Three years ago, I found myself unexpectedly captivated by Netflix’s Haseen Dillruba, despite not being particularly fond of romantic crime thrillers. The film was well-crafted, layered, and provided an enjoyable experience. Consequently, when the sequel, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, was announced, I eagerly prepared with popcorn and soda, hopeful for another exciting journey. However, the sequel has proven to be a letdown, resembling more of a cash grab than a thoughtful continuation of the original story.
In the first installment, Vikrant Massey’s character, Rishabh, had performed a shocking act by cutting off his own hand and faking his death to protect his unfaithful wife, Rani (Taapsee Pannu), from imprisonment for murdering her former lover. This dramatic conclusion could have set a perfect stage for a sequel rich in depth, but Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba instead suffers from slow pacing, an overextended screenplay, awkward dialogue, an implausible plot, and lacks a compelling hook to engage viewers.
The film begins in Agra, where Rani has taken up work as a makeup artist, while Rishabh hides in disguise, planning their escape abroad for a fresh start. With the Uttar Pradesh police still investigating the case, the couple engages in secretive meetings and covert phone calls, reminiscent of high school sweethearts in a forbidden romance.
True to form, they continue to communicate in the peculiar language of Dinesh Pandit, the crime novelist whose works previously provided them with an escape plan. Their artistic expressions, painting quotes from his novels on various surfaces to send each other messages, add a quirky touch, showcasing the couple’s madness that had captured audiences in the first film.
Adding to the dynamics is a new character, Abhimanyu, a medical compounder smitten with Rani, echoing Rishabh’s earlier relationship phase. Clueless about her unconventional past and the danger posed by her husband, Abhimanyu’s character, while well-acted by Sunny Kaushal during select scenes, ultimately feels underdeveloped.
Similar shortcomings befall the main characters, including Pannu and Massey, as well as Jimmy Shergill’s role as Monty. The diminished opportunity for character exploration, a strong aspect of the first film, renders the talented ensemble underutilized and their performances lack the depth required to resonate with the audience.
In one scene, Shergill’s cop character oddly compares the case to “indigestion” when speaking to his superior. While creative dialogue can enhance a script, such misplaced lines detract from the film’s serious tone. His sporadic appearances often feel overly dramatic rather than conveying the sorrow of a grieving uncle.
Furthermore, the film’s plot is riddled with irrationality, often progressing simply because the narrative demands it. While some inconsistent moments could be attributed to coincidence, the reliance on convenience undermines the believability. Events unfold in a far-fetched manner, with characters forming relationships, getting married, and enjoying leisure activities in a matter of days while encountering impossibly coincidental situations.
On the positive side, the film excels in visual storytelling, incorporating clever metaphors and poetic elements, particularly Rani’s hand-shaped phone stand. Additionally, the inclusion of Rishi Kapoor’s “Ek Haseena Thi” from the classic film Karz adds an intriguing layer of thematic resonance, though it’s insufficient to sustain the film’s overall appeal.
Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba struggles to generate the intrigue found in suspenseful thrillers. Its twists often lack the element of surprise, and the storyline fails to maintain suspenseful tension. Given the characters’ evolution towards cynicism in the original film, deeper exploration was essential, yet the sequel merely skims the surface, lacking emotional resonance. Despite the characters’ desperate attempts to convey their turmoil, the film fails to evoke empathy, in stark contrast to its predecessor.
The only incentive to sit through this two-hour ordeal is the faint glimmer of nostalgia from the original film. Such moments do surface occasionally but serve merely as teases of what could have been had the sequel matched the first’s brilliance. New viewers to Rani and Rishu’s convoluted love story might overlook these flaws, but fans of the original may find the sequel’s shortcomings difficult to overlook.
Rating: 6/10
