Happy Ending

Lending quirky touches to a romantic soufflé through its protagonists who are quite similar in their attributes, director duo Raj and DK give a Woody-Allen type verve to the rom-com genre in their latest flick, "Happy Ending". It gives us a feeling of "Been here, seen there" when we encounter the philandering and commitment- phobic writer, Yudi(played by Saif Ali Khan)who just can't say "I love you" to any of his romantic interests, because he feels love comes with a big baggage.

Riding on an ostentatious high in Los Angeles with his success- script which he wrote five and years ago,Yudi is happy with his highly questionable 'single' status, his miserably married Montu(Ranvir Shorey) and the grizzly grumpy alter-ego, Yogi(Saif again, with thick long beard and paunch)who advises philosophy and gives him gyaan. And this is until one fine day , when he collides with the harshest reality - he has virtually gone bankrupt with no financial support to pay his bills. In a desperate move to gain quick bucks, he agrees to write a 'kick-ass' script for a fading Bollywood superstar, Arman-ji(Govinda)whose career is on a downward spiral and he needs a hit badly. To get inspiration, he follows the gorgeous romantic- novel writer Aanchal(Illeana) who brushes off his charms initially only to fall into love.

Right from the start,Raj and DK achieve an instant connect with the audience. Unlike their previous projects (Shor in the city,Go Goa Gone),the setting here is quite urbane - foreign locales,skyscrapers,bright sunny days and the sprightly dialogues that make the mood upbeat. And the best part of the film are its hilarious moments of laughter , specially involving Yudi and Montu when they break into Yudi's ex-Vishaka's(Kalki Koechlin) flat.The romantic built-up meanders through a long drive alongside the scenic beaches, the sun playing razzmatazz with the sea waves which ends up funnily with the couple on bed. However, the second half trespasses into a slog zone ;perhaps the writers wanted to try too much of their sensibilities to make it more palatable by offering us the routine slow music numbers, the lovers' conflicts and a conventional climactic airport scene.

What certainly works here is the rehash of the characters that Saif Ali Khan has already played. Reprising the same uber-cool, urbane and metro-sexual ,self-conflicted lover, he gives Yudi an endearing touch and the ingenious charm which is his forte. At the same time, the actor must contemplate about re-inventing himself before being typecast.Govinda puts forth a delicious Bollywood narcissist who throws up some real gems and you get a moment of 'aww' when he goes shirtless to show his newly developed abs.Ranvir Shorey, in his typical straight-faced avatar, is the staple source of all humor that goes as a credit for the movie.Kalki impresses with her psycho- stalker syndrome and its her uninhibited self which makes the character interesting.Illeana's looks sweet but her character comes across as a fluffy one without much of depth.Preity Zinta as Yudi's 2AM friend has an extended cameo and you might get a pang of the yesteryear Salaam Namaste!

On the whole, Happy Ending is a breezy feel-good entertainer. It starts happily and ends happily. And as the writer says, "Dont Analyze Love, just live the moment", it calls for a momentous indulgence with modern-day relationships.

After GO GOA GONE, the director duo - Raj & DK is one of my favorites. Their films have everything that the youth can enjoy - ROMANCE, COMEDY, NAUTANKI, EMOTIONAL DIALOGUE, SUPERB SOUNDTRACK, EXTRAORDINARY LOCATIONS, DOUBLE MEANING JOKES & LOL/ROFL MOMENTS. This film is better than the previous that I don't know, but, it's surely enjoyable with LOL. Saif Ali Khan is perfectly suitable for these kind of roles. His long hair, his shorts, designed T shirt, cool sun glasses & macho body. Ileana D'Cruz looks sexy in some dresses. But allover looks okay but acts well. Kalki is unbearable for some of the boys in the audience. She has a small role. Kareena & Priety have a special guest appearance. While I liked the role of Priety. Ranveer Shaurey is damn funny as always. But the main reasons to LOL in H.E. is Govinda. He is too funny. Me & my friend could not be able to control ourselves while laughing out loudly. Sachin-Jigar has given a marvelous soundtrack. ALL the songs are catchy. Dialogues by Hussain Dalal are fine. But, it could be better than these. Screenplay is good as well. Some portions has to be little bit faster than the actual. Raj & DK's direction in their second film is outstanding. Some scenes may able to open your eyes as well as mouth saying Wow. Locations are of to mark. Salute to the DOP. On the whole, who loved Go Goa Gone, just go for it. Those who didn't like GGG, just watch Dabang2 type movies. I don't know about any other RJ or critic's ratings, but, as per my enjoyments, I am giving 8*/10*.

Direction by Director duo Mr. Raj and Mr. Krishna, is good. There is nothing in the name of story written by director themselves. Yes love stories have rarely something new to offer but this one has literally nothing. Dialogues by Hussain Dalal are witty. Screenplay is OK. Few scenes are quite good and innovative. Like, the scene when both lead ask for lift on roadside is routine but the way they have improvised and presented made it fresh and innovative. The bed scene in hotel started with common note of extra room not available type of lame excuse but then ended with a very fresh and entertaining way. The restaurant scene started with a common way but ended on a cute note of both had poured water on each other. Screenplay is actually in bits and pieces. Sometimes you enjoy the movie but then it bores you too mostly. This boredom comes due to absence of story too. Interval is just because they had to divide the film in two part otherwise it was not required at all. The filmy stardom satire through Govinda's character was not so apt. Performance wise Saif Ali Khan is perfect in his comfort zone. Ileana D Cruz is fine. Kalki is a good actress but nothing was her to perform then also she is good. Govinda and Ranvir Shorey are OK. Music by Sachin Jiagar is good. " Pajji tussi such a pussy cat" is foot tapping and "Jaise Mera Tu" is melodious.

Can't believe this film has only 5.7 rating on IMDb and 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. It's such a good film. In this film the character of Saif is a writer and he's trying to write a romantic comedy, the film is exactly what he's writing - a making of Rom - Com, also it's a spoof comedy. Like all the other films of Raj & DK it's also fully entertaining.

After Dil Chahta Hai I think this is the best performance of Saif in a comic role. Ranvir Shorey has some of the best lines in the film. And above all Govinda in special appearance is the cherry on the cake. In every Raj & DK project Sachin - Jigar always create some music which stay with us.

Though it's more Comedy and less romance it's A Perfect Rom-Com for me.

Available on JioCinema, ZEE5, Eros Now & AirtelXtream.

© MandalBros.

After the dull Go Goa Gone, Writer-Director Duo Raj Nidimoru & Krishna D. K, churn out a rather predictable film with 'Happy Ending. The Storytelling, The Treatment & The Exeuction, offer no novelty at all. A Been-There-Seen-That Rom-Com!

'Happy Ending' Synopsis: A once-successful author finds his life on the edge, until a fellow-writer inspires him to write again.

'Happy Ending' lacks the wit & energy, besides it being shamelessly predictable. The central protagonists portrayed by Saif Ali Khan & Ileana D'Cruz (both looking tired & bored) aren't romantics by nature & that's the prime reason why the on-screen chemistry between the two doesn't work.

But not all's bad in here, 'Happy Ending' redeems itself to some extend, by giving us some deliciously entertaining supporting characters. Govinda, as a fading film star, hits all the right notes, despite being reduced into a brief cameo. Ranvir Shorey, as Saif's best-friend, who's petrified of his wife, brings the house down. He's hilarious! Kalki Koechlin, as Saif's stalker girlfriend, however, steals the show with a terrific performance. Her scenes are the high-point of the enterprise. Sadly, there isn't much of her!

On the whole, 'Happy Ending' is a letdown.