Punjabi Talkies

Director: Amitoj Maan

Writer: Amitoj Maan

Cast: Harbhajan Mann,Sarbjit Cheema,Mahreen Kaleka,Anuj Saxena,Sonia M

Music: Jaidev Kumar

Rating: **1/2

A newer version of Harbhajan Mann makes an appearance,looking dapper in his silk kurta-chadra worn with a fitted printed koti (jacket),traditional gurgaabis (Punjabi jutti) and turle-waali pagdi (the Bhagat Singh-style turban). He twirls his moustache and makes an arresting statement,especially for the Jatt Boys of Punjabi cinema. The Big Boss is back,and if this week’s release — Haani — belongs to anyone,it’s Mann.

A love story connecting and spanning between two generations from 1964 to 2013 — Haani — with its old-world charm and shuddh desi romance,gives a much-needed break from the stand-up comedies being doled out every Friday. Nostalgia takes centrestage as writer-director Amitoj Maan recreates a vibrant Punjab of the ’60s with foot-tapping sequences of gidda,the colourful folk songs,a wedding jaago and gabru-jawans frequenting the melas and akharas of Punjab. Amid all this is a Mirza-Sahiba kind of love story. Without sounding preachy,Maan uses this opportunity to question the current corruption of Punjabi language and culture. Nonetheless,more than its script,the film derives its strength from music,poignant lyrics (penned by Babu Singh Maan) and impressive playback.

The film moves back and forth in time,50 years apart,narrating the love story Ranjit (Mann) and Sukha (Mahreen Kaleka),and Preet (Sonia Maan) and Harman (Anuj Saxena). Harbhajan’s discovery Mahreen is stunning as Sukha. She carries herself with an envious ease and elegance,fitting right into the period she’s part of. We won’t be surprised if her spectacularly tailored salwar-kameez sets,her jewellery and juttis find their way into the Punjabi wedding season this year. However,as an older Sukha,she is clearly in uncomfortable territory and a victim of bad make-up.

While Cheema injects life into his character,Saxena fails to match the intensity of a lover. As one gets to see sparks of love and longing between Ranjit and Sukha,there is an element of casual romance between Preet and Harman. This is where Amitoj falters and somewhere fails to stoke the fire of true love. This was a story where Amitoj could’ve revealed the layers of love,the jealousies that come with it,the painful separation and the stabbing guilt. The strongest link of the story — between Ranjit’s past and Harman’s present,unfortunately,becomes its weakest. So does the separation and meeting of the older lovers. It’s delivered like instant coffee. Song-heavy in the first half,the film chugs along slowly,only to gain speed post interval,as if in a hurry to reach the final destination. By giving it a predictable treatment,the climax loses all steam. The fight for love has to cross a million hurdles. Haani clears the path and makes it way too easy.

Having said that,the film does revive a poetic romantic side to Punjab and deserves a watch — for the chemistry between Harbhajan and Mahreen,if nothing else.