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What does India think of Momal Sheikh's Bollywood debut?

What does India think of Momal Sheikh's Bollywood debut?

'Her character exudes superlative confidence,' says one review of Momal
25 Aug, 2016

It's unfortunate when a local artist's Bollywood debut gets banned in Pakistan, case in point: Momal Sheikh and her film Happy Bhag Jayegi.

The censor board agrees that the film is a "humorous movie" that provides "sarcastic entertainment", but also insists that "it is rather anti-Pakistan."

"There's a scene where the characters are standing under a portrait of Quaid-e-Azam and saying 'Aap kab tak hum se jhoot bulwayenge' and it was an obvious joke [mocking the Quaid]," said a source at the censor board.

"There are many such offensive hits towards Pakistan. Our security institutions are being demeaned. An average Pakistani would watch this and their blood would boil," the source asserts.

"We do promote entertainment but not when it's demeaning to our country. Dialogues like India ka namak pura Pakistan kha raha hai clash with our codes and regulations. There is also a lot of swearing and crass language in the film," the source adds.

Though people here didn't get a chance to see the screening of the film, across the border the film opened to mixed reviews. However, most critics lauded Momal Sheikh's performance .

Here's a round-up of what Indian publications had to say about the recently released film and the Pakistani actor's role in it.

From the Deccan Chronicle:

"If you have been waiting for a family entertainer, 'Happy Bhag Jayegi' is the answer to your prayers.

Undoubtedly the actors are the strongest pillars of the film. To begin with, Abhay Deol just steals the show. Ali Fazal is funny and spontaneous as an idle college dropout. Diana Penty will surely surprise you as a brave Punjabi girl. Diana, who had debuted with 'Cocktail', steals the spotlight in every frame. Jimmy Sheirgill once again loses his bride, and makers have encashed this trick very well. One can’t help but feel pity for his character while stepping out of the theatre. Momal Sheikh has few scenes in the film but she is watchable as a possessive classy fiancée."

From Bollywood Hungama:

"Despite the fact that the film's screenplay is predictable, it's the treatment that makes the film entertaining. The humour in the film is excellent and works magic in the first half. The second half however slows down due to multiple subplots and romantic angles, some of which seem quite forced.

Making her debut in Bollywood is Momal Sheikh whose approach towards her character exudes superlative confidence. Besides the fact that Happy Bhag Jayegi is her Bollywood debut in which she had been pitted alongside seasoned actors, the conviction with which she handles her character is highly commendable. Ali Fazal, on the other hand, delivers what was required of him in the role of a lover boy."

From NDTV:

"Happy Bhag Jayegi seeks to provide clean entertainment. The language is antiseptic, the women aren't objectified, and the men aren't lousy louts even when their actions aren't particularly edifying. These are small mercies that add up to a lot.

Momal Sheikh, in her first big screen release, is a welcome addition to the growing tribe of Pakistani actresses trying their luck in Mumbai films. While Jimmy Sheirgill is treated rather shabbily by the script, Piyush Mishra gets the best lines. The latter revels in the opportunity and provides the film's brighter moments."

From Indian Express:

"The premise of Happy Bhag Jayegi, promises you some good chuckles, but all too soon, the pleasures of the film dwindle, and we are left to fend for ourselves, looking for something that will make us laugh, even if it is weak laughter. There is some of it, but it is far too intermittent.

Good to see Abhay Deol back in the groove after his disastrous previous outing One By Two, and the very pretty very swish-in-her-designer-threads Momal Sheikh (a popular TV actor who also happens to be Javed Sheikh’s daughter) gives him something to work on. The third angle in this triangle is touched upon but its potential is never fully realised. And that goes for the film as a whole. When will our films be better written?"

From First Post:

What the trailer of Happy Bhag Jayegi does not reveal is that the film’s best moments have been packed into it, and there is nothing much else it has to say.

These are among the few moments of maturity in the screenplay. The others come in the atypical portrayal of the film’s Punjabis (they do not call out “Balle Balle” or dance the Bhangra at the drop of a hat) and in the writing of Zoya (Momal Sheikh). She could have easily been pigeonholed as the evil doosri aurat (other woman) in the hero’s life, but somewhere along the way, a spot of nuance enters the picture and she becomes more than that lazy stereotype. One of the film’s nicest scenes is the one in which she urges Bilal to make his own life decisions rather than bowing to his father’s wishes at all times.

Not too bad for a debut!

Comments

Arif Maroof Aug 25, 2016 01:18pm
From the description of scenes, it definitely deserved to be banned. Momal sheikh best of luck with your career.
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Sachin Aug 25, 2016 01:20pm
I didn't like the movie and the actress never left coffee in the movie
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Oak Sage Aug 25, 2016 01:48pm
Good Luck!
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NNA Aug 25, 2016 01:52pm
I agree that this movie should be banend. By the way, who is momal sheikh ? Her only identity is Javed Sheikh's daughter. She has not done any valuable work in Pakistan let alone in bollywood. She was a supporting actress in this movie and not a lead that her Once in a lifetime opportunity is being taken away by the censor board.
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NAUSHEEN M Aug 25, 2016 01:56pm
She is not there in posters, we read what Bollywood thinks of her and here she is; thinking "Bollywood is warmer and kinder than the Pakistani film industry". Good luck lady, you get to work even in Pakistan only because of your father's name. Welcome to reality!
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Sam Aug 25, 2016 02:19pm
I loved her acting , she did a wonderful role. Hope to see her in more movies soon. And she is very cute.
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Amrita Aug 25, 2016 03:06pm
Momal Sheikh was seen in only expression in every frame. Good for her the script didn't demand her to be present in too many frames. She is a look alike of Divya Dutta, the seasoned Indian actress. Hope Momal can learn from her.
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Aamer Aug 25, 2016 04:12pm
Momal is a supporting cast not the main lead. i say other pakistani girls did much better work than her, but still they didn't make it in Bollywood so what chance does Momal has? Plus when Pakistani actor's sign Indian movies they must read the script and make sure that its not against Pakistan iin any way. Now the film maker can say 'its not against Pakistan because a Pakistani actress worked in this movie. Plus Pakisatani girls should know by now no matter how good they are, they are not good enough to become stars in Bollywood. Its Better to be a Pakistani star like Babra Sharif, Neeli, Reema, Sahiba, Ruby, Saima, Resham and Zara Sheikh who worked with Dignity and are no less than Maduri, Kajol, Aishwaria, Depika or Prianka when it come to talent and popularity.
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Adeel Aug 25, 2016 05:59pm
Proud of our censor board. Keep up the good work.
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Rajesh Aug 25, 2016 06:28pm
Today I just saw the movie. There is nothing offensive in the film against Pakistan. It just , in fact, promotes freindship. Politicians of both countries should watch it , instead of war mongering. And also, Momal Sheikh is just superb,
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Jyoti Parkash Aug 25, 2016 11:04pm
I watched this movie , nice movie and lot of positive things for Pakistan . After watching you feel you should visit Pakistan. Momal sheikh expression for her roles are perfect beside acting. Strange to know that movie is banned in pakistan
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Changez_Khan Aug 26, 2016 02:58am
Looks like Momal Sheikh passed Bollywood debut. Congratulations to her and too bad it was banned in Pakistan due to anti-Pakistan (according to censor board).
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Yousefzai Aug 26, 2016 04:09am
I have watched the movie and It was very hilarious and Loved it, Of course there were a little stereotypical things like every man in Pakistan is wearing a Topi ,almost every man is bearded and wearing an Arabic scarf on his shoulder, I mean common we have people like but its not that whole Pakistani wearing the same uniform and for God sake don't show these many camels. The first time I saw a camel in Pakistan, It was in 2007 when I visited Karachi for the first time, I was 22 at that time and it too was for tourists. The amount of camels I saw in Bhajrangi Bhaijan, I have never seen in my whole life.
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Satya Aug 26, 2016 07:06am
I have seen the movie the scene about which people are saying to be anti Pakistan is totally wrong. Either they are fools or thinks others are by providing silly point to ban a cross border movie.
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VikasM Aug 26, 2016 08:59am
This is one movie that shows the human side of both India and Pakistan in a refreshing and entertaining manner. I don't know what the censor board found in the script that was offensive towards Pakistan. The reference to Jinnah scene which was an obvious dig at the mindset, is something that most people confess to in a frank manner. Films are not sterile products, they have to be lively and conversational in nature.
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Ab Aug 26, 2016 09:23am
Zoya (Momal Seikh) is superb.. Calm,Composed and blunt in dialogues.. Hope we can see her in more Hindi Films.
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Tauseef Shaukat Aug 26, 2016 09:37am
I don't think the movie should've been banned, we all know how banning is sooooo effective in discouraging people from watching any movie that has been banned (read NOT). Besides, we need to have our hubris and our views challenged from time to time lest we fall complacent to the hubris of our own ideas. You cannot possibly isolate yourself or your people from the world. They will be exposed to ideas that you don't like anyway. Personally I am not much of a fan of romcoms but I think we should allow ourselves to be exposed to all sorts of view points and ideas and if we are to reply we ought do it with words and ideas of our own rather than going with knee jerk reactions like banning a movie.
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Malik Aug 26, 2016 11:10am
I watched this movie "Happy Bhag jaigi" in Toronto Cinema and found nothing wrong in it which forced the censor board to ban this movie. However, the movie is an average. The dialogues and screenplay is a bit week. Momal Sheikh has done a good job and justified her character of a typical Asian insecure fiancee. overall its a time-pass movie.
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Farwa Aug 26, 2016 11:54am
So Indians din't forget to mention Quaid even here. Good to see Indians could not forget a man who alone fought against British Imperialism & Indian chauvinism & won the battle of Pakistan. :-D
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Awesome Lyrics Aug 26, 2016 08:49pm
Saw the movie with family, must say I did not find anything offensive. Are we immature to not take humor
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