Phillauri

Successful fantasy dramas in Bollywood are a rare phenomena. With Amol Palekar's Paheli (2005) as a solid benchmark, it can be difficult to create an interesting film, as this ambitious project by a debutante director shows.

Kanan (Suraj Sharma) is a young man who arrives from Canada and is taken by his parents straight to his would-be-fiancée and high school sweetheart Anu's (Mehreen Pirzada) house for their engagement and subsequent wedding which is scheduled a week from now. Already mad with the swift turn of events and unsure about the whole marriage thing, Kanan tries to speak his mind, but it all falls in deaf ears. Things move at a faster rate as he is directed by the family pandit (Hindu scholar) to first marry a tree so that he can get rid of his astrological curse. No prize for guessing, but Kanan soon finds out that the tree that he married the previous day contained the ghost of a woman named Shashi (Anushka Sharma) who now believes and takes him to be her lawfully-wedded husband. A shaken Kanan tries to avoid her, but for how long? And how is he going to explain it to Anu, who now thinks that Kanan has changed from a genteel lover-boy to a weed-smoking hipster who plays around with women's feelings...

If there is a thing called convenient filmmaking, then this is it. With the setup of a big Indian wedding that reminds me of a yesteryear Malayalam-language film, Anwar Rasheed's Ustad Hotel (2012), used to introduce the characters, the film makes a promising start. Superstitious families, an over-attached girlfriend, and a mysterious ghost from the previous century - the film has everything a Bollywood film could ask for. And for some time, it even manages to entertain. However, the level of quality and entertainment soon falls when you realize that the humor is forced and the drama unceremonious and inconsequential. Kanan is a 26-year old man and his encounters with Shashi are so childish they are cringe-worthy. Suraj's portrayal as the helpless guy does not work either, even when he is supported by a talented supporting cast.

The only positive element that works for the film is that the suspense about Shashi's past stays strong throughout the film, mostly because it is explored non-linearly and is only dug deeper in the final 30 minutes. The base is quite similar to Palekar's 2005 SRK-starrer, with the exception of disappointing performances from the lead cast. Suraj sports a single expression throughout the 2 hours of running time - whether it is him flirting with his would-be or being terrorized by Shashi. Anushka does not do much for her character other than lazing around from point A to B looking like she hasn't a clue. All excuses defending her character should be attributed to bad writing. Pirzada is a cutie, but needs to improve her acting chops if she wants to stay. Diljit Dosanjh is the only main character who gives out an authentic performance, and we cannot thank director Anshai Lal for that. The direction is overall average, with Lal using tried and tested methods to narrate his story and still failing to impress. The fitting and well-crafted background score and few hummable songs further accentuate the film as a one-time watch.

With laudable CGI for a Bollywood film and the fact that the romance in the film is tied to an important part of Indian pre-Independence history, this second production by Anushka Sharma is a watchable but average affair. Go for it if you have nothing else to do.

BOTTOM LINE: Anshai Lal's "Phillauri" is a ghost story that flip flops between romance, fantasy, and comedy with these genres providing entertainment in the descending order. It is high on romance thanks to the backstory set in the 1910s, but is pretty low on comedy, no thanks to the writing. Watch it on TV.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

I created this account specifically because the person who has reviewed this movie before me refers to it as a "rip off" of the Corpse Bride. He has either not watched Corpse Bride (in which case he can't compare the two) or he hasn't watched Phillauri (on which case he cannot post a review here). Corpse Bride and Phillauri are two different movies with two different plots. I would even go on to say that Phillauri is more appealing.

Phillauri is about a man who is manglik. (Manglik is an entirely Hindu idea, no one outside India even knows what manglik means so this can't have happened in an English movie). His parents force him to marry a tree and in the process he gets married to a ghost who lives in the tree. The first half is hilarious and the second drags on a bit but it is watchable. The end makes you feel good about watching it. Diljit Dosanjh and Anushka Sharma are amazing. The maid lead pair don't have much chemistry and not much can be expected of them since it is their first movie.

I think we should start appreciating our home grown talent rather than trying to find similarities where there are none. An original movie and a must watch.

Very worst idea and concept. The fearing is not natural. Dialagues writing is not good.

This is a good movie, but it could have been better if the flashbacks weren't so lengthy. It drawls especially towards the second half. Phillauri has a crazy, goofy start with Shashi (Anushka Sharma) getting confused with the technology of the 21st Century. The makers could have added some more confusions and cut most of the flashback scenes to give it some speed. Worth a watch.

#Phillauri : @AnushkaSharma proved with her last production venture that a girl can make a film. She can produce a full length feature film. NH10 received good applause from the critics as well as the audiences. Now, Anushka is producing her second film, Phillauri.

I was curious after seeing the trailer of this one. Diljit Dosanjh is my favorite after Udta Punjab. Sahiba song is also praiseworthy. And friendly-ghost story of Anvita Dutt made me to go to the theater on day one.

As I was curious to know which work was not completed of Shashi (the ghost), I enjoyed the film and the process to reach the final stage. Pre-interval portion is majorly in 2017, showing the wedding ceremony of the couple. There are some light moments. But, if you are not be able to listen and see whatever the film is giving to you, then it will be a problem for you to sit about an hour. Though the flashback story is also going parallel before 20 minutes of interval. No happening is there in the interval moment.

After the interval, first major twist takes place. It was like wow. Songs come in picture. I must tell you that the costumes and sets are very well designed. Each frame is so much colorful. Punjab of now and then, looks beautiful. As well as, Anushka looks so pretty in the flashback story. And the ghost image has been created really well. Yes, then the story has its flow. So much is happening in this portion. You will never think about anything else, just open your heart, see the screen and listen melodious tunes. This is the second half.

The climax is so pure, that I'm 100% that many will loose their command of their bodies towards the seat. I mean, many will not get what it is offering. Mostly the climax would be seen slow-paced and long. But, according me, I've never seen such kind of purity in any recent or last year movies. Kudos to the last twist! Anushka is superb. As usual. As a producer too. Diljit Dosanjh is superb, he is my idol. Suraj Sharma perfectly plays his role. He can make the people laugh whenever required. Anu is also fine. Supporting cast is also good. The actor who plays the role of Shashi's brother is very good. We have seen him in Udta. Here, I like his role very much, especially, in that scene when he reads the letter and starts crying.

Music is perfect for the film. Sahiba, Dumb Dumb kind of songs are test cricket songs, which will last long. Lyrics are also containing same purity which the film offers.

Director Anshai is very well. I think, this is the debut. And I would definitely love to watch more.

Somehow, this film will not run at B.O. But, who will go to the theater to watch this, will come out with a great satisfaction of viewing or witnessing a new concept or an unusual story. Anvita Dutt and Anushka Sharma deserve a good amount of appreciation. Kudos!