Hasee Toh Phasee

Hasee Toh Phasee is a 2014 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy-drama film directed by Vinil Mathew and produced by Karan Johar and Anurag Kashyap under Dharma Productions and Phantom Films. The film stars Parineeti Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra. Hasee Toh Phasee follows the story of Nikhil who thinks he is in love with his girlfriend, Karishma, and wants to marry her. But he ends up falling in love with her sister, Meeta.
The film marked Malhotra's second and Chopra's first project with Dharma Productions. The cinematography is done by Sanu Varghese. Vishal–Shekhar composed the music, while lyrics were written by Amitabh Bhattacharya and Kumaar.
Hasee Toh Phasee released on 7 February 2014. It received positive reviews from critics, with praise for its story, music, humor, cinematography and cast performances (particularly for Chopra). The film earned crore worldwide, thus emerging as a commercial success at the box office.
At the 60th Filmfare Awards, Hasee Toh Phasee received 3 nominations, including Best Lyricist (Amitabh Bhattacharya for "Zehnaseeb") and Best Male Playback Singer (Shekhar Ravjiani for "Zehnaseeb).
Plot
Nikhil is a struggling businessman who thinks he loves Karishma, an actress. Nikhil is characterised as a person who believes that once committed to a girl, there should be no straying. Nikhil ask Karishma's father to help him with ₹50 million before marriage to earn a contract. But Karishma father refuse his request. Thus putting him in a position to prove himself without borrowing money from his in-law.
Then Nikhil meets Meeta, Karishma's younger sister, whom he had a brief encounter with seven year ago. Meeta, an IITian in Chemical Engineering and PhD., is a super-intelligent geek with unusual habits and tics, who ran away seven years ago to China after stealing money from her father for her project leading to her father heart attack on the day of Karishma's elder sisters wedding. Now, just a week before Nikhil and Karishma's wedding, Meeta has turned up to meet her father, but Karishma fearing that Meeta sudden appearance might ruin their wedding as previously. So Karishma assign Nikhil to watch over Meeta and keep her away from her father.
Nikhil and Meeta become close during the seven days preceding Nikhil's wedding. He learns that Meeta has returned, intending to steal again and Meeta has taken a hefty loan of ₹100 million from a Chinese investor for her research by forging her father's signature. The deadline for payback is over, and an extension of three days was given, during which she has to steal money from her father's account to save him from the investor's goons. Nikhil help Meeta hack her father's account but advises her to apologise to her family. Meeta apologies and reunites with her family.
Meeta cannot gather the courage to steal her father's money and tells her father the truth, but her father forgives her and let her take the money. Meeta seemingly tell her father about her feeling for Nikhil. Meanwhile, Nikhil realises he is marrying the wrong girl. Nikhil contemplate his life and love between Karishma and meeta. Nikhil goes to Karishma house to break off the wedding, but sees Karishma happy and joyful with her sisters , he returns home, realising the complications and thus he cannot hurt Karishma. Nikhil meet Meeta and scolds Meeta for being selfish and only thinking of her benefit and tells her to go away from them. Mr. Adlani, an investor, shows his interest in Nikhil's idea.
On the wedding day, Meeta leaves her house without informing anyone, leaving her mobile phone in Karishma's room. Nikhil tries to call her and sends many texts, which go unanswered. On reaching the mandap, Meeta's father informs him that she has left for China. Karishma finds Meeta's phone in her room, reads Nikhil messages, and realises she has lost Nikhil. During the wedding, she asks Nikhil to leave, which Nikhil hesitantly oblige. Heartbroken Meeta tries to end her life, but gather her courage and goes back to profess her love for Nikhil. She and Nikhil reunite at the same place and predicament they first meet 7 years ago. They both express their love for each other and share a kiss.
The movie ends with Nikhil and Meeta at the airport, scheduled to travel to Germany. Meeta tells him that there is another problem waiting for them.
Cast
Sidharth Malhotra as Nikhil Bharadwaj
Namit Shah as young Nikhil
Parineeti Chopra as Dr. Meeta Solanki
Anshikaa Shrivastava as Young Meeta
Adah Sharma as Karishma Solanki
Manoj Joshi as Devesh Solanki, Meeta and Karishma's father
Sharat Saxena as S. B. Bharadwaj, Nikhil's father
Neena Kulkarni as Mrs. Bharadwaj, Nikhil's mother
Sameer Sharma as Abhay Bharadwaj, Nikhil's brother
Anil Mange as Abhinandan
Sameer Khakhar as Alpesh Solanki
Sunil Upadhyay as Salim
Garvita Sharma as Amrita
Gulzar Dastur as Nikhil's aunt
Lily Patel as Baa, Meeta's grandmother
Akash Dabas as Nikhil's friend
Jaymeet Sinha as Ruhaan
Tinnu Anand as Mukesh Adnani (special appearance)
Bobby Darling in a special appearance in song "Drama Queen"
Karan Johar in a special appearance
Vikas Bahl in a special appearance
Madhu Mantena in a special appearance
Production
Development
Karan Johar's Dharma Productions along with Phantom Films, which is run by four filmmakers - Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vikas Bahl and Madhu Mantena, announced that they would make a romantic comedy together. The film marks director Vinil Mathew's debut. The film was initially titled Hasta la vista Su Badam Pista. But it was later changed to Hasee Toh Phasee.
Anurag Kashyap, been excited for the project said, "The story works with fresh faces, but requires a high level of chemistry and maturity in the performances. After spending months shortlisting various actors, we finalised Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra."
Casting
Sidharth Malhotra was cast as the businessman Nikhil. Malhotra said tha Nikhil is not the "typical hero" but a shy, sweet and a committed guy. Parineeti Chopra was cast as the quirky scientist Meeta. Chopra said that her character was a quite difficult one and added that Meeta, in a way, "broke the stereotype" of how a heroine should be or look on-screen. The film marked their first project together. Adah Sharma was cast as Karishma, the second lead and Meeta's sister.
Vinil Mathew stated that he wanted Chopra to have different hairstyles, to capture the seven-year period covered in the film. Mathew added that while Chopra was always on his "wish list", it was Johar who suggested Malhotra for the film.
Filming
On director Mathew, Malhotra said, "It didn't feel like the first day of shoot because he is so sorted and knows exactly what he wants. He made us rehearse a lot during a two-month workshop before shooting began". The fact that Adah Sharma was involved in the cast was supposed to be kept a secret before official announcement. But, it was later revealed as Adah was seen shooting at the Bandra Bandstand Promenade.
Filming began on 18 April 2013. The film was shot in and out Mumbai including, places such as Lokhandwala and Marine Drive. Chopra was also injured, while shooting for the film.
Soundtrack
Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy were initially signed on as composers for the film. But eventually they opted out, and songs featured in the film were composed by Vishal–Shekhar, while the lyrics are written by Amitabh Bhattacharya, except for "Ishq Bulaava", which is written by Kumaar. The first single "Drama Queen", sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Vishal Dadlani, was launched on 23 December 2013. The song "Zehnaseeb", sung by Chinmayi Sripaada along with Shekhar Ravjiani, was launched on 3 January 2014. There are six original tracks and a remix track in the album. The complete soundtrack album was released on 6 January 2014. The remix version of "Drama Queen" was later uploaded as a single on the official YouTube channel of Dharma Productions. A Gujarati rap song was entirely written and composed by Khamosh Shah, which is there in the film but not on the soundtrack. The "Punjabi Wedding Song" was choreographed by Karishma Chavan.
Critical reception
Reception
Critical reception
Hasee Toh Phasee received positive reviews from critics, with particular praises directed towards the lead cast performances, direction and story.
Meena Iyer of The Times of India gave it 3.5/5 stars, stating, "Hasee Toh Phasee is for the romantics who like their martinis stirred not shaken. This romantic comedy mirrors the quirks in human nature subtly and provides humour in everyday situations; in the family and amongst friends. If you're looking to rediscover the magic of goofy love around Valentines, give HTP a shot."
Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave it 3.5/5 stars and said, "Hasee Toh Phasee dares to be distinctive. This one's *not* merely about opposites falling in love. This one's a quirky love tale involving two individuals, shades different from the mundane stuff on matters of heart". Sukanya Verma of Rediff gave the movie with same ratings and wrote, "Hasee Toh Phasee is that rare film that allows you to know the two people you're investing in. And the closer you get, the more they win you over. Parineeti sinks her teeth into this misunderstood kook without a trace of self-consciousness or exaggeration. If that's not magical enough, what Hasee Toh Phasee celebrates certainly is. That the only high you need is life, love and smiles."
Mohar Basu of Koimoi gave it 3/5 stars and wrote, "The film is both pleasantly surprising and utterly baffling in equal amounts. Hasee Toh Phasee will definitely win your heart for the symbiotically arranged, pitch perfect chemistry of Parineeti Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra. It was passionate and compelling, almost to make me wish that they were a real life couple and that alone becomes the winning shot."
A review from India Today rated it with 3/5 stars, stating, "Hasee Toh Phasee is a refreshing, much-needed entry in the contemporary romcom genre, which has lately seen a series of uninspiring films. It's largely to do with the presence of an unseen pairing with great chemistry - Parineeti Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra - and Mathew and writer Harshvardhan Kulkarni's perky take on love."
Tushar Joshi of Daily News and Analysis gave the movie with 3/5 stars, writing, "The lead pair of Chopra and Malhotra make Hasee Toh Phasee enjoyable and believable. This odd pairing works only because these two actors take an effort to play their characters with utmost sincerity. Watch it if you want to see a different take on modern day romance. Hasee Toh Phasee is worth a watch for a solid act put together by its lead pair.".
Box office
According to Box Office India, Hasee Toh Phasee had a reasonable start in major metros in most parts of the country. Hasee Toh Phasee grossed around on its first day. The movie showed a 35% growth on Saturday, earning about . The weekend collections (according to Box Office India) were approximately , while trade analyst Taran Adarsh claimed it to be . The movie grossed a decent in the first week.
In the second week, the movie's screen count fell due to the release of Yash Raj Films' Gunday. However, it still grossed a figure of , taking the 10-day total to . Overseas, the opening weekend gross of film was approx $1.027 million (64.1 million).
Accolades
See also
List of Hindi films of 2014
Notes
References
External links
Indian romantic comedy-drama films
2010s Hindi-language films
2014 romantic comedy-drama films
2014 films
Films scored by Vishal–Shekhar
Reliance Entertainment films
Films about Indian weddings
2014 comedy films
2014 drama films
Films about bipolar disorder
Films about depression