Movie Review: Anuska Sharma as The Bride Spirit in PHILLAURI

Movie Review: ‘Phillauri’
Rating: 3/5
Director: Anshai Lal
Cast: Anushka Sharma, Suraj Sharma, Diljit Dosanjh, Mehreen Pirzada

Phillauri Movie Trailer

Philauri manages to keep you entertained all through. Anushka Sharma is delightful as the bride in spirit.   Apart from being slightly stretched towards the end, the film’s dual track becomes tedious at times.  The film works due to the performances of Suraj Sharma and Anushka Sharma, and a couple of light moments. Mehreen Pirzada, who plays Suraj’s fiance, is talent to watch out for. The scenes where Suraj learns that he has to marry a tree, or when he meets the ghostly Shashi or Shashi’s curiosity over how things have changed over the century have ample moments to make you chuckle.  The movie reaches interval point when Kanan and Anu’s relationship develops complications, while in the past, Phillauri begin to develop serious feelings for Shashi. The second half will provide answers on how Shashi dies and how Kanan can get rid of her spirit.

Anushka Sharma as Shashi – the bride in spirit, pulls off a nice act. She looks resplendent in all the frames and especially in the flashback. She’s donning the producer’s hat as well for the film and we can easily say that she’s balanced both her jobs well.  Diljit Dosanjh has amazing screen presence. He compliments well for his character who has a change of heart and performs the transformation quite well.

Suraj Sharma aptly portrays the confused NRI. He’s dumbfounded in most of the scene and that pretty much works for his character.  Mehreen Pirzada makes her debut with the film and we must say that this fresh face is delightful. She’s pretty and pulls off the Amritsar gal, who says ‘itne saal se go-around kar rahe hai’ (dating) act in a perfect manner.

Anushka Sharma’s first production, NH10 was received well. We could say, that as a producer, she does have a good eye for stories and and even better choice when it comes to looking for directors. Anshai Lal makes his directorial debut and it is a confident one at that. I strongly feel, more than the story, its his execution of it that works more. He captures the whole Lavish Punjabi wedding spirit well and the pre-independance era even better, with all the earthy colors. The lighting is spot and scenes such as Diljit’s recording or the one where Shashi sneaks out are well made. Lal’s storytelling is paced well at start but gets tedious in the second half.

Visual effects is the key contributor in making this film look polished. Anushka’s 3D work of the ghost has been done with immense detailing. The blingy lady looks dreamy and less scary!

A few scenes linger for too long that’s where your patience kind of runs out. Particularly in one scene where Anu’s house help misunderstands Kannan’s signals and also the climax.

Music complimented well to the story. Songs like Dum Dum and Sahibaa are clear winners.

Phillauri is a fun watch thanks to its light-hearted story. Shashi’s friendly ghost will win your hearts.