Written by Kanika Dhillon and directed by Jayprad Desai, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba is the follow-up to the 2021 noir thriller Hasseen Dillruba, which was one of Netflix India’s most-watched originals that year.
The sequel picks up with Rani and Rishabh, now living separate lives under new identities after Neel’s murder. They secretly meet, hoping to escape the country and find their happily ever after. However, their plans hit a roadblock when Neel’s uncle Montu, a police officer, reopens the investigation into Neel’s death.
Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba dives into a web of lies, deception, and unexpected twists.
Much like the first film, the sequel jumps between past and present timelines. It starts on an engaging note, drawing viewers into its world. The intermission delivers a surprising twist. Unfortunately, just like its predecessor, the second half loses steam.
The plot takes too many liberties, and the numerous twists end up complicating the narrative rather than enhancing it. The evolving relationships between characters also feel forced and unconvincing.
On a positive note, the performances stand out. Taapsee Pannu once again shines and looks stunning on screen. Vikrant Massey adds to the chaos effectively, while Sunny Kaushal delivers a surprising performance. Jimmy Shergill and Aditya Srivastava are let down by weak writing.
Overall, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba falls short of expectations. The first part had a mixed reception—not everyone liked it, but it did have its share of fans.
Its success on Netflix was largely due to the limited OTT content available from India at the time and the novelty of streaming platforms. Now, with a flood of content and numerous OTT options, it remains to be seen if the sequel can capture the same attention on Netflix.
