Haseen Dillruba Review: Despite top-notch performances, the film doesn't rise beyond being a tribute to B-grade films

When the trailer for Haseen Dillruba released, I was excited. Of course, there's a stellar star cast- Taapsee Pannu , Vikrant Massey and Harshvardhan Rane to look forward to. It also seemed to be taking major inspiration from Dinesh Pandit who can make his characters commit 'bade bade khoon' in 'chhote chhote sehar' and no one even knows. However, what we did not see coming is the fact that it would end up becoming a tribute to old B-grade Hindi films!

The story of the film starts off with a blast, and a death. Rishu, played by the amazing Vikrant Massey, is proclaimed dead. The body has burnt completely except for his hand, with the 'Rani' tattoo. A blunt hit is found on the skull, which makes the investigation officer suspect it's a murder. Rani, played by Taapsee Pannu, is considered the prime suspect, along with her 'lover' Neel Tripathi, played by Harshvardhan Rane. Incidentally, Neel is also Rishu's cousin. The story unfolds with Rani's statements to the Police.

If you had been expecting a thriller, you would be somewhat disappointed. By the time you reach the interval, or rather the understandable interval, you'd know what's going on. Yet, there is an element of thrill, which is exactly the reason why I won't preceded with the story anymore.

The film leaves you at a juncture where you can't really dismiss it altogether, but can't appreciate it too just as much. Haseen Dillruba, written by Kanika Dhillon could have been better than how it finally turns out to be. After all, there's a subtle depiction of the seven stages of love, there's so much unfolding after every scene, taking us deeper into the lives of the central characters. However, as we reach the climax, the build-up crumbles and it feels like a mere tribute to the old Hindi B-grade films. The reason lies in the climax and the sloppy treatment which makes it all the more silly. That's the problem- the climax. Everything else is good, even the problematic love and passion that Rishu and Rani share (as long as you understand that it's super toxic). While director Vinil Matthew tries to mount it to a grand climax, it all feels like an anti-climax that goes full filmy, full overdramatic, and this is what kind of mars the entire cinematic experience. The performances are definitely the strongest point of the film.

Taapsee Pannu plays the complex Rani Kashyap, who settles for an arranged marriage after all her love affairs fail. The Delhi girl goes to Jwalapur, but she is volatile and too overwhelmed to see the gestures of love by her husband Rishu. Her character grows in the film and Taapsee portrays it brilliantly. Vikrant's character also grows as the film progresses and he steals the show in this one. From the meek boy to the man who can go to any extent for love, he shows vulnerability, heartbreak, resolute, anger, passion, sacrifice and every emotion you can think of in the best possible way. He is the star in the film, and with Taapsee, it is a treat to watch them is sync and perform. Amongst them, Harshvardhan seems like a weak link, but his performance keeps the film afloat. There isn't much that he and his character Neel is given in the film, but he makes use of the material in the best possible way.

The music is brilliant and the songs are so perfect, in the story and otherwise. The cinematography captures the small-town off Jwalapur with perfection.

Overall, this film, at best is a one-time watch.