Be Happy

Remo D'Souza's Be Happy works considerably better than expected, largely thanks to Abhishek Bachchan's genuinely understated and impressive performance as Shiv, a single father navigating his daughter's dance ambitions. The story of a banker torn between practical concerns and his child's dreams feels authentic rather than manufactured.

Abhishek brings quiet authority and emotional depth to the role, avoiding the theatrical pitfalls that often plague Bollywood father figures. His restraint makes the character's journey genuinely moving.

Inayat Verma as daughter Dhara is talented and engaging, though her confidence occasionally tips into overconfidence, which undermines the emotional vulnerability needed for the third act's deeper moments. A touch more subtlety could have created stronger audience connection.

The film's biggest missed opportunity lies in its Ooty setting. Rather than showcasing the hill station's distinct beauty as a contrast to Mumbai's chaos, D'Souza treats it like any generic location. The cinematography fails to capture Ooty's unique charm, wasting a natural advantage.

Nora Fatehi's dance teacher role feels severely underwritten, and her performance lacks conviction, making her character feel like an afterthought rather than the crucial mentor figure the story requires.

Despite these issues, Be Happy succeeds through its core father-daughter relationship and Abhishek's committed performance.

Rating: 7.5/10 (Abhishek's nuanced work lifts a dance drama that could've been much more visually distinctive)

I love Bollywood because it evokes emotions in me despite being a foreigner. Almost all mainstream movies that were released after covid lack soul, exception being 12th Fail, Laapata Ladies etc... This movie made me cry, I cared about the characters which rarely happens with recent Hindi movies. The child actor was brilliant, Abhishek was great and the rest of the cast were good as well. Even Though Norah's accent was visible even to me who barely speak Hindi, learning from watching too many Bollywood movies. The story had its flaws, but after watching so many senseless Bollywood movies these past few years like Pathaan or Fighter or Loveyappa (lol don't judge, wanted to see how Amir Khan ka bheta would do in movies and don't let me begin with Nadaniyaan) it was closest to the Bollywood my millennial ass could relate to. Overall I wanted to pass time and watch something with my dinner and being an Abhishek fan I decided on this and I didn't regret it.

In anurag basu's anthological film ludo, my favorite segment was the one featuring abhishek bachchan and inayat verma. Five years later, we get to see both of them in a full fledged film as father and daughter.

Its a story of a widower father and his daughter who wants to participate in dance india dance competition. Abhishek's character tries to be a strict dad but is easily emotionally manipulated. The whole first half runs on a flat note as everything happens in favor. But then comes a twist which makes the film emotional.

Be happy is a perfect ott film which would not have succeeded in theatres, but in ott during a lazy day, you sit with your family and watch this you would love it.

This happens when a person from dance field makes a movie, she/he would have cool ideas about the songs but no solid glue to compile those songs / song situation into one good story. Last ~15 minutes are truly beautiful and heartwarming, but rest of the movie feels dull. It lacks emotional appeal. For such movies to work, it requires a little bit of melodrama. But this movie runs pretty flat. Performances from main leads of three generations are very good, but story and director is not energetic, appealing and it lacks novelty. Inayat Verma's character is well developed, but despite having potential, Abhishek didn't get enought chance to show his talent in father's role. Most of his screen time is consumed in playing the cliches of lonely gloomy widower. Even a one scene would do the job, in which he cries alone for his daughter's pain and talks with his dead wife. This scene too is a cliche, but it still will be more emotional than a gloomy flat face. In somewhat similar space, "the sky is pink" was much more impactful and moving story.

As a parent you'll find it hard to look at your child without admiring that silly behavior or constant charm. Our children are - after all - a driving purpose & remo D'Souzas"be happy" has no limit to those little reminders of why. Starring abhishek bachan , nora fatehi and inayat verma. This family oriented drama will have you smiling for hours and at the end it will make you cry.abhishek has done a well job..he is born to play characters of fathers...we can feel the pain of a father through his eyes..nora fatehi was surprisingly good..her dance is excellent as always but her acting was very nice.inayat portrays in her character is a child prodigy - something I'm sure we all see in our sons & daughters, regardless of where they stand. The plot-line here was surprisingly soft and presented host of lessons that highlighted the importance of a trusting dreams of your child; It's a title every father must see and every mother should feel encouraged by. Where there's love and happiness, there's life!