I’m Happy To See This Available on Amazon! It wasn’t too long ago when I wasn’t aware that Bollywood is only one of several film industries in India. There’s also the Tamil industry (nicknamed Kollywood), as well as Telugu (Tollywood). HAPPY, coming out in 2006, happens to be a charming Telugu romantic comedy, and it showcases two fresh young actors on the rise: Allu Arjun and Genelia D’Souza.The premise of HAPPY hinges on that old cliche of the domineering father, who this time is also a powerful caste-fixated politician. His obedient lovely daughter Madhumathi (Genelia D’Souza) is on her third year studying medicine, which is the same year she runs into the prankish, happy-go-lucky Bunny (Allu Arjun). Each one takes an instant dislike to the other. As per formula with Indian cinema, the first half of the film is pretty much a loopy comedy, focusing on scenes in which Madhu and Bunny engage in hostile oneupmanship.It all eventually goes too far when Madhu’s incensed father suspects Madhu of fooling around and promptly arranges her marriage, to take place in a month’s time. This means that Madhu would have to forego her dream of becoming a doctor, as her future husband does not want a career woman for a bride. A rueful Bunny notes how distraught Madhu is and attempts to fix things. But his antics backfire, and somehow Bunny and Madhu end up married. Even though they still pretty much detest each other.Two subplots come into play. The enmity between Madhu’s haughty politician father and a crooked cop washes over into Madhu and Bunny’s lives. Also, Madhu begins to slip up on her studies, which then impacts her relationship with Bunny (at this point, of course, these two had already gotten past their mutual antagonism). There are elements which come out of left field. Occasionally Indian cinema likes to endow their lead male character with incredible fighting prowess, even if the film isn’t in the action genre. Bunny – and, sorry, but I can’t help but cringe at that name – Bunny gets involved in several brawls, in which he more than holds his own. It bugs me a bit that, in the first fight, Bunny states that he’s an effective combatant only if music is playing. But in later scraps there’s no music, and he’s still taking thugs out with his awesome brand of Bolly-fu – excuse me, Telugu-fu. As he later declares: “Music is not necessary to fight. A mood to fight is enough.” It’s a tiny gripe, yeah, but it feels like a hole in consistency. I must say, though, that the fight scenes look very cool.Initially I must admit to having a problem with Allu Arjun’s mugging and exagerrated swagger. But he settles down as the film progresses, and becomes quite likeable from the moment he falls in love with Madhu (probably because he stops being such an insolent ninny). In the last half hour Allu Arjun delivers an effective dramatic performance. And, certainly, Arjun is athletic and coordinated enough to handle the fight scenes and dancing (yes, there’s dancing!) with grace and flair.Genelia D’Souza, a lovely actress and refreshing as clear skies after a storm, will always be the one onscreen I keep my eyes glued to the most. She excels in playing those bubbly personalities, and, even though her role here is fairly stereotypical, this perky quality still manages to come out in spurts. I can’t get enough of her, and have liked her even in her more odorous movies (, ). But, naturally, I love the hell out of her in her better pictures (, , MR. MEDHAVI). Incidentally, Manoj Bajpai has a nice comedic supporting bit as the kind-hearted but vile tempered police officer.There’s a chance, a tiny chance, that you may think the climax way over-the-top. To which my response is: That’s Tollywood, baby; that’s Indian cinema. I don’t know how many times I’ve mentioned this, in reviews and in trying to convince my friends to watch Indian cinema, you have to come in with a certain mindset, be prepared for the overwrought sentiments and the sheer commitment to lavish idealized romance. And, of course, for the musical numbers, most of which here are pretty catchy and high energy and with excellent picturization. As mentioned already, Allu Arjun does good things on the dance floor. Genelia, meanwhile, isn’t quite up there with Aishwarya Rai in the dancing department. But, well, she’s very cute – so who cares? Keep an eye and ear out for the songs “Chal Chal Re,” “Happy,” and “Ossa.”HAPPY has its share of funny but also moments of cheesiness. There are some neat little touches interspersed throughout, like that throwaway “God” sequence after Bunny goes home with Madhu’s little dog and…
I’m Happy To See This Available on Amazon! It wasn’t too long ago when I wasn’t aware that Bollywood is only one of several film industries in India. There’s also the Tamil industry (nicknamed Kollywood), as well as Telugu (Tollywood). HAPPY, coming out in 2006, happens to be a charming Telugu romantic comedy, and it showcases two fresh young actors on the rise: Allu Arjun and Genelia D’Souza.The premise of HAPPY hinges on that old cliche of the domineering father, who this time is also a powerful caste-fixated politician. His obedient lovely daughter Madhumathi (Genelia D’Souza) is on her third year studying medicine, which is the same year she runs into the prankish, happy-go-lucky Bunny (Allu Arjun). Each one takes an instant dislike to the other. As per formula with Indian cinema, the first half of the film is pretty much a loopy comedy, focusing on scenes in which Madhu and Bunny engage in hostile oneupmanship.It all eventually goes too far when Madhu’s incensed father suspects Madhu of fooling around and promptly arranges her marriage, to take place in a month’s time. This means that Madhu would have to forego her dream of becoming a doctor, as her future husband does not want a career woman for a bride. A rueful Bunny notes how distraught Madhu is and attempts to fix things. But his antics backfire, and somehow Bunny and Madhu end up married. Even though they still pretty much detest each other.Two subplots come into play. The enmity between Madhu’s haughty politician father and a crooked cop washes over into Madhu and Bunny’s lives. Also, Madhu begins to slip up on her studies, which then impacts her relationship with Bunny (at this point, of course, these two had already gotten past their mutual antagonism). There are elements which come out of left field. Occasionally Indian cinema likes to endow their lead male character with incredible fighting prowess, even if the film isn’t in the action genre. Bunny – and, sorry, but I can’t help but cringe at that name – Bunny gets involved in several brawls, in which he more than holds his own. It bugs me a bit that, in the first fight, Bunny states that he’s an effective combatant only if music is playing. But in later scraps there’s no music, and he’s still taking thugs out with his awesome brand of Bolly-fu – excuse me, Telugu-fu. As he later declares: “Music is not necessary to fight. A mood to fight is enough.” It’s a tiny gripe, yeah, but it feels like a hole in consistency. I must say, though, that the fight scenes look very cool.Initially I must admit to having a problem with Allu Arjun’s mugging and exagerrated swagger. But he settles down as the film progresses, and becomes quite likeable from the moment he falls in love with Madhu (probably because he stops being such an insolent ninny). In the last half hour Allu Arjun delivers an effective dramatic performance. And, certainly, Arjun is athletic and coordinated enough to handle the fight scenes and dancing (yes, there’s dancing!) with grace and flair.Genelia D’Souza, a lovely actress and refreshing as clear skies after a storm, will always be the one onscreen I keep my eyes glued to the most. She excels in playing those bubbly personalities, and, even though her role here is fairly stereotypical, this perky quality still manages to come out in spurts. I can’t get enough of her, and have liked her even in her more odorous movies (, ). But, naturally, I love the hell out of her in her better pictures (, , MR. MEDHAVI). Incidentally, Manoj Bajpai has a nice comedic supporting bit as the kind-hearted but vile tempered police officer.There’s a chance, a tiny chance, that you may think the climax way over-the-top. To which my response is: That’s Tollywood, baby; that’s Indian cinema. I don’t know how many times I’ve mentioned this, in reviews and in trying to convince my friends to watch Indian cinema, you have to come in with a certain mindset, be prepared for the overwrought sentiments and the sheer commitment to lavish idealized romance. And, of course, for the musical numbers, most of which here are pretty catchy and high energy and with excellent picturization. As mentioned already, Allu Arjun does good things on the dance floor. Genelia, meanwhile, isn’t quite up there with Aishwarya Rai in the dancing department. But, well, she’s very cute – so who cares? Keep an eye and ear out for the songs “Chal Chal Re,” “Happy,” and “Ossa.”HAPPY has its share of funny but also moments of cheesiness. There are some neat little touches interspersed throughout, like that throwaway “God” sequence after Bunny goes home with Madhu’s little dog and…