A Dance That Walks Straight Into Your Heart
Certain films make you smile. Certain films make you weep. And then, there are those films like Be Happy—those that keep your heart in their palms, wrap it around them, and burst it with such raw and heavenly emotions that you don’t even know when tears begin to pour. B
On the surface, Be Happy looks like a dance drama, but deep down, it’s so much more—it’s love, sacrifice, and the impenetrable father-daughter relationship. It’s about the unheard struggles a single father faces, the little pleasures that make life beautiful, and the unsaid feelings that hold a family together.
A Story That Speaks to the Soul
Shiv Rastogi, played by Abhishek Bachchan, is a lone father who is going the extra mile to take care of his young daughter, Dhara. Their universe is limited yet rich in love—Dhara’s irrepressible spirit, Shiv’s unobtrusive strength, and the omnipresent support of Tatta make for a home that is warm and down-to-earth.
Dhara’s aspiration to become a dancer isn’t merely stage-centric—it’s about self-discovery. Its about navigating through life especially when life tries to put you down. It’s about discovering that happiness can be for everybody. And for Shiv, it’s not merely supporting her—it’s about providing her with the childhood which her mother could have given if she was alive, about ensuring her laughter remains forever.
The film is a lovely reminder that parenting is not so much about giving; it’s about showing up, believing in your child when the world won’t, and letting them fly even when your own fears keep you grounded.
The Cuteness of Dhara – A Performance That Steals Your Heart
It’s not possible to discuss Be Happy without referencing the sheer joy that is Dhara, which is beautifully played by the exceptionally talented Inayat Verma. Her naivety, her playfulness, and her unwavering love for Shiv and Tatta(played by Nassar) make her one of the sweetest characters to ever appear on screen in recent times.
Her scenes are not only cute—she is heartbreaking. The way she hugs her Papa, the way she says “Papa” to him with so much love, the way she dries his tears when he is down—these aren’t just going to make you emotional; these are going to remind you what unconditional love is like.
Her chemistry with Abhishek Bachchan is enchanting. When they’re on screen, you sense the depth of their relationship—not as actors but as a real father and daughter coping with life side by side.
Shiv, Dhara, and Tatta – A Family Constructed from Love
Whereas Shiv and Dhara’s relationship is the core of the film, the soul of Be Happy is the three-generation connection between Shiv, Dhara, and Tatta.
Tatta is Shiv’s father-in-law. But a father, in every sense of the word. He isn’t Dhara’s grandfather—he is Shiv’s largest support system, his unobtrusive protector, the pillar who stands behind him when the world becomes too much to bear. He lost his own daughter, but he found a son in Shiv. And in Dhara, he found the will to live.
Nora Fatehi as Maggie is outstanding. No doubt she is a great dancer. For the first time Remo DSouza weaved her into the story and maintained a subtle love story amid the deep father-daughter drama.
Theirs is a relationship of humor, wisdom, and wordless understanding. Shiv’s pain is understood by Tatta, but he never lets him drown in it. Rather, he picks him up, reminding him that love is always greater than loss.
One of the loveliest things about the film is the way it captures fatherhood in its various forms—Shiv, learning to be the best father he can, and Tatta, still a father even when life has taken so much away from him. Their moments together are uncomplicated yet deep, full of little acts of love that convey more than words ever could.
Remo D’Souza’ Direction – A Masterpiece of Emotion
Sold as a dance drama, Be Happy would have been another typical underdog story about a girl pursuing her dreams. But Remo Fernandes’ direction turns it into something greater—it becomes a tribute to fatherhood, to family, to love pure and simple.
The dance scenes are stunning, but they are never at the forefront. Rather, Remo integrates them into Shiv and Dhara’s emotional arc. Each performance, each contest, each failure—it’s all a canvas for their developing relationship.
The manner in which Remo freezes the minute details—the manner in which Shiv glances at Dhara when she is not seeing, the manner in which Tatta keeps thinking about his son-in-law silently, the manner in which a house seems deserted when one’s beloved is not present—is nothing short of masterful.
The movie doesn’t shove feelings down your throat; it coaxes you to its universe subtly, and you end up laughing, crying, and most importantly, feeling.
The Deeper Message About Dance and Happiness
Dance is about happiness. It is a path to joy. Without happiness within us, we cannot dance. And in its lovely storytelling, Be Happy reminds us that we have to seek happiness in the small things. The little moments—a father’s beaming glance, a child’s pure laughter, a family holding together—these are what count.
And again, the film reminds us that daughters are little angels, particularly to their fathers. They bring light, love, and an unexplainable sense of purpose into a father’s life.
Final Thoughts – A Movie That Stays With You
I sobbed nearly through Be Happy. Not because it was depressing, but because it was so real, so gorgeous, and so filled with love and struggles. It reminded me of my own baby, of all those things we take for granted until they’re memories.
This is not a dance movie. It’s a love movie. About a father who will do anything for his daughter. About a daughter who wants only her father to be happy. About a father-in-law who never lost the role of being a father. About a family that shows that happiness is not in wealth or achievement—it’s in the ones who stand by you no matter what.
If you have a kid, watch this movie with them. If you have a dad, hug him after watching it. If you have both, hold them close. Because movies like Be Happy teach us the greatest truth—love makes life beautiful. Be Happy released direct to OTT and available to watch on Amazon Prime.
A definite must-watch.
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