Half Girlfriend - 2017

Introduction 

Half Girlfriend is an enthralling Bollywood film that captivates audiences with its unique blend of romance, drama, and cultural exploration. Released in 2017, this film, directed by Mohit Suri, is an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's bestselling novel of the same name. Half Girlfriend takes viewers on an emotional roller coaster ride, delving into the complexities of relationships and the pursuit of love in a diverse and dyna mic society.

With a talented ensemble cast, including Arjun Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Vikrant Massey, Seema Biswas, and Rhea Chakraborty, the film paints a vivid picture of the contrasting landscapes and social disparities within society. It weaves together heartwarming moments, heart-wrenching setbacks, and undeniable chemistry between the lead actors, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats throughout the film.

Table of Content 

• Details

• Plot 

• Release

• Reviews

• Casting

• Crew

• Character Analysis

• Songs

• Behind the Scenes

• Controversy

• Box Office Collection

• Awards

• Interesting Facts

• How to Book a Personalised Celebrity Message from a celebrity similar to celebrities from Heart of Stone on Tring?

Details 

Plot 

PlayThe story revolves around Madhav, a young man from a rural village in Bihar, who secures admission to St. Stephen's College in Delhi through a sports quota. Despite his lack of proficiency in English, he is determined to make a mark in the city and bring about positive changes in his village. It is during the college days that he encounters Riya, a beautiful and confident girl who comes from an affluent background.

Madhav is instantly smitten by Riya's charm and falls deeply in love with her. Riya, on the other hand, appreciates Madhav's simplicity and genuine nature but is hesitant to commit fully to a romantic relationship. She proposes a unique arrangement: becoming his "half girlfriend" - a term that defines a relationship that falls somewhere between friendship and romance.

Madhav, hoping to win Riya's heart, reluctantly agrees to the arrangement, unaware of the challenges that lie ahead. As their bond grows, they become inseparable, enjoying their time together and exploring the vibrant city of Delhi. However, Madhav's desire for a deeper commitment clashes with Riya's emotional turmoil and personal struggles.

As their relationship becomes increasingly complicated, misunderstandings and miscommunications arise, causing a rift between them. Riya, burdened by her own secrets and haunted by a painful past, decides to distance herself from Madhav, leaving him heartbroken and shattered.

Devastated but determined, Madhav embarks on a journey to find Riya, tracing her steps back to Bihar. Along the way, he discovers the harsh realities faced by his village and realizes the importance of education in bringing about social change. Inspired by his experiences and fueled by his unwavering love, Madhav returns to Delhi, ready to fight for his relationship and his dreams.

The climax of the film unfolds as Madhav confronts Riya and lays bare his true feelings, begging her to give their relationship another chance. Riya, deeply moved by his persistence and personal growth, begins to unravel her own emotional baggage. Together, they face their fears and confront the obstacles that once tore them apart.

Release

The film, Half Girlfriend was released on 19th May 2017 with a budget of 35 crore rupees. The film generated a total revenue of 97.7 crore rupees at the box office which is considered neither a hit nor a flop.

Chetan Bhagat’s novel by the same name was a very big hit amongst readers who were excited for the book’s movie adaptation to be released.  

Reviews

The film's pacing remains engaging, for the most part, there are instances where the narrative feels predictable, adhering to conventional romantic tropes. Additionally, some of the supporting characters could have been better developed, as they tend to fade into the background.

Despite these minor flaws, Half Girlfriend's strength lies in its ability to evoke a range of emotions from the audience. It explores themes of friendship, unrequited love, and the complexities of relationships in a refreshing manner. The film explores the question of whether it is possible to be just ‘half’ in love and raises thought-provoking discussions about the nature of human connections.

The film got a harsh rating of 20% on the Rotten Tomatoes website. However, the audience gave an average score of 60%. 

Casting 

• Arjun Kapoor as Madhav Jha. A Bihari boy who hardly knows to speak English and ends up attracted to Riya Somani.

• Shraddha Kapoor as Riya Somani. Who is a rich Delhi girl coming from an entrepreneurial background. She also sings and enjoys her own company. Typically she sings at a bar in New York.

• Vikrant Massey as Shailesh Khanna. He is a close friend of Madhav and is very protective of him.

• Rhea Chakraborty as Anshika Patel, who loves Madhav but lets him go for Riya.

• Seema Biswas as Rani Sahiba. She plays Madhav's mother, who runs a school in Bihar.

• Shree Dhar Dubey as Hemant the estate agent.

• Anisa Butt as Rutvi, Sailesh's wife.

• Jiten Lalwani as Basketball coach.

• Adam Davenport as Bar Owner in New York City, USA.

• Dalip Sondhi as Mr. Somani. He plays Riya's father.

• Sujata Sehgal as Mrs. Somani. She plays Riya's mother.

• Tvisha Shah as Tvisha Jha. She plays te daughter of Riya and Madhav.

• Kashvi Kothari as Shabnam. A village girl.

• Vikas B Mandaliya as Rohan Chandak. He plays Riya's ex-husband.

Crew

• Director: Mohit Suri

• Producers: Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, Chetan Bhagat, Mohit Suri

• Cinematography: Vishnu Rao

• Music: Songs by Mithoon, Tanishk Bagchi, Rishi Rich, Farhan Saeed, Ami Mishra, Rahul Mishra. Score by Raju Singh

• Editor: Devendra Murdeshwar

• Production Company: ALT Entertainment

Character Analysis

• Arjun Kapoor as Madhav Jha

Initially introduced as a simple, earnest young man, Madhav is driven by his dreams of pursuing higher education. His admission to St. Stephen's College in Delhi marks a turning point in his life, exposing him to a world far removed from his humble upbringing. Arjun Kapoor skillfully portrays Madhav's innocence, bringing out his endearing qualities and genuine nature.

One of Madhav's defining traits is his deep-rooted sincerity. He wears his heart on his sleeve and approaches life with an unwavering honesty that becomes both his strength and weakness. Despite his initial struggles to fit into the elitist college environment, Madhav's genuine nature earns him the friendship and support of his roommate and fellow student, Shailesh.

Madhav's journey takes a significant turn when he meets Riya Somani, played by Shraddha Kapoor. He falls deeply in love with her, despite her reluctance to commit to a romantic relationship. Throughout the film, Madhav embodies a sense of persistence and determination. Despite facing multiple rejections from Riya, he continues to pursue her, hoping to find a connection that goes beyond friendship. His persistence reflects his unwavering belief in love and his refusal to settle for less. This aspect of his character showcases his loyalty and commitment to the people he cares about.

As the story progresses, Madhav's character learns important life lessons about love, sacrifice, and acceptance. His growth lies in recognizing that love does not always conform to societal norms or expectations. He evolves from a boy hopelessly pursuing his idealized version of love to a young man who begins to understand the complexities and nuances of relationships.

• Shraddha Kapoor as Riya Somani

Riya is introduced as a confident and modern young woman who captures Madhav's attention from the moment he sets foot in St. Stephen's College. She exudes charm, intelligence, and elegance, drawing people towards her effortlessly. Shraddha Kapoor's portrayal brings out Riya's charisma and enigmatic qualities, making her an intriguing character.

One of her defining traits is her strong sense of independence. She values her freedom and resists conforming to societal norms and expectations. Riya's reluctance to commit to a traditional romantic relationship becomes a point of conflict between her and Madhav. Her character challenges the conventional notions of love and questions whether it is possible to define relationships by specific labels.

Throughout the film, Riya grapples with her own demons, dealing with personal traumas and the weight of expectations placed upon her. Her emotional journey revolves around finding a balance between her desires and the pressures of her surroundings. Riya's character explores the theme of inner conflicts and the struggle to reconcile one's personal aspirations with societal obligations.

• Vikrant Massey as Shailesh Khanna

Shailesh is introduced as a warm-hearted and affable individual. He quickly becomes Madhav's confidant and source of emotional support during his time at St. Stephen's College. Vikrant Massey's portrayal brings out Shailesh's amiable nature, making him a likable and relatable character.

One of Shailesh's defining qualities is his unwavering friendship and loyalty towards Madhav. He stands by Madhav through thick and thin, offering guidance and a listening ear whenever needed. Shailesh's character embodies the idea of a true friend, someone who is always there to support, encourage, and provide a sense of stability.

His character portrays a sense of maturity and understanding, providing a balance to Madhav's idealistic and impulsive nature.

Beyond his role as a friend, Shailesh is portrayed as an intelligent and ambitious individual. He excels academically and is focused on achieving his goals. Despite his own aspirations, he willingly lends his support to Madhav, selflessly prioritizing their friendship. Shailesh's character showcases the importance of selflessness and the power of true friendship.

Songs

Behind the scenesPlay

The makers of Half Girlfriend take you behind the scenes into the making of their popular song Phir Bhi Tumko Chaungaa. Actor Arjun Kapoor tells the story and importance of the song in the movie and how it perfectly describes his character. 

Controversy 

• In a Delhi court, a dispute between the novelist Chetan Bhagat and the royal family of Bihar was resolved after the writer apologized to the family and claimed his work was fiction and not reality. The family alleged the negative portrayal of the princely state of Dumraon and the use of objectionable language in Bhagat’s book ‘Half Girlfriend’ was resolved after the writer apologized and claimed the work was 'fiction'.

Box Office Collection

Awards

Interesting facts

• Half Girlfriend was originally going to star actress Kriti Sanon as the female lead.  Similarly, speculation pointed out that Sushant Singh Rajput will take the lead. But as fate would have it, Shraddha Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor respectively took the roles of Kriti and Sushant when the filming started in May 2016.

• Arjun Kapoor admitted that he hadn’t read the novel, Half Girlfriend.

• Sushant Singh Rajput denied the project because the release dates conflicted with Raabta 2017.

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