Akaal movie review: Gippy Grewal’s high-octane historical drama flickers but doesn’t burn

Set in the 1840s, immediately after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the film is set in a time when a power vacuum for the crown precipitated intense political turmoil and fierce struggles for control. With invasions, skirmishes, and enemies at all sides trying to break the unity of the Sikh forces, the film tells the story of the valour of the protagonist, Sardar Akaal Singh (Gippy Grewal) and that of his village people in the face of a formidable enemy, Jangi Jahan (Nikitin Dheer). Akaal Singh’s valour is complemented by that of his son (Ekom Grewal) and wife (Nimrat Khaira), along with young men in the village, chiefly the character of Ekom Grewal, who is oddly shirtless in most of the scenes he appears in.

While the film is not based on exact historical events, it captures the struggles in the land of Punjab and the spirit of its warriors, women and children included, whose iron will is tempered by strong principles and steadfast faith. Baljit Singh Deo’s cinematography, along with the iconography of the warrior evoked through the clothes, style of the turban, and traditional weapons of warfare, painstakingly creates the historical milieu for the unfolding of the drama.

As the protagonist, Gippy Grewal is impressive and looks the part of a warrior who will only enter the battlefield for righteous reasons, in keeping with the tenets of Sikhism. As a formidable opponent, Nikitin Dheer is menacing and looks every bit the part of a ruthless, bloodthirsty raider who will not let anything get in his way, not even his own family. Nimrat Khaira holds her own and the screenplay struggles to give her more scenes in the male-dominated drama, adding in some tedious scenes towards the end.

Grewal deserves to be lauded for his efforts in presenting a visual spectacle on screen, an accomplishment for Punjabi cinema. Despite its strong points, however, Akaal suffers from the same flaw as many of Grewal’s recent films— a thin storyline that largely unfolds along predictable lines. So much of the film doesn’t feel fleshed out enough, chief amongst them being the machinations going on in Jangi Jahan’s family.

As the voice of guidance and temperance, Gurpreet Ghuggi’s character anchors the zeal of the warriors within their faith, keeping them on the righteous path though his preachy lessons become tiresome after a point. Ardaas Sarbat De Bhale Di (2024) featured Ghuggi in an almost identical role of a preacher who prompts people to reflect on their lives and offers them lessons at every step. The conclusion of Akaal, too, leaves things open-ended, allowing room for a possible sequel, another signature move of the actor-director.

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The action choreography by Siraj Sayed is uneven as is the editing by Rohit Dhiman and the action sequences start to feel repetitive, though the final face-off between the warriors is well-executed even if it is hugely exaggerated. Akaal Singh fighting with Jahan’s soldiers without a scratch on his face is a bit much, after all. Perhaps the most disappointing part is ironically the forte of Punjabi cinema, its music. The Bollywood touch in the songs sits awkwardly with the historical, earthy film and one wonders why the movie would abandon its strongest suit even if it was intended to reach a wider audience. The title track by Sukhwinder Singh and “Ik Singh” by Gippy Grewal are the two notable exceptions.

Akaal is one of those films that parents will want their children to watch, in order to learn about the history of the land, the valour of its warriors, and to feel pride in their ancestry.

Akaal movie cast: Gippy Grewal, Nimrat Khaira, Gurpreet Ghuggi, Nikitin Dheer, Prince Kanwaljit Singh, Shinda Grewal, Mita Vashisht.
Akaal movie director: Gippy Grewal
Akaal movie rating: 2 stars