Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba review: Quirky, Dark and Captivating

Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba movie review

Kanika Dhillon’s writing is rooted in is milieu, capturing the essence and vignettes of the city, and providing layered textures to her complex characters. As a quixotic writer, she shades her protagonists with flaws and frailties, who derive their next course of action from pulp novels written by Panditji, an invisible but omnipotent character in her over-ambitious plot. Jayaprad infuses unpredictability and sustains the rhythm established in the first part. But after an an hour, the narrative loses its momentum and tension. It caves into a slog. A limping house owner (Bhumika Dube) and a snake-catcher become mere pawns and collateral casualties, including the man-eater crocs, serving as Dhillon’s ode to the 1987 Rakesh Roshan’s revenge drama, Khoon Bhari Maang. There is plenty of wishful thinking and plot contrivances, which would urge for a suspension of disbelief from its viewers.

In her fifth collaboration with Kanika, Taapsee straddles seduction and slink, boldness and bizarre. Her Rani is vicious yet vulnerable. At one point, Rishu demeans her stating, “Lekin Tu toh Badchallan hai!” She doesn’t react with any outrage. Both Taapsee and Vikrant not only own their individual spaces like veterans, but they also forge a combustible chemistry. However, my brownie points would go to Sunny playing the mild-mannered compounder and exhibiting charm and confidence, never alluding to his dark past through the façade of his sobriety. Jimmy Shergill caters to a single-note token presence, reminding us of the similar characters he has played previously when his cocksure cop is outplayed by thugs. There is no ‘Gajab’ here, as his Montu exclaims! A talented actor like Aditya Srivastava is criminally relegated to the background.

At one point during his analysis, Monty Chacha compares this case to indigestion. I felt the same. Over-indulgence in twists and turns can prove hazardous. And there are clear indications of another instalment to propel the story.

As long as the pulp oozes juice, it is healthy. I go with 3.5 stars.

Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba is streaming on Netflix from 9th August 2024.

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