Directors: Vir Das, Kavi Shastri
Rating: ⭐⭐1/2
Produced by Aamir Khan Productions—a banner known for perfectionism—"Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos" is a chaotic, irreverent deviation from their usual norm. Marking Vir Das's directorial debut (alongside Kavi Shastri), the film is a spiritual successor to the bold, adult humor of Delhi Belly, but with a goofier, more slapstick heart. It is a film where logic takes a backseat to lunacy.
If you enjoy "brain-dead" comedies where the plot is just an excuse for madness, this is your weekend watch. If you prefer structured storytelling, this might feel like a fever dream.
The Plot: The Spy Who Couldn't
Happy Patel (Vir Das) is an endearing disaster. An NRI living in London, he is the adopted son of two retired British agents. Despite failing his spy exams multiple times and being more interested in cooking and ballet than ballistics, destiny (and a lack of other options) forces him onto a high-stakes mission.
His target? Mama (Mona Singh), a ruthless, fairness-cream-obsessed crime lord operating out of Goa. Mama has kidnapped a high-profile scientist to create a formula for instant skin lightening. Happy is sent to Panjim to retrieve the scientist, armed only with his clumsiness and a refusal to give up. What follows is a comedy of errors involving misunderstandings, eccentric goons, and a vendetta that links Mama's past to Happy's adoptive fathers.
Performances
Vir Das as Happy Patel: Vir Das channels the energy of Austin Powers meets Johnny English, but with a distinct "NRI trying too hard" flavor. He commits fully to the physical comedy—prancing in ballet shoes, assembling guns incorrectly, and delivering lines with a confused innocence that makes the character lovable despite his incompetence.
Mona Singh as Mama: The undisputed show-stealer. Mona Singh chews the scenery as the villain. She balances menace with hilarity perfectly, playing a "Lady Don" who is as terrifying as she is ridiculous. Her obsession with fairness creams provides a layer of social satire that lands well.
The Cameos:
Imran Khan: His return to the screen is a nostalgia trip for fans of Delhi Belly. His deadpan delivery fits the tone of the movie like a glove.
Aamir Khan: appearing as the flamboyant Don "Jimmy Mario" in a flashback/prologue, Aamir reminds us that he can be effortlessly funny when he lets loose.
Supporting Cast:
Sharib Hashmi and Mithila Palkar provide solid support, grounding some of the film's wilder moments, though Palkar’s role often feels secondary to the chaos around her.Direction and Writing
The writing duo of Vir Das and Amogh Ranadive prioritizes "vibes" over plot. The humor is a mix of witty one-liners, adult jokes, and physical gags.
The Good: The film doesn't take itself seriously. It spoofs the "hyper-masculine spy" trope effectively. The dialogue is sharp, often breaking the fourth wall or relying on meta-humor that fans of Vir Das's stand-up will recognize.
The Bad: The pacing is uneven. The "slow burn" setup in the first half tests patience before the chaotic second half kicks in. Some jokes—particularly the recurring NRI stereotypes—feel repetitive by the end.
Technical Aspects
Visuals: The film has a polished, "overproduced" look that mimics high-budget spy thrillers, which adds to the parody element. The Goa locations are shot vibrantly, contrasting the sunny beaches with the dark humor.
Action: The action sequences are choreographed to be deliberately messy. Instead of slick combat, you get accidental takedowns and kitchen-utensil warfare.
Box Office & Reception
Audience Pulse: Early reactions are polarized. The youth and urban audiences (especially fans of stand-up comedy) are loving the absurdity. Traditional family audiences might find the "adult" nature of the humor and the lack of a serious plot off-putting.
Critical Reception: Critics have praised the performances (especially Mona Singh) but criticized the thin screenplay. It is being called a "risky comedy" that works only if you buy into its specific brand of madness.
Final Word
Watch it if: You miss the Delhi Belly era of Bollywood, love Vir Das’s brand of humor, or just want to laugh at something silly without overthinking.
Skip it if: You are looking for a serious spy thriller like Pathaan or Raazi, or if slapstick comedy annoys you.
Highlights:
Mona Singh’s villainous turn.
The Aamir Khan and Imran Khan cameos.
Unapologetically silly dialogue.
Lowlights:
Uneven pacing in the first hour.
Some jokes land flat or feel too "niche."
