Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba Movie Review: Taapsee Pannu and Vikrant Massey Return in a Deliciously Twisted Romance

Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, the sequel to the 2021 hit Haseen Dillruba, hits all the marks that the original stumbled over. This film is atmospheric, delectably murky, and brimming with characters who skillfully wield love, sex, and deception for their own dubious purposes. It’s been a while since a Hindi film has embraced such grown-up, amoral romance with this much gusto.

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A New Twist on a Familiar Tale

In Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, our troubled lovers Rani (Taapsee Pannu) and Rishu (Vikrant Massey) continue their run from the law. Their hideout in Agra may offer them temporary refuge, but they remain pursued by relentless adversaries. This time, their nemesis is a cunning investigating officer, Mrityunjay (Jimmy Shergill), who likens himself to a ‘kadhphodwa’ (woodpecker). His determination to expose Rani and Rishu’s past sins adds a new layer of tension to the narrative.

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Fresh Faces and New Dynamics

The film introduces a couple of new characters who add intrigue to the plot. Abhimanyu (Sunny Kaushal), a local compounder with a hidden agenda, harbors a secret fascination with Rani. His expertise extends beyond his profession, revealing a deep knowledge of the Yamuna River’s treacherous waters and its dangerous inhabitants. Another notable addition is a crafty woman (Bhumika Dube) who uses her disability as a strategic weapon to achieve her goals, despite her unrequited affection for a man who clearly does not reciprocate. Dube, known for her impactful role in the feminist film Cheepatakadumka, delivers another memorable performance here.

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Empathetic Characters Amidst Moral Ambiguity

Kudos to writer Kanika Dhillon for crafting characters with a surprising depth of empathy. Despite their moral ambiguity and willingness to commit heinous acts in the name of love—often depicted in lurid novels with titles like Khooni Ishq and Pyaar Ka Darinda—these characters are not inherently evil. Their motivations are driven by a complex blend of passion and desperation.

Criticisms and Clichés

However, the film does have its shortcomings. The use of the area behind the Taj Mahal and the dirty Yamuna River for romantic exchanges feels clichéd, and some plot twists are overly predictable. Certain dialogues come across as excessively on-the-nose, and a scene involving a group of cops waiting at a suspect’s doorstep strains credibility.

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A Pulsating Return to Pulpy Romance

Despite these flaws, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba embraces its pulpy, melodramatic roots with gusto. The film’s ability to deliver unexpected twists and turns, even within familiar tropes, keeps it engaging. The performances of Taapsee Pannu as the manipulative Rani, Vikrant Massey as the steadfast Rishu, and Sunny Kaushal as the lovelorn Abhimanyu are all spot-on, with Kaushal particularly standing out. Jimmy Shergill delivers a commendable performance, though his portrayal of Mrityunjay fluctuates somewhat inconsistently.

For those who revel in morally complex stories where right and wrong are fluid and the stakes are high, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba delivers with style. Here’s hoping for more such thrilling, morally ambiguous tales.

Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, Sunny Kaushal, Bhumika Dube, Jimmy Shergill, Aditya Srivastava
Director: Jayprad Desai
Rating: 3 stars

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