I am not Indian, I just love Bollywood movies. I saw this in Washington DC Feb. 10. Hasee Toh Phasee was one of the very best Bollywood movies I've ever seen (I saw over 50 last year, so I have something to compare!). First, the writer, Harshavardhan Kulkarni, and the director, Vinil Mathews, seem to be new to the industry. It shows—they have created something fresh and different. You can tell the same story a million different ways; it's HOW you tell the story that's important, and they did an excellent job. I hope they keep it up!
However, it's clear that this is Parineeti's movie. She shines from beginning to end. She disappears into the role, and like her cousin Priyanka, she is not afraid to portray a character who is less than glamorous. Maybe Priyanka gave her some advice? In any case, she is absolutely brilliant, especially in the comic moments in the first half. The whole audience was laughing over and over. Her timing, her expressions, it was all just perfect. She is a wonderful comic actress, and I hope she does many more comedies--or at least roles with some humor in them, like this one. I have seen all Parineeti's movies so far, and in each one she is better than the last. She has chosen her parts wisely--each time she plays a strong female character who is the centre of the movie. If she is as smart as I think she is, she will continue to do this. (But can Parineeti resist the glamour of being a star? Can she keep her feet on the ground and be the sweet, modest person she appears to be? I hope so!)
Sexiest scene of any movie—anywhere—in the last several years? No contest. Siddharth tying the strings of her bare-backed dress. Understated, subtle, but unbelievably powerful and sexy. Whoever had this idea--director, writer, Parineeti, Siddharth, whoever, deserves a special award.
Siddharth Malhotra was very good as the straight man, always a hard role in a comedy. The surrounding cast was also excellent. This is not always the case in Bollywood movies since most of them go for exaggerated slapstick humor or melodramatic emotion. Here things were kept in check and seemed realistic and natural.
This is a movie I'll watch again and again. I have no doubt that this will become a classic.
However, it's clear that this is Parineeti's movie. She shines from beginning to end. She disappears into the role, and like her cousin Priyanka, she is not afraid to portray a character who is less than glamorous. Maybe Priyanka gave her some advice? In any case, she is absolutely brilliant, especially in the comic moments in the first half. The whole audience was laughing over and over. Her timing, her expressions, it was all just perfect. She is a wonderful comic actress, and I hope she does many more comedies--or at least roles with some humor in them, like this one. I have seen all Parineeti's movies so far, and in each one she is better than the last. She has chosen her parts wisely--each time she plays a strong female character who is the centre of the movie. If she is as smart as I think she is, she will continue to do this. (But can Parineeti resist the glamour of being a star? Can she keep her feet on the ground and be the sweet, modest person she appears to be? I hope so!)
Sexiest scene of any movie—anywhere—in the last several years? No contest. Siddharth tying the strings of her bare-backed dress. Understated, subtle, but unbelievably powerful and sexy. Whoever had this idea--director, writer, Parineeti, Siddharth, whoever, deserves a special award.
Siddharth Malhotra was very good as the straight man, always a hard role in a comedy. The surrounding cast was also excellent. This is not always the case in Bollywood movies since most of them go for exaggerated slapstick humor or melodramatic emotion. Here things were kept in check and seemed realistic and natural.
This is a movie I'll watch again and again. I have no doubt that this will become a classic.