Be Happy Review: Abhishek Bachchan Gives An Award-Winning Performance In This Groovy Yet Very Emotional Film

Title: Be Happy

Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Nora Fatehi, Nassar, Inayat Verma

Director: Remo D'Souza

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Ratings: 3.5 Stars

Be Happy Review: Abhishek Bachchan is one of the best actors that we have in the Hindi film industry. Last year, we saw him in Shootjit Sircar's I Want To Talk, and even though it wasn't the filmmaker's best work, Junior Bachchan gave an award winning performance in it. In fact, at a recent award function, we had expected that he would win the Best Actor award, but that didn't happen. Now, his movie, Be Happy, has started streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The film is directed by Remo D'Souza and it also features Inayat Verma, Nora Fatehi, and Nassar. So, will this movie make you happy or just waste your time and make you sad? Read on to know that...

The movie revolves around Shiv (Abhishek Bachchan), a single dad who is staying in Ooty along with his daughter Dhara (Inayat Verma) and father-in-law, Nadar (Nassar). Dhara's dream is to become a dancer and participate in India's Superstar Dancer. Her inspiration is Maggie (Nora Fatehi) who is a dancer and has her own dance school. Dhara wins a dance competition in her school and Maggie invites her to come to Mumbai and be a part of her dance school, so she can prepare her to participate in India's Superstar Dancer. Shiv and Dhara shift to Mumbai, and while you will feel that this is just a dance-based movie revolving around a father and daughter, Be Happy throws a big twist at you that will leave you shocked.

Be Happy is written and directed by Remo D'Souza, and the screenplay is co-written by Tushar Hiranandani. The movie starts on an average note, and for the first 45 minutes you might feel that this is just a routine dance movie about a kid's dream to make it big and how her father will help her. But, once the movie shifts to Mumbai, it goes a notch higher impressing us a lot.

This is clearly one of the best works of Remo. The movie will make you smile, dance, and even cry (a lot). It is a Remo D'Souza directorial, so we knew that the dance in Be Happy is going to be amazing. But, the filmmaker has got the perfect amount of emotional quotient which surely makes this one stand out from his earlier directorials.

There's a dance sequence featuring Abhishek and Inayat (we get a small glimpse in the trailer), and it has been shot wonderfully. The character of Abhishek is a non-dancer, so when he comes on stage he doesn't start dancing like WOW, he dances with his flaws and that's a detail which impresses us a lot. It showcases what a father can do for his daughter.

Though the movie is titled Be Happy, the last 45 minutes are going to be an emotional roller coaster. So, keep tissues handy. While the film has got an OTT release, throughout we felt that it deserved a theatrical release because the way dance sequences have been shot and choreographed, it required the big screen experience.

Be Happy Review - Actors' Performances

Talking about performances, Abhishek Bachchan has once again given an award winning performance in Be Happy. He has nailed it as a father who can do everything and anything to fulfil his daughter's wish. (A small spoiler) Remember there was a Jathara dance sequence in Pushpa 2; there's a similar kind of a Ganpati dance sequence here, and OH MY GOD, Abhishek has done an exceptional job in that sequence. It will give you goosebumps.

Inayat Verma is undoubtedly one of the best child actors we have in the industry right now. From Ludo to Ajeeb Daastaans to Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, this little girl has impressed us with her performances in all her films. In Be Happy, she once again proves that she is super talented. Nora Fatehi's dance moves always grab our attention, but this film gives her a chance to showcase her acting talent as well. Also, her chemistry with Abhishek is quite good.

Nassar as the grandfather of Dhara will surely steal your hearts with his antics and he has done the emotional scenes very well. Harleen Sethi in her special appearance leaves a mark, but Johny Lever is wasted.

Be Happy Review - Music

It is a dance based film, so the expectations from the music were quite high. Songs like Sultana, Devi Aayi, and Mere Papa stand out.

Be Happy Review - Final Verdict

Overall, Be Happy is one of the best films of Remo D'Souza and Abhishek Bachchan. It is so good that we felt this should have been a theatrical release. But, of course, now you can watch it on Amazon Prime Video, and keep your dancing shoes as well as a box of tissues handy. 

Published on: Friday, March 14, 2025, 12:01 AM IST