Be Happy Story: Dhara (Inayat Verma), along with her father Shiv (Abhishek Bachchan) and her maternal grandfather Mr. Nadir (Nassar), resides in a northern Indian state. Dhara is an exceptionally talented young girl with a passion for dance. Her life takes a turn when Maggie (Nora Fatehi), a renowned pop dancer, visits her school, observes her performance, and extends an invitation for her to join a prestigious dance academy in Bombay. Although initially opposed to the idea, Shiv eventually relents and takes her to the vibrant city, where her aspirations appear to be on the verge of realization—until fate intervenes. Will Dhara emerge victorious in the dance competition? What challenges and opportunities lie ahead for her?

Be Happy Review:

While it is perfectly acceptable to narrate stories that focus on a tragic illness with emotional resonance, there is a limit to how much an audience can engage if that aspect is the film's only appeal. For instance, in the film Anand, the protagonist's struggle was not the sole element propelling the narrative, and similarly, Abhishek Bachchan's character in I Want To Talk was not defined solely by his various health challenges. Rather, it was his overarching fight for survival that shaped the essence of the film, transcending his medical conditions.

Therefore, when a film presents a young girl facing a life-threatening illness as the central theme, it cannot merely expect viewers to respond with tears on command. Be Happy falls into this pitfall, seeking to evoke emotional responses without providing sufficient depth for genuine audience investment.

Authored by Remo D'Souza in collaboration with Tushar Hiranandani, Kanishka Singh Deo, and Chirag Garg, Be Happy presents a narrative that has been explored many times before. While revisiting established themes can be worthwhile, the true enchantment lies in the originality of the retelling. What distinctive elements do you introduce that make this narrative your own? This is the crux of the matter. Regrettably, Be Happy fails to offer anything innovative. In the meantime, Manoj Bajpayee’s Bhaiyya Ji is set to premiere tomorrow, alongside a review of some of his notable short films, from Taandav to Ouch.

The film adheres to a conventional storyline: a young girl with ambitious aspirations, a single father striving to provide for his family while fulfilling dual parental roles, and a grandfather who injects humor into the serious atmosphere created by the father. This setup has appeared in numerous films over the years, but what distinguishes this particular rendition?

Some may contend that the subplot involving a dance competition, led by Dhara, introduces a novel element. However, even this feature falls short of expectations. For a film helmed by an experienced dancer-choreographer, it ranks among the most uninspired musical dramas in Hindi cinema. It neglects the two fundamental components of its genre—music and drama. If the dance competition, which is central to the narrative, is merely presented through montages, and if the dancers perform to uninspired tracks rather than well-composed songs, how can we truly engage with the story?

The music does not leave a significant impression, with the exception of an emotional piece by Kailash Kher, which stands out as the sole track that truly resonates. The introduction of Dhara’s medical condition into the storyline occurs so abruptly that it fails to create a genuine emotional impact. This narrative device has been employed numerous times before, and it does not consistently succeed in eliciting the desired feelings. At times, it appears to be a contrived effort to manipulate the audience rather than a natural element of the story.

Abhishek Bachchan now effortlessly embodies the role of an on-screen father. Following his outstanding performance in Shoojit Sircar’s I Want To Talk, he executes his role here to the best of his abilities and excels. Inayat Verma proves to be a valuable addition, while Nassar brings considerable joy to the film.

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Nora Fatehi makes a brief appearance, performs a dance, delivers a few lines, and then exits. The same can be said for Johnny Lever, whose role in the film raises questions similar to those surrounding Pluto’s classification as a planet. Casting such a legendary figure in a role of minimal significance feels like a missed opportunity.

Be Happy Final Verdict:

Be Happy opts to forgo the two essential components of a musical drama—music and drama. This choice is unexpected for a film featuring Abhishek Bachchan, especially following his performance in I Want To Talk, yet he proceeded with it.

Be Happy will be available on Amazon Prime Video starting March 14, 2025. For further updates on this release and other news from the streaming and film industry, please follow OTTplay.

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