Phir Ayi Hasseen Dillruba: Not worthy of 'Phir Ayi' like a 'Haseen Dillruba'

Haseen Dillruba, a Hindi movie on Netflix, surpassed all other Hindi films in terms of views three years ago. Thanks to its intricate narrative, catchy writing, and unnecessary controversies, the film successfully blends a dark romance and a crime thriller. It tells the tale of a troubled marriage and betrayal.

The film's unexpected popularity made room for this year's sequel, which aims to delve more into the tumultuous lives of the heroes. But does the follow-up measure up to the original, or is it merely a pale replica of its qualities?

Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba Where its predecessor left off, Dillruba picks up with Rani Saxena (Taapsee Pannu) and Rishabh 'Rishu' Saxena (Vikrant Massey) evading capture.

The story takes place in Agra, a dangerous and historically wealthy city, where Rani and Rishu decide to hide rather than go unnoticed. This choice symbolizes their disobedience and their intimate but poisonous relationship.

The story is made more ironic by the old-world splendour of the city and the Taj Mahal, as their relationship is not as passionate as the monument suggests.

The film features a new character, Abhimanyu, who falls in love with Rani. His dark, unpredictable nature adds tension to the already volatile relationship between Rani and Rishu. The film's plot revolves around Rani, Rishu, and Abhimanyu as they engage in mind games, deception, and a fight for survival.

Director Jayprad Desai gives the sequel new life, striving to maintain the spirit of the first picture. The film's first half is an exciting ride filled with plot twists, an engaging story, and a sombre tone evoking American noir films from the 1950s.

The principal performers bring life to Rani and Rishu's tumultuous romance with their outstanding performances. Massey's Rishu is a loving but conflicted spouse, while Pannu's Rani is a seductive siren.

The film struggles to keep its momentum, losing its initial allure in the second half. The plot becomes confusing, and the writing is less compelling, especially in the underdeveloped character of Abhimanyu, whose dark potential is never fully realized.

Even the veteran actor Jimmy Shergill, who plays DSP Mrityunjay Paswan, needs to be given more to work with, resulting in a performance that feels forced.

Another problem with the movie is its overreliance on irrational story points, including characters falling in love, getting married, and making major life decisions in a matter of days with little to no explanation.

People do foolish things like leaping off cliffs without getting wounded or riding a boat on a river rife with crocodiles, ruining the suspenseful atmosphere and leaving the viewer disappointed with improbable outcomes.

Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba is a sequel to the popular Haseen Dillruba, but it fails to capture the magic of its predecessor. The storyline needs more depth and intensity, and the characters need help to overcome script limitations.

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