This week’s big release, Phillauri, is a film that’s in high spirits (pun intended!). Anushka Sharma, the sparkling white bhootni in the film, glides in and out as she pleases and frankly, it's more fun with her than without. Phillauri is sometimes silly and over the top, but mostly goofy. The one reason why I think it works is because of the conviction with which it has been made.
Director Anshai Lal gets us into the groove from the start. Canada returned Kanan (Suraj Sharma) is home for his own shaadi with childhood sweetheart Anu (Mehreen Perzada). Kanan gets entangled with Shashi – friendly alright, but a ghost nevertheless, and everything goes upside down. Leisurely flashbacks take us to the time of love in the time of no cellphones.
Diljit Dosanjh and Anushka Sharma together are mesmerising. There are some truly magical moments adorned further by songs that make the setting all the more poetic.
Suraj and Mehreen look pale as compared to Diljit and Anushka, both in terms of performance and as characters.
Suraj has one stock expression of absolute bewilderment throughout the 140-minute run time. This could be you, if you take Phillauri too seriously!
The climax will only push credulity to snapping point. But go for it with an open mind and a forgiving heart, and you shall leave the hall smiling.
We give it 3 Quints out of 5!
Producer: Erum Gour
Editor: Puneet Bhatia
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