Director: Jayprad Desai
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, Sunny Kaushal, Bhumika Dube, Jimmy Shergill, Aditya Srivastava
Writer: Kanika Dhillon
Duration: 133 Minutes
Platform: Netflix
 
If you’ve been craving a dose of Bollywood’s most deliciously melodramatic escapism, look no further than Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba. This sequel doesn’t just pick up where the original left off; it cranks up the glamour, deceit, and sheer absurdity to a level that would make even the most seasoned soap opera fan do a double take.
 
The film kicks off with our star-crossed troublemakers, Rani (Taapsee Pannu) and Rishu (Vikrant Massey), trading their old drama for a new setting. Their romantic getaway in Agra feels more like a hide-and-seek game with law enforcement, only with more brooding and fewer hiding spots. Enter the relentless cop (Aditya Srivastava) who’s basically a human bloodhound on a mission.
 
But wait—there’s a new sheriff in town, and he’s got a penchant for pecking away at his prey. Meet Mrityunjay (Jimmy Shergill), who proudly dubs himself a ‘kadhphodwa’ (woodpecker). He’s the kind of detective who’d make a torturous interrogation session look like a leisurely stroll in the park. His mission: to make Rani and Rishu’s lives as uncomfortable as a pair of ill-fitting shoes.
 
As if that weren’t enough, the sequel spices things up with new faces. Sunny Kaushal pops in as Abhimanyu, the local compounder who’s as obsessed with Rani as he is with the murky depths of the Yamuna River. His dual talents—romantic and aquatic—are as intriguing as they are convenient. Then there’s Bhumika Dube, a cunning woman who wields her disability like a weapon in a feminist reimagining of classic Bollywood tropes. Her performance is so impactful it makes you wonder why the Oscars haven’t yet added a category for “Best Use of Disability as a Plot Device.”
 
Kanika Dhillon’s script is a riot of melodrama and romance, making sure that every emotion is dialed up to eleven. The characters might be scheming and murderous, but they’re so empathetic (in a completely psychotic way) that you’ll find yourself cheering them on, even as they plot their next devious move. And let’s not forget the delightfully lurid references to fictional romances like ‘Khooni Ishq’ and ‘Pyaar Ka Darinda,’ which are as campy as they are entertaining.
 
Now, for the quirks. Bollywood’s obsession with the Taj Mahal’s backside as a romantic hideaway is as charmingly absurd as ever. The film also features some of the most obvious red herrings since the invention of the term. And if you’ve ever wondered how a squad of cops manages to look simultaneously intimidating and completely ineffectual, this film has the answer. Spoiler: it involves a lot of waiting in line.
 
Despite its melodramatic missteps, Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba is a glorious throwback to the days when Hindi cinema reveled in its own outrageousness. It’s a rollercoaster of romantic chaos, complete with all the guilty pleasures one could hope for. So, grab your popcorn, brace yourself for some grandiose melodrama, and enjoy the ride. Because when it comes to theatrical love and labyrinthine plots, this sequel doesn’t just deliver—it extravagantly overdelivers.