PremiumFrom Manmarziyaan to Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, a look at Kanika Dhillon's unconventional storytelling
Kanika Dhillon is the maverick screenwriter behind Bollywood’s most riveting narratives.
Last Updated: 03.31 PM, Aug 08, 2024
With the highly anticipated arrival of Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba on August 9, 2024, on Netflix, it's the right time to look back at the impressive career of Kanika Dhillon, a truly unique screenwriter. Dhillon has made a name for herself in the film industry with a wide range of films, from romantic comedies to psychological thrillers, thanks to her incisive narrative and captivating characters. Manmarziyaan, Haseen Dillruba, Judgementall Hai Kya, and Guilty are just a few of the critically acclaimed and unforgettable films that she has worked on with some of the best directors in Bollywood. As he works on new projects, Dhillon keeps challenging conventions and giving Indian films new ideas.
Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, starring Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, Sunny Kaushal, and Jimmy Sheirgill, promises to be another captivating addition to her impressive filmography.
Films penned by Kanika Dhillon
Ra.One (JioCinema)
Anubhav Sinha directed the 2011 superhero flick Ra.One. David Benullo, Kanika Dhillon, and Mushtaq Shiekh were the other writers on the screenplay with Sinha. Cast members include Arjun Rampal, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tom Wu, Dalip Tahil, Shahana Goswami, Armaan Verma, and Shah Rukh Khan, who plays a dual character in the film.
After losing to Prateek (Armaan Verma), the son of Ra. One's creator Shekhar Subramaniam (Shah Rukh Khan), in a video game, the antagonist Ra. One (Arjun Rampal) escapes from the virtual world and arrives in the real world to seek out Lucifer. In order to save himself and his family from Ra. One, Prateek revives G. One (SRK), the hero of the video game and a physical replica of Shekhar. Ra. One kills Shekhar.
Size Zero (ZEE5 [OTTplay Premium]; Prime Video)
Prakash Kovelamudi directed and Kanika Dhillon wrote the 2015 romantic comedy Size Zero. The makers simultaneously shot the Telugu and Tamil versions of the film, naming the Tamil version Inji Iduppazhagi. Prasad V. Potluri produces the film, which features Anushka Shetty in the lead role and Arya, Prakash Raj, Urvashi, and Sonal Chauhan in supporting roles.
A strong-willed, self-reliant woman named Soundarya (or Sweety) struggles with her weight. While she does not let it define her, she does feel a twinge of self-consciousness about her weight. Formerly a potential suitor and now a friend, she develops romantic feelings for Abhishek. It is only later that she learns of his feelings for Simran. Devastated, Sweety decides that her weight is the problem and enrols in a program at a clinic named Size Zero. The weight-loss medications prescribed at the clinic cause kidney problems in her friend Jyothi, whom she is seeing at the same time. The clinic becomes the target of Sweety's crusade. She has also been joined by Abhi and Simran. Abhi is gradually falling in love with Sweety. The remainder of the film follows Sweety as she returns to her Prince Charming and succeeds in her crusade.
Manmarziyaan (ZEE5 [OTTplay Premium])
Kanika Dhillon and Anurag Kashyap wrote and directed the 2018 romantic drama Manmarziyaan. Phantom Films and Colour Yellow Productions, headed by Aanand L. Rai, are producing the film, which features Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, and Vicky Kaushal. Amritsar, Punjab, India, is the backdrop of this love story. After making its world premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, it received mostly excellent reviews upon its Indian release on September 14, 2018.
Despite her family's insistence that she tie the knot, Amritsar-born Punjabi girl Rumi is madly over heels with her commitment-phobe boyfriend Vicky. Rumi settles down to marry Robbie, an investment banker, after being duped by Vicky several times. Rumi finds it difficult to divert her mind from Vicky, even if she is married. In the end, what does her soul desire?
Kedarnath (ZEE5 [OTTplay Premium])
Abhishek Kapoor and Kanika Dhillon collaborated on the screenplay for the 2018 romantic catastrophe film Kedarnath. This film, which stars Sushant Singh Rajput and newcomer Sara Ali Khan, is about a love story between two people of different faiths: a Muslim boy who works as a porter in the area and a rich Hindu girl whose family owns a lodge and shops near the historic Kedarnath Temple in the Uttarakhand mountains. The couple encounters numerous challenges, such as opposition from family and different backgrounds, as their romance deepens. The lovers endure the ultimate test of their love as they fight for survival in the face of the brutal 2013 Uttarakhand floods.
Judgementall Hai Kya (ZEE5 [OTTplay Premium])
Ekta Kapoor and Prakash Kovelamudi produced and directed the 2019 black comedy Judgementall Hai Kya. Kanika Dhillon penned the screenplay, starring Kangana Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao. Reviewers praised the film's premise, director, screenplay, photography, production values, and performances, particularly those of Ranaut and Rao.
Judgementall Hai Kya manages to be both a fascinating mystery and a dark comedy. Bobby Batliwala Garewal (Ranaut), a lethal hybrid of Parsi and Punjabi ancestry, embarks on an exciting trip in the film. She rarely hangs out with others since her unpredictable and hilarious antics both alienate and captivate them. She meets Keshav (Rao), and their lives take a dramatic turn for the worst. What happens next will shake their world to its foundations. After they get into a cat-and-mouse game, the action moves from India to London. An entertaining, inspiring, and nail-biting thriller, it will keep you engrossed from start to finish.
Guilty (Netflix)
In 2020, Ruchi Narain helmed the thriller drama Guilty, which she co-wrote with Atika Chohan and Kanika Dhillon. In this film, which stars Kiara Advani, we follow a singer whose lover is facing rape allegations in the #MeToo era. Dharmatic, the digital division of Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, makes its debut in this film.
Nanki Dutta (Advani) is part of a band that features songs written by her lover, Vijay "VJ" Pratap Singh (Gurfateh Pirzada). Tanu Kumar (Akansha Ranjan Kapoor), a first-year student at her university with feelings for VJ, becomes embroiled in a predicament when, on the eve of Valentine's Day 2018, she tweeted accusations of sexual assault against him, joining the #MeToo movement. In an effort to assist Vijay, Nanki seeks the advice of Taher Shabbir (Danish Ali Baig), the lawyer who is looking into VJ's version of events. In light of the previous event, Nanki suffers from panic attacks and hallucinations, which we witness throughout the film. Danish ultimately prevails in the case, leading to Vijay's release, a development that deeply upsets Tanu. Despite having an affair with Tanu, VJ assures Nanki that he did not physically attack her. But there are still discrepancies with the case that make Nanki concerned. During a university festival, Tanu reveals her genuine intentions and affection towards Vijay while detailing the events of that tragic night. As the film unfolds, Nanki deciphers Tanu's #MeToo tweet and uncovers the truth: Vijay is a demon who sexually assaulted Tanu due to his wounded ego. The local authorities apprehend Vijay after Nanki reports his crime. Shortly after, a relieved Tanu encourages Nanki to speak up about her own experience with sexual abuse when she was 13 years old.
Haseen Dillruba (Netflix)
Haseen Dillruba is a romantic thriller that Vinil Mathew directed and Kanika Dhillon wrote. Among its cast members are Harshvardhan Rane, Vikrant Massey, and Taapsee Pannu. Critics had different opinions. Haseen Dilruba became that year's most-watched Hindi film on Netflix, with 22 nations' top ten rankings.
An explosion in Rishabh Saxena's (Rishu) house claims his life. According to the investigating police, his wife, Rani Kashyap, is the main suspect, and it turns out to be a murder. Rishu was an unassuming man who was ready to marry and had secure employment. Rishu introduces a girl named Rani, who is full of life and eager to rock. Despite Rani's tyrannical mother-in-law and the fact that she and Rishu are almost strangers to each other, everything changes the moment Rishu's cousin Neil shows up at their house. Rani had dreamt of marrying a guy like Neil. Rani plans to leave Rishu when they begin an affair, but Neil dumps her before she can make a move. After realising they were practically strangers to one another, Rani vows to be with Rishu as retribution for her transgressions; nevertheless, Rishu's villainy surfaces when he learns of her affair with Neil.
Rashmi Rocket (ZEE5 [OTTplay Premium])
Lisha Bajaj, Aniruddha Guha, Kanika Dhillon, and Akarsh Khurana scripted the 2021 sports drama Rashmi Rocket, which Ronnie Screwvala produced. Taapsee Pannu, Priyanshu Painyuli, and Abhishek Banerjee are the main actors.
This ZEE5 Original film tells an uplifting tale of a girl from a tiny village who overcomes societal obstacles to become a national-level athlete. However, the request to undergo a gender test ruins her triumph.
Raksha Bandhan (ZEE5 [OTTplay Premium])
Himanshu Sharma and Kanika Dhillon wrote the family comedy drama Raksha Bandhan, while Aanand L. Rai directed it in 2022. Along with Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar, the film also stars Deepika Khanna, Smrithi Srikanth, Sahejmeen Kaur, and Sadia Khateeb. The film's release in theatres coincided with both Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan. It bombed at the box office and got mixed reviews from critics.
Running the chaat shop that his father began is Lala Kedarnath (Akshay Kumar), the first and sole brother of four sisters. Lala makes a solemn vow to his weak mother on her deathbed: he will not marry until he has met the appropriate husbands for his sisters. What follows is Lala's dogged pursuit of marriage for his sisters in a way that honours their family's traditions. Meanwhile, Lala's romantic existence with Sapna (Bhumi Pednekar), the love of her life from childhood, is also fraught with difficulties. Nevertheless, Lala's dedication to his sisters poses a significant obstacle to the blossoming of his romance with Sapna. She decides to wait until he achieves his goal, having come to understand the importance of Lala's dedication.
Dunki (Netflix)
Dunki, a 2023 comedy-drama, revolves around the illegal immigration practice known as "donkey flight." Rajkumar Hirani, in collaboration with Abhijat Joshi and Kanika Dhillon, produced, edited, co-wrote, and directed the film through Rajkumar Hirani Films. Jio Studios and Red Chillies Entertainment co-produced the film. Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, and Boman Irani are the stars.
Dunki debuted in theatres worldwide in December 2023. Both critics and audiences had varying opinions on the film. With a production and marketing budget of ₹120 crore, Dunki became the ninth highest-grossing Indian film of 2023 and the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2023, earning ₹470.6 crore globally.
The four pals are from a small Punjabi village and all have one goal: to reach England. Their main concern is the visa and ticket necessities. A soldier assures them that he will guide them to their utopia. Funny and touching, Dunki tells the story of a dangerous journey, borders, friendships, homesickness, and love that triumphs above all.