Happy Bhag Jayegi Review: Love your neighbour

In Amritsar, Happy (Diana Penty) is getting married to the local corporator Daman Singh Bagga (Jimmy Shergill). On the other hand, Pakistani ex-governor, Javed Ahmed (Javed Khan) and his son Bilal Ahmed (Abhay Deol) are attending a conference in India.An Amritsari strongman and local corporator Daman Singh Bagga (Jimmy Shergill) is paying his tribute to Sunny Deol by dancing to ‘Yaara O Yaara’ when his would-be wife Harpreet aka Happy (Diana Penty) goes missing.

She lands up in Lahore, in the house of Bilal Ahmed (Abhay Deol), a reluctant politician. Fearing a political storm over keeping an Indian with him, Bilal tries to hide Happy’s presence from the local media. But his plans take a wild turn when some Indians cross the border in search of Happy.

Happy Bhag Jayegi is a light-hearted comedy where actors don’t go overboard. They take liberties to be funny, but understand the gravity of the situation. For example, Bilal, who wanted to be a cricketer, was forced into politics by his father. But he is a smart enough to exploit the situation in his favour, if need be. In one scene, Bilal makes his father believe that the girl he has seen is his late wife’s soul.

There are other laughter-worthy instances. Bagga, who walks with an army of henchmen, downplays it once inside Pakistan. Ali Fazal’s Guddu and Piyush Mishra’s Usman Afridi add more to the drama.

You may find some scenes repeated, or ‘inspired’ from other films, but Happy Bhag Jayegi has a funny tone to it.

The whole idea of the film seems far-fetched initially, but the build-up to the climax washes all our doubts away.

Diana Penty is the cohesive force behind Happy Bhag Jayegi. Abhay Deol’s return to form ensures you keep laughing for more than two hours. Jimmy Shergill continues from where he left in Tanu Weds Manu Returns, and with more fervour. Pakistani actor Momal Sheikh as Bilal’s fiancée is a revelation.

Overall, director Mudassar Aziz’s film is a good watch. The supply of situational comedy won’t end till you leave the theatre.

Will Happy and Guddu’s love story have a happy ending? Is Bilal too in the race to win Happy’s heart is what you have to find out!

Star Cast: Diana Penty, Abhay Deol, Ali Fazal, Jimmy Shergill, Piyush Mishra, Kanwaljit Singh, Momal Sheikh

Director: Mudassar Aziz

What’s Good: This film’s soul lies in its dialogues and the comic relief instilled in them. A clever writing holds this film together.

What’s Bad: With too many sub-plots, the film’s second half seems stretched.

Loo Break: Sometime in the second half!

Watch or Not?: Surprisingly, Happy Bhag Jayegi is watchable. The film’s comic elements and act keep you entertained. This could easily be a ‘Happy’ family watch.