy production. Unlike the typical Bollywood romcoms 'cheesy' had not been served hot from frame one but as I said there were scenes that constantly reminded you that you were indeed watching one.

Parineeti Chopra just steals the show. She'd already proved her talents with her debutante performance in Ladies Vs Ricky Behl and through out her career till date she has done nothing but racked up commendation. She never did really improve. Why? Coz there was no need for improvisation. She was doing the best, bringing her own brand of acting to whichever roles she played in. And in Hasee Toh Phasee's oddball, innocent Meeta, is the more diverse side of her acting we get to see. I haven't seen Sidharth Malhotra's Student of The Year so I had nothing to compare his performance to and I found it a good thing. I was in for Parineeti and I got served but what surprised me was Sidharth as well. Sidharth's Nikhil Bhardwaj, despite his cold steel looks, was convincingly acted out. Special mention goes to the strong supporting cast as well, be it Manoj Joshis performance as the subtle and loving father or Ada Sharma's ab initio knockout-turned-bitch. Brownie points goes to that uncredited actor who plays Nikhil's cousin who breaks out into weird Anu Malik acapellas and twitchy dance moves at the slightest excuse. Scenes with him and Nikhil's paranoid ex-cop dad (played by Sharath Saxena) had me in splits.

Vishal Dadlani's music had been spot on, catchy tunes further adorns the romance and festive visuals Be it the funky Shake it Like Shammy or the soothing Zehnaseeb, it goes perfectly in sync with it all. And of course it wouldn't be complete if I don't quote something on Drama Queen track and what more to add than its great to shake a leg.

Debutant Vinil Mathews' Hasee Toh Phasee is a modestly entertaining movie but not without flaws. A level of Bollywoodism in certain spots borders on mundane and had it not been there I would have loved it even more. Lets not forget that Hasee Toh Phasee becomes a bit tiresome towards the end what with it being victim to our usual chunk of Bollywood cheesiness. But a lot of heartfelt moments and earnest performances overshadows those, making it a pocket-sized enjoyable one time flick. And if it still doesn't sound appealing, watch it for Parineeti's efficaciously riveting performance.

Just watched this movie in theatres today morning and I just loved it.

The story is abt Nikhil (Malhotra) who meets Meeta (Chopra) at the latter sister's wedding while she is running away. They again meet seven years later when Nikhil is abt to get married to Karishma (Sharma), Meeta's sister. This time Karishma gives him the responsibility of taking care of her and keeping her away from her family.

I was impressed with the writers and the director. Its not ur usual run of the mill RomCom because within the story, there are many layers such as Meeta and her father's (Joshi) relationship from whom she stole money 7 yrs ago or Nikhil not trying to dump his fiancé, Karishma in spite of she breaking the relationship many times earlier or Meeta being a brilliant scientist who can fix cars or speak fluent Chinese.

The movie has some excellent dialogues, scenes and some funny side characters such as Nikhil's father who is a retired cop or Nikhil's relative who an Indian Idol contestant. My favorite scene is when Nikhil's father suspects Meeta for stealing an expensive necklace which left me in splits.

The drawbacks in the film are the not so melodious songs except for 'Zehanaseeb' which slow down proceedings in the 2nd half or the lengthy climax.

Malhotra in his 2nd outing is confident. His character of a confused under confident man trying to do his best to keep all happy is tricky but Malhotra proves his mettle. He is still a stiff actor who can do comedy but I suggest he stick to romcom or drama movies.

The rest of cast put a good performance especially Joshi, Sharma and Saxena.

However, Chopra walks away with all honors. I'm happy to say that finally there is a Hindi film heroine who is not dumb but a genius scientist. She is smart, witty, caring, selfish and yet deep inside she is depressed and seeks the love of her father. When she is on screen, the movie moves to another level.

She the only reason why I say this movie rocks....go watch it for her performance.

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.

Source: http://pratikkataria.tumblr.com/post/76016747154/

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.