The sequel Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba opens with a nostalgic nod to the iconic song “Ek Haseena Thi, Ek Deewana Tha,” setting high expectations. Unfortunately, the film quickly loses its way, descending into a confusing and unsatisfying mess. Despite its intriguing premise, the film’s storyline takes such creative liberties that it often feels more absurd than artistic.
Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba Plot Overview
We reunite with Rani Saxena, portrayed by Taapsee Pannu, a captivating woman who previously left her mark with a complicated past. In this film, she’s presumed to have killed her husband, Rishabh Saxena, played by Vikrant Massey. We get a brief refresher on the events from the first film through flashbacks, which is a clever touch. But, as expected, a determined police officer—this time, played by Jimmy Sheirgill refuses to close the case.
Now a widow in the public eye, Rani encounters a new love interest, Abhimanyu (Sunny Kaushal). Abhimanyu is the charming guy next door who goes out of his way to win her affection, like booking an entire movie theater for a date and chasing after her rickshaw to return forgotten beauty products. However, things are not as simple as they seem.
As Rishu and Rani plan to escape to Thailand, they face growing suspicion about the mysterious death of Neel Tripathi, a character from the first film. With the relentless cop hot on their trail, they must navigate their escape while hiding from the world.
While Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba starts with a strong premise, aiming to explore themes of female empowerment and desire, it quickly loses its focus. Early scenes hint at a deeper commentary on women taking charge of their desires, with Rani’s cryptic messages to Rishu and other characters expressing their unmet needs. But these ideas are soon overshadowed by a convoluted plot.
The film fails to bring anything new to the table. It reuses many elements from the first movie, including poetic exchanges on public walls and near-misses with the police. The reliance on the audience’s willingness to overlook logic becomes a crutch for the film, leading to a lackluster and confusing narrative. By the time the big reveal comes, it feels inconsequential and uninspired, making the supposed suspense fall flat.
The climax of Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba is particularly disappointing. Instead of delivering an exhilarating conclusion, it feels rushed and anti-climactic. The film’s attempt to create tension and excitement ends up falling short, leaving viewers more frustrated than thrilled. The creators seem to have set an open challenge to action franchises like Mission Impossible to outperform their lackluster endings.
Performance Review
On the performance front, Sunny Kaushal as Abhimanyu stands out with the most well-rounded character arc. Unfortunately, Taapsee Pannu, who shone brightly in the first film, seems to have lost her spark this time around. Her portrayal of Rani feels less compelling, lacking the energy that made her character intriguing before. Vikrant Massey’s role is limited to snarls and discontent, and Jimmy Sheirgill’s character is underutilized and disappointing.
Overall, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba struggles to recapture the charm of its predecessor. The film’s attempt to build on the success of the first movie falls flat, with a plot that lacks originality and a climax that fails to excite. While the performances have their moments, they are not enough to redeem a movie that ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. If you were hoping for a thrilling and engaging sequel, this one might leave you wanting more.
