Be Happy review: A heartfelt ode to fatherhood and the innocence of childhood!

Abhishek Bachchan and Inayat Verma ground Remo D’Souza’s sentimental, albeit cliché tribute to fathers in Be Happy.

In an era where children’s films are few and far between, especially ones that treat childhood with genuine sincerity, Be Happy offers a glimpse into the innocent lens through which children see life and its hardships. Unlike many films that mistake childishness for simplicity, this one taps into a more thoughtful vein, similar to films like Chillar Party. The last film of this kind that genuinely moved me was If, where the idea of lost, imaginary friends coincided with the fading rainbow-colored approach to life we often forget as adults. In that sense, Be Happy, with its sweet-cute vibe, is more about preserving that childlike perspective than the profound fatherhood tale it intends to be.

The story is straightforward; Dhara (Inayat Verma), a young girl who lives, breathes, and even dances in dreams, wants to just perform on reality show -India’s Superstar Dancer's stage. She’s not without talent—she’s the best dancer at her school in Ooty, so she gets an opportunity to go to Mumbai. Her tata (grandfather) is supportive, but her father, Shiv Rastogi (Abhishek Bachchan), is the primary obstacle. Building from his own grief and trauma of losing his wife and Dhara's mother, Shiv is deeply fearful of dreams that don’t seem practical—especially these artistic dancing ones. However, after some convincing, he agrees to take Dhara to Mumbai to train under the renowned dancer Maggie (Nora Fatehi) and pursue her dream of competing in the reality show. But tragedy strikes when Dhara falls terribly ill, turning her pursuit of a dream into a race against time. 

Also Read: When Life Gives You Tangerines Volume I review: IU and Park Bo-Gum will make you weep, laugh and root for them in this roller coaster of a story!

To call the film an intense meditation on fatherhood and childhood aspirations would be an overstatement. While it focuses on the father-daughter dynamic, the narrative doesn’t dive too deeply into its emotional undercurrents. What it does manage to do is highlight how children’s aspirations often become the focal point of a parent’s existence. The film taps into the melodramatic tones familiar to reality dance shows, where personal struggles are spun for maximum emotional impact with just one-liner descriptions. For example, Shiv’s grief or Dhara's tussle with her dreams are resolved with a single conversation or the dicey romantic angle between him and Maggie. Even Dhara’s medical journey is handled in a similar surface-level manner, jumping from one beat to another. It’s reminiscent of the confessional moments we see in reality shows—emotional but without layered depth. 

That said, there are elements of the film that truly shine. The contrast between the spacious beauty of Ooty and Mumbai's cramped, bustling energy is well captured, as is the authenticity of the scripted reality show world. Since Remo D’Souza, a seasoned expert in this realm, directed the film it’s no surprise that the dance sequences and behind-the-scenes dynamics feels immersive. He brings in dancers from these shows, adding a layer of authenticity that elevates the film’s portrayal of the dance world. The casting of Nora Fatehi also works in that sense! While the dance sequences could have been more seamlessly integrated into the storyline as they were in his ABCD series, they still work. Remo’s signature style is evident throughout, even in including a Ganesh Chaturthi song, which is an imprint of him. 

Despite the dramatic approach, certain blindspots and occasional narrative missteps like Johnny Lever’s comedic tryst with horror, the performances truly anchor the film. Abhishek Bachchan, in particular, extends his dad's era in acting and shines as a father, giving those non-communicative fathers who hide layers of love a chance to be communicative. His portrayal of a man struggling to connect with his daughter is nuanced and touching. He is matched by the young Inayat Verma, who avoids the common pitfall of child actors by delivering a performance that is both mature and innocent. With their on-screen chemistry intact, this duo that previously worked together in Ludo brings some much-needed depth to this film that could have easily gotten all lost in clichés.

Be Happy is not the most powerful film in terms of delivering a nuanced message. Rather it begins childishly and feels disjointed at times. In fact, the film misses a crucial chance to critique commercial dance reality shows, where the relentless pursuit of spotlight turns the dreams of wide-eyed children into an overdrive, fueled by overly ambitious adults, with devastating effects on young lives. But as it gradually finds it's footing, it reminds us that stories told with heart, even sappy rainbow-coloured ones can still leave you all emotional. And for all its imperfections, it touched my heart.

Be Happy is currently streaming on Prime Video!

For reviews, follow us on @socialketchupbinge