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Sunday, June 29, 2014

Punjab 1984 - Not for faint hearted

Diljit has arrived, and he is here to stay. From Comedy churning team of Diljit Dosanjh and Director Anurag Singh, comes a movie about what many discuss but few dare to depict.

The movie is set in years following Operation Blue star with backdrop of rural Punjab. Unlike what the title may make you think, Plot revolves around a mother's search to find her son who was taken into custody by Police and is not seen for over a year. I thought that nobody could equal Divya Dutta (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag) when it came to making watchers cry but Kirron Kher matched it inch by inch. Some power packed performance I must say. After a streak of super hit comedy movies, one would think that Diljit Dosanjh is typecasted into the roles he has been doing. However, he proved that he is every bit a good a actor as he is a good singer. His mettle as an actor is proven in every frame that he is in. Every one has pitched in with utmost sincerity and great acting. Sonam Bajwa, who debuted in Gippy Grewal's Best of luck, is surprise package and impresses in her scenes. Pavan Malhotra as antagonist Deep Rana is overpowering in his frames. He overshadows Diljit in every frame where hey share the screen. It was refreshing to see some old DD faces including Arjuna Bhalla. Took me back to DD Jalandhar's days. Full points to casting director for fool proof ensemble of actors.

Music is melodious and mellifluous. Songs are used as a tool for time compression. Never once you think that songs are forced or don't fit in the bigger picture. You are left wondering about when did the song start. It is like a sweater with a pattern knitted by your mother. So seamless and interwoven into the whole scheme. Lyrics are apt and fitting. Veet Baljeet and Raj Ranjodh has created magic with Kismat, Swaah bannke and Channo. Diljit has lent his voice to all tracks except one opening track that could not have been handled better by anyone other than Sukhwinder Singh.

All in all, if you think that you will be taken through a fact based documentary styled on terrorism in Punjab during 80s; I am sorry but this movie is not for you. However, if you want to see some overpowering performances by Kirron kher, Pavan Malhotra, Diljit Dosanjh and Sonam Bajwa; you will not be disappointed. One of the few movies that could move me to tears.