Category: Movies

[h4]Love – one of the most transforming life experiences that a human being goes through – is often explored deeply in movies across the globe. However, when it comes to Punjabi cinema, the focus of the makers has generally been on comedy and family dramas, with love just sprinkled in between to tie things together.

For a change though, in Munda Faridkotia, the feeling of love has been so beautifully dealt with that one wonders if it’s really a Punjabi movie that we’re watching. [/h4]

Directed by Mandeep Singh Chahal and produced by Dalmora Films and Monty Sikka, Munda Faridkotia is about a boy named ‘Farid’ played by Roshan Prince, who is desperate NOT to leave Faridkot, his hometown ever, even though he gets a wonderful chance to go to Canada on the pretext of his wedding. He wishes hard to stay in Faridkot, and fortunately or unfortunately, he gets his wish fulfilled albeit in a different country.

The circumstances actually land him in Pakistan’s Faridkot and hence ensue a lot of interesting twists in Farid’s life – from meeting his “love” in the form of Mariyam played by Sharan Kaur, his tryst with feelings of patriotism and a lot more. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJhqiYn2A40

Having shown Pakistan in a positive light, focusing entirely on the humane side of the country, the makers have made sure that Munda Faridkotia, shall be loved by Pakistani fans too, if and whenver they get a chance to watch the film.

While on one side the film scores big when it comes to its concept and remarkable performances, the slow pace of the film and non-compliance with logic might put off a few. (For example, viewers might wonder, haven’t the makers made it quite easy to cross Indo-Pak border, which is touted as one of the toughest to cross borders in the world?) 

Besides its slow pace, the film also suffers a bit on lack of development of some scenes and characters wherein one wanted to see more, but isn’t served with that. For instance, the scene where the two male burqa clad characters try to rescue Farid from the goons is abruptly cut without showing any action and struggle.

Also, when Farid realises his love for the country stronger than his love for Mariyam, nothing really is shown to happen in that direction. The scene is soon cut into something very light and forgettable. That was where one feels that something is missing in the screenplay. 

Nevertheless, when it comes to performances, full marks go to all the actors. Roshan Prince not only looks good but he acts immensely well, owning the scene with his charm everytime he comes on the screen. The actor has genuinely played his part well and deserves great roles ahead.

Sharan Kaur emerges as wonderful new heroine that Punjabi cinema has got. The girl has performed so well that it just doesn’t seem that Munda Faridkotia was her first film. Right from her accent, her lovely looks and expressions, she shines everytime she’s on screen. 

Navpreet Banga is wonderful in her small role too. In one scene, she cries her heart out and the girl looks so natural that one can easily feel the character’s pain. Karamjit Anmol is great in his part and so are the rest of the actors. 

Overall, Munda Faridkotia is truly a ‘hatke’ film for Punjabi cinema that’s used to watching comedies. It’s a film for the heart that loves and knows the pain that comes along with it. 

Iampunjaabi rating: 3/5

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[h4]In a day and age of competition by numbers and box-office earnings, the concept of two films releasing on the same day creates frenzy in not just Pollywood but Bollywood as well. But here we have the team of Rhythm Boyz Entertainment which released their latest Punjabi film – Laiye Je Yaarian along with none other than Salman Khan’s much-awaited film Bharat today.[/h4]

When the makers take such a big risk, it shows that they’re really confident about their product. So whether Sukh Sanghera’s directorial debut, Laiye Je Yaarian falls into the category of films which shall win the heart and mind of public in Punjab or not, read on to find. 

Written by Golak Bugni Bank Te Batua writer, Dheeraj Rattan, LJY takes a detour from the tried and tested family dramas and takes us into the world of business, entrepreneurs, bank loans and MBAs. With the backdrop of Vancouver, Canada, the entire setup becomes chic and modern.

The film’s plot revolves around four main characters – Raunak (Roopi Gill), Sukh (Harish Verma), Jaanu (Rubina Bajwa) and of course, the “baddie” Garry Randhawa (Amrinder Gill). One of the most unique parts of LJY is that besides the lead characters, you won’t find any real known face in the film (barring some pleasant guest appearances like Amberdeep, Ranjit Bawa, Shipra Goyal), thus leaving no scope for extras to support the leads. The film truly stands on the shoulders of the four main actors and the strong storyline, which is a big plus and takes LJY several notches above other films.

[h4]The film’s plot is tight and doesn’t waste time on meaningless comedies or long dialogues. The to-the-point yet witty one-liners suffice and take the movie forward efficiently.[/h4]

Harish Verma, as a Patiala youth desperate to go to the promised land of Canada, plays his part to perfection. Verma’s comic timing, along with his act of a charmer, is one of the strong points of the film. Roopi Gill, as a stubborn business owner, shines in her role. In fact, she’s the central character of the film who holds LJY together with her superb acting skills. More than the dialogues, her eyes do the acting and it won’t be wrong to say that with Laiye Je Yaarian, this pretty actress has got just the kind of role that shall hopefully, bring her a lot of appreciation from the crtics and probably, more offers as the female lead.

While Amrinder Gill makes a smashing entry and lives up his part well as the cunning “Garry Randhawa”, the twist in his character is what really takes the audiences’ hearts away. Rubina Bajwa is the only weak link in the film and doesn’t suit in the role of a “banker”.

The songs and background score complement the upbeat theme of LJY and there are no unnecessary Bhangra numbers in the film, keeping in mind the taste of this unique flick. “Meri Aakad” by Garry Sandhu featuring Bajwa and Verma remains with you for a long time even after you exit the theatre.

What could be counted in the negatives by some is probably lack of enough Punjabi touch in the form of music or dances or outfits or perhaps, some known character artistes. But for us at Iampunjaabi.com, the only negative (if you want to really find so) is the editing, which in some frames appears a bit abrupt. 

Overall, Laiye Je Yaarian marks the beginning of new kind of Punjabi cinema away from the world of usual comedies, Punjabi cultural dramas and period flicks. Though the film has to face a tough competition from “Bharat” at the box-office, yet with a strong word of mouth, LJY will end up scoring big in the coming weeks.

[h4] Rating: 4/5 [/h4]

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[h4]With the plethora of regular Punjabi family dramas and wedding comedies flooding the Punjabi film industry for over two years now, here’s a filmmaker who’s finally dared to attempt something out-of-the-box with “15 Lakh Kadon Aauga” and steered Punjabi cinema in a completely new direction.[/h4]

Frriday Russh Motion Pictures’ latest presentation (after the highly successful Mr and Mrs 420 series and Uda Aida), 15 Lakh Kadon Aauga starring Ravinder Grewal and Pooja Verma in the lead shall definitely remind you of the ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ and Hrishikesh Mukherjee kind of cinema when complicated social issues were told in a simple yet entertaining manner.

Without revealing the plot much, Manpreet Brar’s 15 Lakh Kadon Aauga is based on the life of a good-for-nothing common man, witty but extremely lazy to work-hard and put his highly convincing oratory skills to a good use. Played by Ravinder Grewal, the man after trying many options lands into a highly prolific profession of a ‘God Man’, preaching in the day and drinking his nights away merrily. His luck further intensifies when a political party’s election ‘joomla’ indirectly helps him gain a lot. How the gullible common people get befooled, how the system plays out its own game, is what the story is based on causing enough chaos and drama to entertain you.

Tangentially touching the realm of Indian national politics, 15 Lakh Kadon Aauga successfully saves itself from landing into any controversy. Thanks to the smartly written dialogues, the screenplay and decent direction that keep the film strictly for entertaining purposes.

Talking about the performances, 15 Lakh Kadon Aauga would certainly give a second-wind to Ravinder Grewal’s career. The man looks absolutely fantastic in his comical role of Indian ‘Baba’. The way the character’s written, it gives ample opportunity to him to perform, and Grewal does his best. Pooja Verma, complements being his wife, a simple yet nagging homemaker who manages to make you laugh at certain points too with the way she utters the witty one-liners. Rana Ranbir, in a short but powerful role, lifts the film to new heights.

Rest of the actors fit in their respective roles well too. However, the one who scores the best is Ravinder Grewal for sure. 

Iampunjaabi.com Rating: 3.5/5

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