Happy Days!
I know. Finally a review, huh? I wrote this a couple of weeks ago but never finished it. But I finally saw it. I haaaad to watch it because of the director, Shekar Kammula, who also directed Anand and Godavari, which I enjoyed! Honestly, I've been looking for this film for a while and it was just a treat to find out it was directed by Shekar. I have a soft spot for high school/college movies. Plus I rarely find a film that focuses on high school or college in Bollywood. A few that comes to mind are Mere Pehla Pehla Pyar and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (I have to add that JJWS is a re-make of the Hollywood film, Breaking Away)
I know. Finally a review, huh? I wrote this a couple of weeks ago but never finished it. But I finally saw it. I haaaad to watch it because of the director, Shekar Kammula, who also directed Anand and Godavari, which I enjoyed! Honestly, I've been looking for this film for a while and it was just a treat to find out it was directed by Shekar. I have a soft spot for high school/college movies. Plus I rarely find a film that focuses on high school or college in Bollywood. A few that comes to mind are Mere Pehla Pehla Pyar and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (I have to add that JJWS is a re-make of the Hollywood film, Breaking Away)
What I liked about Happy Days is the portrayal of friendship of the group of Freshman friends who headed out to college and graduated together. Yes, the film starts off with their Freshman year to their graduating senior year. There were moments of disagreements but through it all, they all managed to overcome all obstacles.
So, no, there is nothing "new" to add to a tale of college kids trying to finish school. However, the film is shot very simple and well-done.
Another interesting fact to point is Shekar selected 7 out of the 8 characters due to talent casting! The only one who already had some movies under her belt was Tamannaah Bhatia. The other 7 were strictly hand-selected to fit the characters. The best thing is you wouldn't even know that. That's how natural they are!
Although the film obviously focused more on Chandu and Madhu, each one of the characters stand out and makes you remember him/her. But the guys do have more screen time because they are focus a bit more.
Chandu (Varun Sandesh) - the cute guy who starts to like Madhu more than a friend
Madhu (Tamannaah Bhatia) - pretty, bubbly girl who one of the senior guy has a crush on and constantly is harass by him
Appu (Gayatri Rao) - tomboyish girl who secretly has a crush on Rajesh.
Rajesh (Nikhil Siddharth) - the once rockstar-long haired boy who cracks jokes and has a huge crush on the teacher, who is known as "Madam Shreya"
Shanker (Vamsee Krishna) - a poor guy from the village, who Tyson is fond of and wants him to succeed. He laters dates Sangeetha, who has a senior brother.
Sangeetha (Monali Chowdhary ) - her relationship with Shanker starts to cause the group to drift apart later.
Shravanthi (Sonia) - Older than the gang but hangs out with them at times to please Tyson, who is very adamant about going out with him
Tyson (Raahul ) - smart, sweet, dorky guy who is totally smitten by Shravanthi
Loooooove Kamalinee Mukherjee. Obviously, so does Shekar since she has been in his last two films, Anand and Godavari.
Even though she's not one of the main characters. Her role as the sexy teacher was a pleasure to see. Gosh, she looks sooooo stunning in the sarees!
Instead of an Intermission, you have a Summer Break
which reminds me of Godavari's Cool Break
Just like Anand and Godavari, music is wonderful!
Song #1 - "Jil Jil Jaga"
College days with the gang
Watch Below
Song #2 - "Arey Rey"
Falling in love
Watch Below
Song #3 - "Ye Cheekati"
Freshers celebrating
Watch Below
Song #4 - "Oh My Friend"
Friends hanging out
My absolute favorite song from the film. So beautiful and the lyrics are touching.
Watch Below
Song #5 - "Veedukole"
Farewell party and memories, good and bad, of the college times
Watch Below
I just love when the friends hang out and the frienship portrayed
Film isn't all "Happy Days." Starting off as freshers, they were often bullied by the upper classmen.
And how do they settle this once and for all? A cricket match of course!
Check out the International Terroist t-shirt, hehehe
Jealousy gets the best of Madhu and Appu if they don't listen to their hearts
I spy an Aishwarya Rai poster
Oh yes, a picture of the Telugu Prince, Mahesh Babu
I made a lot of extra caps of Varun Sandesh but had to delete a lot. He's got a cute, baby face and it still amazes me that this was his debut film. Of course, the rest of the "main" cast, as well...but he is such a cutie. BTW, he's an NRI - grew up in New Jersey, USA.
I look forward to watching more of Sekhar Kammula films.
Happy Days is definitely worth a watch. However, my favorite is still Anand. Unlike in Anand and Godavari, the females were the main focus, Happy Days had sassy females too but shifted towards the guys' friendship more.
Just like Anand and Godavari, music is wonderful!
Song #1 - "Jil Jil Jaga"
College days with the gang
Watch Below
Song #2 - "Arey Rey"
Falling in love
Watch Below
Song #3 - "Ye Cheekati"
Freshers celebrating
Watch Below
Song #4 - "Oh My Friend"
Friends hanging out
My absolute favorite song from the film. So beautiful and the lyrics are touching.
Watch Below
Song #5 - "Veedukole"
Farewell party and memories, good and bad, of the college times
Watch Below
I just love when the friends hang out and the frienship portrayed
Film isn't all "Happy Days." Starting off as freshers, they were often bullied by the upper classmen.
And how do they settle this once and for all? A cricket match of course!
Check out the International Terroist t-shirt, hehehe
Jealousy gets the best of Madhu and Appu if they don't listen to their hearts
I spy an Aishwarya Rai poster
Oh yes, a picture of the Telugu Prince, Mahesh Babu
I made a lot of extra caps of Varun Sandesh but had to delete a lot. He's got a cute, baby face and it still amazes me that this was his debut film. Of course, the rest of the "main" cast, as well...but he is such a cutie. BTW, he's an NRI - grew up in New Jersey, USA.
I look forward to watching more of Sekhar Kammula films.
Happy Days is definitely worth a watch. However, my favorite is still Anand. Unlike in Anand and Godavari, the females were the main focus, Happy Days had sassy females too but shifted towards the guys' friendship more.
