How would make you feel like to see the names of two Pakistanis in a foreign film? One (the great Sohail Ahmad) cast a spell on the acting front, and another (the executive producer) displayed his wizardry (Hammad Chaudhry). Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne, a Pakistani-Canadian production, combines humour and tenderness. The movie will cause the audience to laugh out loud at one moment, and then it will cause us to reflect on a subject that society has overlooked.
The film begins with Jaggi (Diljit Dosanjh) and his two friends trying to find a way out of their basement living situation and pay off a debt incurred in order to become wealthy. One of these paths leads them to an old age home where they adopt an orphaned elderly man. Jaggi adopts Iqbal (Sohail Ahmed) after Preet (Sargun Mehta) informs him of his failing health, in the hope that he will pass away soon, leaving Jaggi as the sole legal heir to his insurance. However, rather than deteriorating in health, Iqbal improves under the care of Jaggi and his friends. This irritates the trio, prompting them to devise new ways to make money quickly.
The plot is amusing on its own, as scripted by Naresh Kathooria (film writer), but what makes it hilarious is Diljit Dosanjh's serious (pun intended) punch added to the situation. Diljit's humour, like his music, has become more nuanced over the years. Instead of being a typical romcom, this film stands on Diljit's shoulders as a refined comedy that will truly entertain you with its hilarious, but not over-the-top, ragtag amusement.
Diljit has shown refined acting skills, but the audience will agree with the critics that Sohail Ahmad steals the show. The plot revolves entirely around him, and at one point he outshines everyone else in the film. Sohail's perfect fills for the comedy spots and hilarious responses captivate the audience.
While in the first half the film did flirt with some cliched gags and circumstances, the second half is innovative, even for Punjabi films that master the art of comedy. One of the differential points in this film vis-à-vis other comedies is how the film has reinvented the use of a bunch of old men and women to usher in the climax. As the pack from old age home get into Expendables avatar to rob the Queen’s crown to rally around Jaggi’s fictitious, sinking JJ shipping company, this is unseen character playing that makes you fall in love with this older generation and their gothic makeovers. While Gurpreet Bhangu remains the most notable name among them, others too deserve equal credit, not to forget Sohial Ahmed and his special brand of old Punjab humour.
The film is well directed by Amarjit Singh and doesn’t slip into loose ends in editing or screenplay. Sargun may not have a meaty role in the film, but she adds gravitas to her role of the caring doctor, which comes through in all authenticity.
The music, though peppy in its own accord, is not doing justice to promote the story in any way and thus stays a disappointment. It’s time filmmakers started getting songs especially made for Punjabi films rather than picking random numbers in the name of filmy music.
