Happy Ending – A comedy about romantic comedies

Review by: Shambhu Sahu

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Ileana D'Cruz, Kalki Koechlin, Ranvir Shorey, Govinda, and others.
Directors: Krishna D.K. and Raj Nidimoru

Saif Ali Khan has carved a niche for himself as an actor by often playing metrosexual, confused/commitment-phobic lover on screen (Langda Tyagi of “Omkara” notwithstanding). Also, with his kind of desi “rom-coms” like “Love Aaj Kal” (2009) and “Cocktail” (2012), both fairly successful, he has created a space for himself in the crowded multiplex cinema. “Happy Ending” -- directed by Krishna D.K. and Raj Nidimoru of “Go Goa Gone” ‘fame’ -- is his latest offering in the same space.

Saif and Ileana play the leads

Saif plays a flamboyant, flirtatious but commitment-phobic author Yudi Jaitley. He ‘survives’ as a bachelor even after 8_1/2 girlfriends as he runs away from his girl the moment she says: I Love You! Why? Because he believes love leads to marriage and marriage, just like life, has no happy ending. But he fails to have a “clean” break up with Vishakha (Kalki), his dentist & “half girlfriend”. Meanwhile, Yudi is busy doing nothing as his got all that a man needs - “name, fame and girls”, courtesy his “bestseller” book ‘Operation Payback’. 

However, that book was published 5_1/2 years back, and he has “not written a word” since. So, the publisher cancels his contract and instead signs up Aanchal Reddy (Ileana), a budding chick lit writer, for big bucks. And since chick lit “sell well”, she dethrones the “one-book-wonder” Yudi, who is broke. He is forced to take up script writing for “single-screen ka superstar” Armaan ji (Govinda) who wants to star in a Bollywood masala film that works in multiplexes as well. As Yudi begins to write, he runs into his “inspiration” Aanchal. He is intrigued by her practical approach to work and life and seeks to woo her. She, in turn, is benefited by him as her “guide, philosopher, and senior”. The sparks begin to fly but there is one problem: Aanchal – just like Yudi – is also allergic to commitment. So, will Yudi himself say I Love You to her? If he does, will she run away this time? The film ends with the message that a Happy Ending is not necessary and you can live each day as it come.  

Ranvir, Kalki and Govinda in Happy Ending  

The film is a comical take on romantic comedies (romcoms) and has many smart onliners like “Oops baby”, “Kitna bhi hatke likh lo, log baith ke hi (movie) dekhne wale hai”, “Q: Ye relationship kahan ja rahi hai? A: Kahin kyun jana hai?”, etc. They keep you interested in the movie despite its sluggish pace. Govinda and Ranvir Shorey, who plays Montu, Yudi’s best friend and a ‘bechara’ pati (husband), standout with their fine performances. In fact, they deliver a major chunk of “com” in the films, along with Saif, of course. There’s more – a double role by Saif (as Yudi’s alter ego and guide - almost a usual feature in Saif’s romcoms), Kalki, and a cameo by Preity Zinta and Kareena Khan Kapoor. It has its moments but it’s no “Love Aaj Kal” or “Cocktail” which were much better desi romcoms. It lacks pace; and even if you discount expecting a “happy ending”, there is no great story. Music too is just okay.

So, a “Happy Ending” is actually not necessary – neither in life nor in “theatres”. So, if you missed in on big screen don’t worry. It will be on TV soon. Isn’t that a Happy Ending?

***Ends***