“Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba” is the sequel to the 2021 hit Haseen Dillruba, continuing the tale of love, deceit, and crime with a twisted turn. Directed by Vinil Mathew and written by Kanika Dhillon, this sequel delves deeper into complex relationships and dark themes that had audiences in a spell through the original. With Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, and Harshvardhan Rane playing the lead characters, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba has been in the news for uniting many more layers of intrigue and tension as the film turns out to be an absolute killer.
Plotting and Setting
Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba takes off from the unfinished mysteries of the first film, locating itself in the aftermath of certain turbulent events that marked the original. The sequel retained the love triangle between its central characters—Rani, essayed by Taapsee Pannu, Rishu, essayed by Vikrant Massey, and Neel, essayed by Harshvardhan Rane—while introducing new twists that reset the freshness and make the narrative brisk.
The action is set in a small town, and this becomes integral to the fostering of a feeling of claustrophobia that raises tension between characters. The town itself is hidden with secrets and undercurrents of gossip, almost turning it into a silent witness to the drama that unfolds. The plot threads its way through past and present, unraveling more about the mysterious persona that Rani is and the dark consequences her choice unleashes.
Characterization and Performances
Yet again, Taapsee Pannu steals the show, essaying a nearly sensuous, dangerous woman in Rani. She makes this character so muddled between passion and survival that it automatically pulls the viewer into her world of dark secrets and moral ambiguity. Vikrant Massey returns as the beleaguered Rishu in the sequel, with a more nuanced act that chisels the vulnerability of a man who is entrapped in somebody’s game of lies. Harshvardhan Rane adds to this dynamic through his character Neel, whose entry is enough to get the tension and conflict back from where it had left off in the first one.
Now, the character development forms the USP of Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba. With each cutting a different shade, the additions bring new dimensions to the storyline. The chemistry remains a driving point, with their interactions full of longing, mistrust, and danger.
Direction and Cinematography
In the sequel, Vinil Mathew has retained much of the Haseen Dillruba style—essentially a romance, a thriller, and a noir. The pace of the film is measured and promotes suspense but never lets go of the underlying tension. The mood of the film was excellently captured through its cinematography by use of light and shadow to better the mystery and drama. The close-ups play their part very effectively to drive in the intensity of the characters, and the small-town setting was rendered atmospheric with almost a sense of claustrophobia.
The background score played a big part in setting this vibe, where the compositions were really in sync with the dark, sensuous vibe of the film.
Critical Reception
Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba has received mixed to positive reviews. While most cinematic reviewers have praised the film for its bold narrative choices and convincing acting, others say that the sequel—engaging as it is—really didn’t catch the freshness of the original. Some have lauded how melodrama and plot twists keep one on their toes; for others, it was too much. Nevertheless, it is Taapsee Pannu’s act that stands out; she makes her character Rani so compelling.
The film has bagged an average rating of 3.5 to 4 stars out of 5, citing strengths in terms of character development and atmosphere but tempered somewhat by comparisons with the predecessor. For fans of the original, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba offers a satisfying continuation of the story filled with a similar brew of romance, mystery, and danger that helped make the first a success.
