Cast: Meezaan Jafri, Divya Khosla Kumar, Yash Dasgupta, Pearl V Puri.

Director: Radhika Rao & Vinay Sapru.

Rating: 3.5 Moons

Released : In Theatres

The official remake of Anjali Menon’s 2014 Malayalam rom-com drama Bangalore Days takes viewers on a heartfelt journey through the lives of three cousins who are inseparable friends. Directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, known for their dreamy sequences in films like Lucky No Time for Love (2005) and Sanam Teri Kasam (2016), in Yaariyan 2 the director duo shifts their focus from extreme love stories to the bond between these three flawed cousins — Shikhar (Meezaan), Bajju (Pearl V Puri) and Ladli (Divya Khosla Kumar). The film reminds audiences of the long-length music videos that Radhika and Vinay have made for Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series in the past.

Ladli is a small town spoilt girl in search of Prince Charming who finds her home in Abhay (Yash Dasgupta) who has a bitter past. Shikhar, a hot head who was abandoned by his father and wants to be a biker, finds true love in Ikroor, a physically-challenged but free-spirited soul. Bajju is religious and honest but gets betrayed by his air hostess girlfriend. Fortunately, a kindly and well-meaning stranger brings happiness in his life. The film has plenty of glitz and glamour but it is the soundtrack that stands out with songs for happiness, marriages, sadness and heartbreak that makes Yaariyan 2 one of Bollywood’s best recent musicals. The film has its high points and low, and some are terribly flat even, but the underlying stories of relationships that the characters share are sensitively explored.

The characters, portrayed convincingly by Meezaan, Pearl and Divya, have their own backstories and real-time struggles that run parallel. Divya comes as a revelation. Meezaan shows potential. Pearl is convincing in his debut performance. Yash delivers a standout performance. But Warina Hussain, Priya Warrier and Lillete Dubey have very brief appearances. The film’s big drawback is its length, which may test the patience of viewers. But the pace in the second half is brisk and engaging as the three main characters find closure in their respective plotlines with satisfying solutions. Yaariyan 2 is a worthy watch for fans of 2014’s Yaariyan and its nostalgic music.