Director Mudassar Aziz and producer Aanand L Rai have united again to come up with Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi (2018), the sequel to their 2016 romantic drama Happy Bhag Jayegi. The star cast, producers and directors gathered together to launch the trailer of the upcoming film.
Diana Penty, who plays the titular character of Happy will have company in another Happy, played by Sonakshi Sinha.
Penty welcomed Sonakshi to the franchise. "I couldn’t be happier that Sonakshi was the one to play [the other] Happy in this film. She is really, nice, chilled out and full of happiness. It fit perfectly," she said.
Sinha, too, was happy to be working with Penty. “I was looking forward to work with Diana. I liked the first film. I knew, like the first film, this too will make you happy. We had a wonderful time shooting," she said.
The Dabangg (2010) actress further stated that she always desired to work with producer Rai and director Aziz and there was no way she could have refused them.
They share a common name in the film, but director Aziz stated that the two Happys were two different personalities.
“They are very different girls, but they represent the same emotion, which is happiness. While picking the title for the first time, I have always believed that happiness is one emotion in your life that if you don’t look after it, it will run away. That for me has always been what the title stands for,” Aziz explained.
Aziz also clarified why he made the second film. “It was the responsibility of the writer to ensure that the innocence, honesty of the first film is to be maintained [in the sequel]. When I approached Aanand L Rai, he, too, felt that it was important not lose to the thing that the audience has liked. Our intention was not to make any sequel, or have a franchise, but we felt this story has touched people and it ought to be told again,” Aziz said.
Punjabi singer Jassie Gill makes his debut in Hindi cinema with Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi. The singer was just thrilled to be working with Sinha. “Let alone act, I never thought I could even get to meet Sonakshi,” said Gill, who also revealed that Sinha is very much into Punjabi music.
For Aparshakti Khurana, it was destiny that he became part of the film. “I remember how I after watching Happy Bhag Jayegi I had event sent a text message to Mudassar, telling him how much like the film, and I’d also said if ever makes another such film, then please think of me. It now looks like he’s answered the message.”
Producer Aanand L Rai said that Jimmy Sheirgill couldn’t make it to the launch due to unavoidable circumstances. Sheirgill has made a name for himself as the lover who never gets the girl in the film. Rai was asked whether that would change for Sheirgill in this film.
“My friend, he’s not getting the girl, but he’s scoring more. So, I believe let him continue with that. It’s good to have a cute looking man remain a bachelor for long,” said Rai.
Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi will be out in theatres on 24 August.