Be Happy

This happens when a person from dance field makes a movie, she/he would have cool ideas about the songs but no solid glue to compile those songs / song situation into one good story. Last ~15 minutes are truly beautiful and heartwarming, but rest of the movie feels dull. It lacks emotional appeal. For such movies to work, it requires a little bit of melodrama. But this movie runs pretty flat. Performances from main leads of three generations are very good, but story and director is not energetic, appealing and it lacks novelty. Inayat Verma's character is well developed, but despite having potential, Abhishek didn't get enought chance to show his talent in father's role. Most of his screen time is consumed in playing the cliches of lonely gloomy widower. Even a one scene would do the job, in which he cries alone for his daughter's pain and talks with his dead wife. This scene too is a cliche, but it still will be more emotional than a gloomy flat face. In somewhat similar space, "the sky is pink" was much more impactful and moving story.

This movie goes a long way in providing new perspective on father daughter relationship in today's age, where family don't have time to talk to each other forget discussing dreams. Parents plan something for their children and children never have clarity on what they want except mobile. They dream today's world through mobile, not based on reality or inner calling. This movie takes us back to an era of giving importance to family before anything. Acting is good, and dialogue are excellent and to the point. It's good family movie and has message of entire family. Sometimes it is a bit emotional but that is something about originality and purity of father daughter relationship.

I love Bollywood because it evokes emotions in me despite being a foreigner. Almost all mainstream movies that were released after covid lack soul, exception being 12th Fail, Laapata Ladies etc... This movie made me cry, I cared about the characters which rarely happens with recent Hindi movies. The child actor was brilliant, Abhishek was great and the rest of the cast were good as well. Even Though Norah's accent was visible even to me who barely speak Hindi, learning from watching too many Bollywood movies. The story had its flaws, but after watching so many senseless Bollywood movies these past few years like Pathaan or Fighter or Loveyappa (lol don't judge, wanted to see how Amir Khan ka bheta would do in movies and don't let me begin with Nadaniyaan) it was closest to the Bollywood my millennial ass could relate to. Overall I wanted to pass time and watch something with my dinner and being an Abhishek fan I decided on this and I didn't regret it.

Be Happy is a beautiful emotional rollercoaster that surprises you just when you think you have it all figured out. What starts off as a feel-good, lighthearted story gradually pulls you deeper, keeping you wondering"Where's the twist?" And then bam it hits you like a truck, leaving you completely absorbed in the unfolding drama.

The performances are truly commendable, with Abhishek and Inayat delivering top-notch acting that brings the emotional core of the film to life. Their chemistry and depth on screen make you feel every high and low of the narrative.

Given that the film revolves around dance, the choreography had a lot riding on it. While there were two major sequences that stood out brilliantly, it felt like the rest of the performances didn't receive the same level of attention or finesse. A bit more effort in choreographing the supporting dance pieces could have elevated the overall impact.

That said, Be Happy carries a deeper emotional message that lingers long after the credits roll. It's not just a story about dance or dreams it's a story about relationships, love, and emotional strength. Every father should watch this film with his daughter and try not to cry because chances are, he won't succeed.

All in all, Be Happy does a fantastic job of blending emotion, story, and performance leaving you with a film that's both heartwarming and thought-provoking.

Remo D'Souza's Be Happy works considerably better than expected, largely thanks to Abhishek Bachchan's genuinely understated and impressive performance as Shiv, a single father navigating his daughter's dance ambitions. The story of a banker torn between practical concerns and his child's dreams feels authentic rather than manufactured.

Abhishek brings quiet authority and emotional depth to the role, avoiding the theatrical pitfalls that often plague Bollywood father figures. His restraint makes the character's journey genuinely moving.

Inayat Verma as daughter Dhara is talented and engaging, though her confidence occasionally tips into overconfidence, which undermines the emotional vulnerability needed for the third act's deeper moments. A touch more subtlety could have created stronger audience connection.

The film's biggest missed opportunity lies in its Ooty setting. Rather than showcasing the hill station's distinct beauty as a contrast to Mumbai's chaos, D'Souza treats it like any generic location. The cinematography fails to capture Ooty's unique charm, wasting a natural advantage.

Nora Fatehi's dance teacher role feels severely underwritten, and her performance lacks conviction, making her character feel like an afterthought rather than the crucial mentor figure the story requires.

Despite these issues, Be Happy succeeds through its core father-daughter relationship and Abhishek's committed performance.

Rating: 7.5/10 (Abhishek's nuanced work lifts a dance drama that could've been much more visually distinctive)