Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba isn’t just a sequel—it’s a brazen, unapologetic plunge into the murky waters of love, lust, and deceit. Building on the foundation laid by its predecessor, this film refines the formula, delivering a heady mix of suspense and sensuality that grips you from the outset.
It’s the kind of film that revels in its own excess, daring you to look away even as it pulls you deeper into its tangled web of morally ambiguous characters and deliciously trashy plot twists.
Plot and Themes: The Perfect Pulp
Set against the backdrop of a grimy, atmospheric Agra, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba continues the tumultuous saga of Rani (Taapsee Pannu) and Rishu (Vikrant Massey), two lovers on the run, forever entangled in a toxic dance of desire and destruction. Their tale is one of obsession and survival, where love is as much a weapon as it is a refuge.
The film’s themes of amoral romance and betrayal are straight out of the pages of the grubby paperbacks it lovingly pays homage to—Khooni Ishq and Pyaar Ka Darinda—where characters would rather kill than lose in love. The film doesn’t just flirt with the darker side of romance; it dives in headfirst, unafraid to explore the dangerous liaisons that bind its characters.
Characters and Performances: Stealing the Show
Taapsee Pannu’s Rani is a masterclass in complexity. She embodies a woman who is both predator and prey, her motives as twisted as her affections. Pannu plays her with a raw, seductive energy, making Rani a character you root for even when you know you shouldn’t.
Vikrant Massey, as Rishu, provides the perfect foil, bringing a haunting vulnerability to a man driven to desperate measures by love. His unwavering devotion to Rani, even as it leads him down a path of no return, is both tragic and deeply moving.
Sunny Kaushal’s Abhimanyu, the ‘mar-mitne-wala-aashiq’, adds a fresh layer to the narrative, making a well-worn trope feel new again. Kaushal imbues his character with a disarming charm that makes his descent into the dark side all the more compelling.
But it’s Jimmy Sheirgill, as the relentless investigator Mrityunjay, who truly commands attention. His portrayal of a man who lives by the credo of the ‘kadhphodwa’—pecking away at his prey until they break—is chillingly effective. The only hiccup is the inconsistency in his character’s name pronunciation, which, though minor, is noticeable.
Direction and Cinematography: Atmosphere Over Authenticity
Director Jayprad Desai doubles down on the lurid, pulp-fiction aesthetic, creating a world that is as visually striking as it is narratively sordid. The use of Agra’s iconic landmarks, while not the most original choice, adds to the film’s atmosphere, even if it occasionally feels contrived.
The Taj Mahal and the Yamuna are backdrops to passion and peril, their beauty contrasting sharply with the ugliness of the acts they witness. The cinematography is richly textured, capturing both the grit and the glamour of this dangerous love story.
Dialogues and Script: Hits and Misses
The script, penned by Kanika Dhillon, is a mixed bag. When it works, it sings, particularly in the way it imbues the characters with a humanity that makes their transgressions feel relatable, even forgivable.
However, some dialogues are a little too on-the-nose, spelling out what could have been left tantalizingly unsaid. The film shines brightest when it leans into its pulpy roots, delivering twists and turns that keep you guessing, even if some are more predictable than others.
Final Thoughts: A Guilty Pleasure Done Right
Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba is a film that knows exactly what it wants to be—a grown-up, morally ambiguous thriller that revels in the messiness of love and the darkness it can breed. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t need to be.
The film is a thrilling ride through a world where the lines between right and wrong are blurred, where passion can turn deadly, and where the heart wants what it wants, consequences be damned.
If you’re a fan of stories that don’t shy away from the ugly side of romance, where the characters are as flawed as they are fascinating, then Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba is your kind of film. It’s a deliciously wicked concoction that leaves you wanting more—more twists, more drama, and more of that intoxicating blend of love and danger. Here’s hoping the next installment, if there is one, continues to push the boundaries of what a Hindi film can be in this genre.