Haseen Dillruba (2021)

Haseen Dillruba is a romantic, mystery-thriller centered around a tumultuous love triangle, betrayal, and a murder investigation. Rani Kashyap (played by Taapsee Pannu) is a woman with a fascination for crime novels, particularly the works of a pulp fiction writer. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she marries Rishabh “Rishu” Saxena (Vikrant Massey), a simple, shy engineer, in an arranged marriage.

The marriage quickly becomes strained as Rani is dissatisfied with Rishu’s lack of passion, and Rishu struggles to connect with Rani. Things take a sharp turn when Neel Tripathi (Harshvardhan Rane), Rishu’s handsome cousin, comes into their lives. Rani embarks on an intense affair with Neel, which leads to chaos.

The narrative moves between the present and flashbacks, as Rani becomes the prime suspect in Rishu’s mysterious death. As the police investigate, they unravel the dark, twisted layers of Rani and Rishu’s marriage, revealing secrets, deception, and a deadly love triangle.

Plot:

Rani Kashyap, a free-spirited woman, enters an arranged marriage with Rishu Saxena, a mild-mannered engineer. Rani, who loves thrilling crime stories, is soon disillusioned with her mundane married life. The couple’s relationship is strained, with Rani unable to feel attracted to Rishu, who tries but fails to ignite any passion in their marriage.

Enter Neel, Rishu’s cousin, who comes to stay with them. Neel is everything Rani desires—attractive, bold, and charismatic. The two embark on a passionate affair, which Rani hides from Rishu. However, things start spiraling out of control when Neel abruptly leaves, breaking off the affair and leaving Rani heartbroken. This forces Rani to reconsider her relationship with Rishu, and just as they are trying to repair their marriage, tragedy strikes.

Rishu dies in a gas explosion, but the circumstances around his death are highly suspicious. The police believe Rani is responsible for the murder, as she is caught in a web of lies and deceit. Through a series of flashbacks, the film reveals the complexities of their relationship, with Rani eventually confessing to her affair, but denying any involvement in Rishu’s death.

As the investigation unfolds, secrets from their marriage are exposed, leaving the audience questioning who is telling the truth. The climax leads to a shocking revelation about the dynamics between Rani and Rishu, as well as the true nature of the events leading to Rishu’s death.

Review:

Haseen Dillruba received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. The film is a blend of romance, suspense, and thriller, with a narrative that keeps viewers guessing until the end.

Strengths:

• Taapsee Pannu‘s Performance: Taapsee Pannu, as Rani, delivered a powerful performance that highlights the complexities of her character—a woman torn between passion and loyalty. Her portrayal of a morally ambiguous character was praised.
• Twists and Turns: The movie’s constant switching between the past and present, as well as its unreliable narration, created suspense and intrigue, making the audience question the characters’ motives.
• Direction and Cinematography: Vinil Mathew‘s direction kept the movie engaging, and the cinematography was appreciated for effectively capturing the contrast between the idyllic small-town setting and the dark undercurrents of the plot.

Weaknesses:

• Unconvincing Plot: Many felt that the story, while initially engaging, lacked coherence and plausibility in the final act. The final twist, although unexpected, left some audiences feeling unsatisfied with the resolution.
• Underdeveloped Characters: While the central characters had potential, some viewers felt that their emotional arcs were not fully explored, making it hard to connect with them on a deeper level.

Overall, the film is a bold attempt to mix romance, thriller, and dark comedy, and while it didn’t fully live up to its potential for some viewers, others found it to be an entertaining and gripping watch.

Awards:

• Best Actor (Female): Taapsee Pannu was nominated for her performance at various award shows.
• Best Screenplay: Kanika Dhillon’s screenplay received critical attention for its layered narrative structure and bold storytelling.

While Haseen Dillruba did not sweep any major awards, it gained nominations in categories like acting, direction, and screenplay, particularly for Taapsee Pannu‘s performance.

Popularity:

The movie gained popularity soon after its release on Netflix. Due to Taapsee Pannu‘s strong fan following and the buzz around its plot twists, Haseen Dillruba became one of the trending films on the platform for weeks. Its bold narrative, coupled with the mystery element, appealed to audiences, particularly in India.

The film’s mix of crime, romance, and suspense, along with a gripping whodunit storyline, helped it capture attention among thriller fans. However, the polarizing ending led to a split in audience reception, with some appreciating the plot’s audacity, while others found it frustratingly convoluted.

Despite the mixed reviews, Haseen Dillruba managed to maintain a strong viewership, keeping it relevant in discussions about unconventional Bollywood thrillers of 2021.