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Happy Patel review: There’s a brand of comic recklessness that Hindi cinema has largely abandoned in favour of safe punchlines and recycled tropes. Happy Patel: Khatarnaak Jasoos isn’t interested in playing safe. Directed by Vir Das in his first outing behind the camera and produced by Aamir Khan Productions, the film leans into absurdity with confidence. It stumbles at times, yes, but it also dares to be strange, self-aware and oddly sincere.
Despite its indulgence in over-the-top farce, Happy Patel remains a wild plunge into gleeful chaos. It may not touch the cult stature of Delhi Belly, but its comic ambition clearly runs on the same wavelength. This is fearless, offbeat humour that refuses to dilute its madness. Descriptions of the film as absurd, spoofy and outrageously unrestrained ring true, as it leans into its delirious tone and sees it through without hesitation.
The story opens with a chaotic chase sequence involving Panjor’s feared don Jimmy (Aamir Khan), two undercover agents and a househelp who unexpectedly becomes part of a deadly gunfight. She dies, Jimmy dies too, but not before she entrusts his infant son, Happy Patel, to the agents. In a parallel track, a dying Jimmy reaches home to pass on his legacy to his sons, only to be completely outmanoeuvred by his daughter, who calmly walks away with the ring that declares the true don.
Fast forward to 2025. Happy Patel is now living in the UK with his two dads. He can’t assemble a gun, but he can ballet dance and cook soulful meals at his café, where the “Happy Special Sandwich” is the star attraction. Despite failing the MI7 exam, he’s recruited for a high-risk mission. He must travel to India and retrieve a kidnapped dermat scientist, Beatrice.
Happy arrives in Goa as a hilariously misinformed NRI, trained in Indian culture through Bollywood films and endless references to Shah Rukh Khan. On his mission, he teams up with Rupa Kumari (Mithila Palkar), Geet (Sharib Hashmi) and Roxy (Shrushti Tawade). Together, they attempt to rescue Beatrice from Mama, played by Mona Singh, a villain with a soft spot for food and a sharp edge beneath her calm exterior.
The film’s meta humour stands out. It cheekily references Delhi Belly and even sneaks in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na song callbacks. The writing by Vir Das and Amogh Ranadive deserves praise. The screenplay rarely loosens its grip, moving briskly from one set piece to the next. The second half, in particular, turns extraordinary. The stakes rise, the twists cut sharper, and the climax delivers emotional and narrative closure without overstaying its welcome.
Vir Das is undeniably the soul of this film. As Happy Patel, he brings an awkward charm and quiet heroism. His loose British accent adds to the character’s confused identity and often works in the film’s favour. Ngl, he does seem to take inspiration from our beloved Bollywood BFF Orry. This easily ranks among his best performances, perhaps because he wears multiple hats as writer, director and actor.
Mona Singh is both mild and fierce, giving Mama an unexpected emotional texture. Mithila Palkar brings sincerity, Sharib Hashmi anchors the chaos with grounded humour, and Shrushti Tawade adds playful unpredictability.
A cameo by Imran Khan surprisingly overshadows his uncle’s appearance, and it’s a welcome detour.
The film’s biggest limitation lies in its comedy-to-laugh ratio. While the comic timing is sharp, there aren’t enough laugh-out-loud moments. Some jokes feel smarter on paper than in execution. At times, the film mistakes quirk for impact. It’s decent, enjoyable and inventive, but not consistently hilarious. That said, the two-hour runtime never feels stretched, and every scene carries a distinct flavour.
Happy Patel: Khatarnaak Jasoos is a refreshing reminder that Hindi comedy can still take risks. In today’s cluttered theatrical lineup, that alone makes it worth the watch.
Watch it for shits and giggles!
