2014 Indian film
Hasee Toh Phasee (English: She Smiles, She's Snared!) is a romantic comedy Hindi film directed by Vinil Mathew and produced by Karan Johar and Anurag Kashyap. The film features Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra in the lead roles.[4]<The film released on February 7, 2014, along with three other Bollywood films- Heartless, Ya Rab and Babloo Happy Hai, to positive reviews.[5][6][4][7]
Plot
Nikhil (Sidharth Malhotra) is a struggling businessman whose girlfriend Karishma (Adah Sharma) is an actress. Nikhil is a guy who believes once you are committed to a girl, there should be no straying. He is the guy every girl would love to have. Karishma asks Nikhil to arrange ₹ 5 crores before marriage, which is 7 days later to earn a contract. In mean time Nikhil meets Meeta (Parineeti Chopra), Karishma’s younger sister, with whom he had a brief encounter 7 years ago. Meeta, who is an IITian in chemical engineering, is super intelligent geek, who ran away 7 years ago to China after stealing money from her own father, leading to his heart attack. Now just a week before Nikhil and Karishma's wedding Meeta turned up to meet her father but Karishma scared that this will ruin their wedding, assign Nikhil to keep Meeta away from her father (Manoj Joshi). During their 7 days of encounter Nikhil and Meeta generate feelings for each other but backs off as he doesn't want to betray Karishma. Meanwhile, Nihkil comes to know that for her research Meeta has taken a heavy load from a Chinese investor by forging her father's signature and deadline for payback is in three days. Nikhil helps Meeta to hack her father's account but also convince her to apologies to her family. Meeta reunites with her family as her father forgives her and instead of stealing Meeta asks money from her father. On the wedding day Nikhil realizes that he is in love with Meeta and runs away from the wedding ceremony only to find Meeta standing outside. Both kisses and express their love to each other. Movie ends with Nikhil and Meeta traveling to Germany, while at the airport Meeta tells him that there is another problem waiting for them.
Production
Development
Karan Johar's production house Dharma Productions is financing this film along with Phantom Productions, which is run by four filmmakers - Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vikas Bahl and Madhu Mantena.[8]Parineeti Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra promoted the movie on many reality shows such as Bigg Boss, Nach Baliye and Dance India Dance. Malhotra also launched the Hasee Toh Phasee fan club.
Casting
Anurag Kashyap, who is very excited about this project, said, "The story works with fresh faces, but requires a high level of chemistry and maturity in the performances. After spending months shortlisting various actors, we finalised Sidharth and Parineeti."[8] Reportedly, Adah Sharma is playing the second female lead in the movie and the sister of the film's female protagonist.[9] To capture the seven-year period covered in the film, Vinil Matthew wanted Parineeti Chopra to have different hairstyles.[10]
Filming
Filming began on April 18, 2013.[11] On talking about the director Vinil Mathew, Sidharth Malhotra, who would be cast as a middle class working man in the film, said, "It didn't feel like the first day of shoot because he is so sorted and knows exactly what he wants. He made us rehearse a lot during a two month workshop before shooting began". In an Interview Siddharth says, he plays a character who is stressed out, lost and sentimental. He meets a girl who is a bit cracked.[12] Actress Parineeti Chopra reported that her character was a quite difficult one. It is the first collaboration for both the protagonists with each other, but however, none complained and instead, both were praising each other to be energetic and tireless.[11] The fact that actress Adah Sharma was also involved in the cast as one of the lead characters was supposed to be kept a secret as the producers wanted to make an official announcement about it. But it was later revealed as Adah was seen shooting for the film at the Bandra Bandstand Promenade.[13]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of the film is given by Vishal-Shekhar while the lyrics are written by Kumaar & Amitabh Bhattacharya. A single called Drama Queen sung by Vishal Dadlani and Shreya Ghoshal was launched. The song Zehnaseeb sung by Chinmayi Sripada along with Shekhar Ravjiani was launched on 2 January, 2014.
The jukebox of all songs from the film was leaked on the internet before the official release. Altogether there are six tracks with various artists contributors.
Reception
The soundtrack received positive reviews from critics. Rediff gave it 3.5/5 stars and stated, "The music of Hasee Toh Phasee delivers more than it promised at the outset. One expected just a fun-filled score, but Vishal-Shekhar have gone beyond that to bring us some soulful melodies as well."[14] Koimoi giving the same ratings added, "If you can’t applaud this music album for technique and creativity, sheer freshness will do the trick for you. From a peppy Wedding Song to the calming Manchala, music-director duo Vishal and Shekhar strike the right chords. Moreover, lyrics by Rakesh Kumaar and Amitabh Bhattacharyya add the right ingredients to make the scores of Hasee Toh Phasee worth listening to more than a single time."[15]
Critical Reception
The movie received mostly positive reviews from critics who praised the performance of the lead cast, the music and the humour content. Meena Iyer of times of India gave it 4/5 stars, stating, "Hasee Toh Phasee is for the romantics who like their martinis stirred not shaken. This romantic comedy mirrors the quirks in human nature subtly and provides humour in everyday situations; in the family and amongst friends. If you're looking to rediscover the magic of goofy love around Valentines, give HTP a shot."[16] Taran Adarsh of Hollywood Hungama gave it 3.5/5 stars and opined,"Hasee Toh Phasee dares to be distinctive. This one's *not* merely about opposites falling in love. This one's a quirky love tale involving two individuals, shades different from the mundane stuff on matters of heart. On the whole, Hasee Toh Phasee is a bright-and-breezy, charming and refreshing rom-com that makes you smile, laugh and gets you moist-eyed at regular intervals. A qualitative film that warms the cockles of your heart. Go for it!".[17] Sukanya Verma of Rediff awarded the movie with same ratings and noted, "Hasee Toh Phasee is that rare film that allows you to know the two people you’re investing in. And the closer you get, the more they win you over. Parineeti sinks her teeth into this misunderstood kook without a trace of self-consciousness or exaggeration. If that’s not magical enough, what Hasee Toh Phasee celebrates certainly is. That the only high you need is life, love and smiles."[18] Mohar Basu of Koimoi gave it 3/5 stars and commented, "The film is both pleasantly surprising and utterly baffling in equal amounts. Though Vinil Mathew’s direction might not be perfect due to his lack of experience, Hasee Toh Phasee will definitely win your heart for the symbiotically arranged, pitch perfect chemistry of Parineeti Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra. It was passionate and compelling, almost to make me wish that they were a real life couple and that alone becomes the winning shot."[19] A review from India Today awarded it with 3/5 stars and wrote, "Hasee Toh Phasee is a refreshing, much-needed entry in the contemporary romcom genre, which has lately seen a series of uninspiring films. It's largely to do with the presence of an unseen pairing with great chemistry - Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra - and Mathew and writer Harshvardhan Kulkarni's perky take on love."[20] Tushar Joshi of Daily News and Analysis awarded the movie with 3/5 stars, writing, "The lead pair of Sidharth and Parineeti make Hasee Toh Phasee enjoyable and believable.[21] This odd pairing works only because these two actors take an effort to play their characters with utmost sincerity. Watch it if you want to see a different take on modern day romance. Hasee Toh Phasee is worth a watch for a solid act put together by its lead pair."[22]. Sachin Jangra of QuoteSMSwishes[23] has been given Hasee Toh Phasee 3.5/5 stars, he written "This movie have a good start cast. Parineeti Chopra is looking gorgeous and Sidharth does not lack anything as he has a good ability of acting but he do not perform romance scenes with a charm. All over this flick is best for the romance lovers and who love romantic movies. It is a watchable movie.
Box Office
India
According to Box Office India, Hasee Toh Phasee had a reasonable start in major metros in most parts of the country.[24] Hasee Toh Phasee grossed around ₹4 crore (US$500,000) nett on its first day.[25] The movie showed a solid 35% growth on Saturday, earning approx ₹5.50 crore (US$690,000) nett. [26] The weekend collections (according to Box Office India) were approximately ₹17 crore (US$2.1 million),[27] while trade analyst Taran Adarsh claimed it to be ₹18.50 crore (US$2.3 million).
Overseas
The opening weekend gross of film was approx $ 1.027 million [Rs 6.41 crores].[28]
