BOTTOM LINE
Less Dance, More Sentiment
PLATFORM
AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
RUNTIME
2 hours and 8 minutes
What Is the Film About?
Shiv Rastogi, a single parent and Ooty bank employee is hesitant to support his daughter Dhara’s dancing aspirations. Persuaded by his father-in-law, Nadar, Shiv reluctantly relocates to Mumbai, hoping to nurture Dhara’s dreams. Dhara’s association with a dance instructor Maggi helps her secure a spot on a popular reality show. However, their journey takes an unexpected turn with a shocking discovery.
Performances
Abhishek Bachchan is quite impressive in a role tailored to his strengths. Yet, one wonders if he’s restricting himself to a comfort zone with his restrained performances that don’t extensively test his mettle. However, veteran Nasser has a joyous screen presence and successfully makes his portrayal likable with all the child-like qualities (without appearing caricaturish).
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Analysis
For a dance film aspiring to explore relationships, grief, and hope with depth, Be Happy is a deceptively simple title. What remains surprising is its unpredictable narrative, organically shifting tones while infusing universal themes with a personalised approach. The film’s conviction in its old-fashioned storytelling is both its strength and weakness.
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Be Happy aims to be a simple, feel-good tearjerker that tugs at your heartstrings, but often settles for simplistic tropes. While the screenplay is imaginative, the core idea feels overly basic, relying on clichés prevalent in father-daughter dramas and child prodigy dance films. Unlike Abhishek Bachchan’s I Want To Talk (which also dealt with grief), the sentimentality here is an issue.
The hill-station setting in Ooty, where Shiv, his daughter Dhara, and father-in-law Nadar lead a quiet life, draws you into the film with ease. Both men, though stubborn, are refreshingly gentle and go to any extent to ensure Dhara’s well-being. Dhara, the youngest and only girl in the house, is smitten by dance and pushes her father to further her dancing pursuits, which he reluctantly agrees to.
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The father-daughter duo’s uncomfortable transition from a hill station to a big, bad city is captured effectively. Director Remo D’Souza doesn’t make this only about dance. We see 10-year-olds comfortably discussing divorce, referring to their stepmothers/stepfathers as ‘mommy 2.0’ and ‘daddy 2.0.’ While Dhara chases her true love, dance, Shiv tries to find a companion through a dating app.
However, the idea of weaving a romantic connection between Shiv and Dhara’s dance teacher Maggi is slightly old-fashioned and unnecessary. There’s an eccentric security guard in the apartment who wishes well for the child. Nadar, the grandpa is typically the old ‘cool’ man who acts like a child in the girl’s presence and provides her warmth directly (unlike Shiv, who’s stuck in a shell).
Though one expects the film to be about Dhara’s endeavours, success in a dance reality show besides offering glimpses of Shiv’s personal journey – the film treads a different path with an old-fashioned twist. Shiv and Nadar’s sensitive side comes to the fore in testing times and they rise to the occasion to ensure Dhara’s well-being. The girl’s mature response to the situation brings a newness to the storytelling.
After the film shifts to Mumbai, its treatment is formulaic (rather than organic), consistently alternating between the drama on and off the stage. One wishes the director had pushed the bar further by commenting on the challenges faced by kids on reality shows who experience drastic highs and lows in a short time. The film gets better in the phase where Shiv is asked to dance with his daughter.
As the drama-heavy tone takes over soon, the grim treatment with ‘bhaari’ dialogues doesn’t help the film’s cause. Despite the conventional choices that Remo D’Souza opts for, it’s a miracle that Be Happy still remains engaging. The sincere performances, music and terrific dance choreography go a long way in lending authenticity to the backdrop.
Be Happy is an easy one-time watch on OTT, though don’t expect fireworks.
Performances by Others Actors
The film’s surprises come from the girls: child artist Inayat Verma, whose portrayal of Dhara brims with honesty and is full of life, and Nora Fatehi, who makes a strong impression as a performer (while also tapping into her skill set as a dancer). Harleen Sethi, who makes a brief appearance, has a warm persona. Veteran Johnny Lever is charming as ever, and child artist Sanchit Chananana is a great find.
Music and Other Departments?
Harsh Upadhyay’s music—with a superb score and songs that have energy, spirit, and soul—is undoubtedly a crucial factor in retaining the film’s soul despite the bumps in the narrative. Vijay Kumar Arora’s cinematography is captivating in a film shot amidst select backdrops. For greater impact, the film could’ve benefited from a shorter runtime.
Highlights?
Sincerity in the execution
Good performances
Remains reasonably engaging
Drawbacks?
Takes many safe choices
Relies on tropes from popular dance films
Lengthy runtime for the subject
Did I Enjoy It?
In parts, yes
Will You Recommend It?
If you are in the mood to watch a timepass dance film
Be Happy Movie Review byM9
