Happy Sardar

Happy Sardar
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Sudip Joshy Geethika Sudip
Written by	Sudip Joshy Geethika Sudip
Produced by	Haseeb Haneef Joshvin Joy Shwetha Karthik
Starring	Kalidas Jayaram Merin Philip Javed Jaffrey
Cinematography	Abinandhan Ramanujam
Edited by	Shameer Muhammed
Music by	Gopi Sunder
Production companies	Achicha Films Desi Flicks
Distributed by	E4 Entertainment
Release date	28 November 2019 (2019-11-28)
Running time	153 minutes
Country	India
Language	Malayalam

Happy Sardar ^[1] is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy-drama film co-written and directed by debutant directorial duo Sudip Joshy and Geethika Sudip. An Indian remake of the French film Serial (Bad) Weddings , it is the first Malayalam film directed by a couple. ^{[2] [3]} The film received negative reviews from critics.

Synopsis

Happy Singh is a happy-go-lucky young man who was born to a Punjabi father Inderpal Singh and a Malayali mother Annamma. He falls in love with Mary Kochara, the youngest daughter of Joyce Kochara and Reetha Kochara.

Happy Sardar narrates how Happy and Mary win over each other's parents and get married with their blessings. ^[4]

Cast

• Kalidas Jayaram as Harvinder "Happy" Singh ^[5]
• Merin Philip as Mary Kochara / Mary Harvinder Singh
• Javed Jaffrey as Inderpal Singh, Happy's father
• Praveena as Annamma, Happy's mother
• Siddique as Joyce Kochara, Mary's father
• Maala Parvathi as Reetha Kochara, Mary's mother ^[6]
• Sreenath Bhasi as Sharaff, Happy's friend and Pammi's husband
• Sharaf U Dheen as Kaakku, Mary's family friend
• Balu Varghese as Iqbaal Moos
• Zinil Sainudeen as Jithendra Varma
• Baiju Santhosh as Happy's uncle
• Chippy Devassy as Jeena Kochra / Jeena Jithendra Varma
• Akhila Mohan as Sophie Kochara / Sophie Iqbaal
• Sebastian Sebooty as Adv. Rendev
• Sithara Vijayan as Annie Kochara / Annie Rendev
• Siddhi Mahajankatti as Pammi Kaur, Mary's friend, Happy's family friend and Sharaff's wife
• Sibi Thomas as Happy's uncle
• Anoop Chandran as Father Bernard Idikkula
• Vijilesh Karayad
• Sajan Palluruthy
• Dinesh Mohan as Joginder Singh, Pammi's father
• Anjo Nair as Mrs. Joginder, Pammi's mother
• Surabhi Santosh as herself (cameo appearance)

Production

Casting

Kalidas Jayaram, Javed Jaffrey and Siddique

In February 2019, it was reported that Kalidas Jayaram will be playing the male lead along with Bollywood actor Javed Jaffrey in an important role. ^{[7] [8]} On 16 February, Jaffrey was confirmed to be playing Kalidas's father with Merin Philip as the female lead. ^[9] Merin was previously seen in Poomaram starring Kalidas in a supporting role. ^[10] Kalidas joined the sets in Patiala in March 2019. ^[11] Times of India reported on 19 September that Kalidas, playing a Sikh character will have Aanandam fame Siddhi Mahajankatti as the female lead. ^[12]

Reception

Critical reception

Happy Sardar received negative reviews from critics.

Deepa Soman of The Times of India rated the film 2.5/5 stars and described Happy Sardar as "a tale of romance sans chemistry." She wrote, "The film seems to neither care much about establishing why the duo are so into each other, nor does it really bother to captivate the audience. At times, the couple’s journey is even stretched to the point of extreme Bollywood-sque disbelief. ... Happy Sardar might impress those who care the best about a colourful narration, even in the absence of a story with a strong spine." ^[13]

Sajin Shrijith of The New Indian Express and Cinema Express rated the film 1/5 stars and described it as "a ridiculously staged rom-com". He wrote, "This is a ridiculously plotted and staged romantic comedy that is ultimately neither funny nor romantic. It’s a needlessly prolonged and overstuffed film that overstays its welcome and makes you want to hide in a corner for some time, like Shammi in Kumbalangi Nights , till you begin to feel 'normal' again. ^{[14] [15]}

References

1. "Happy Sardar is a comedy on a North-South culture clash - Times of India". The Times of India. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
2. "Happy Sardar Movie Review: A tale of romance sans chemistry", The Times of India, retrieved 22 June 2020
3. "'Happy Sardar' is directed by a couple - Times of India". The Times of India. 30 November 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
4. "'Happy Sardar' review: A ridiculously staged rom-com". The New Indian Express. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
5. "Kalidas plays a Sikh in Malayalam film 'Happy Sardar'".
6. "Maala Parvathy clarifies her agony at the Happy Sardar sets - Times of India". The Times of India . 31 July 2019.
7. "Kalidas Jayaram, Javed Jaffrey team up in Happy Sardar - Times of India". The Times of India. 10 February 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
8. Kalidas Jayaram's next is ‘Happy Sardar’ - The News Minute (2 August 2019)
9. Sidhardhan, Sanjith (16 February 2019). "Javed Jaffrey plays Kalidas' father in Happy Sardar". The Times of India . Retrieved 28 September 2025.
10. Madhu, Vignesh (17 February 2019). "Merin Philip to play the female lead in Kalidas Jayaram's Happy Sardar". onlookersmedia. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
11. "Kalidas Jayaram joins the sets of Happy Sardar in Patiala - Times of India". The Times of India. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
12. Happy Sardar brings another Mallu sardar on screen soon - Times of India (19 September 2019)
13. Soman, Deepa (18 November 2019). "Happy Sardar Movie Review: A tale of romance sans chemistry". The Times of India . Retrieved 29 September 2025.
14. Shrijith, Sajin (29 November 2019). "'Happy Sardar' review: A ridiculously staged rom-com". The New Indian Express . Retrieved 29 September 2025.
15. Shrijith, Sajin (28 November 2019). "'Happy Sardar' review: A ridiculously staged rom-com". Cinema Express . Retrieved 29 September 2025.

External links

• Happy Sardar at IMDb