In an industry ruled by the singer-turned-actors gradually learning the art on-the-job, it’s indeed heartening to see experienced actors leading a refreshing and enjoyable film based on an appreciable social subject.
Competently directed by Ksshitij Chaudhary, though VEKH BARAATAN CHALLIYAN has its own share of downers in its second half, it still turns out to be wholesome family entertainer having a fresh novel subject and a strong local connect. Commenting upon the widely spread superstitions in our Indian marriages, it keeps trying to be a solid comic satire but never rises above a fine light hearted comedy giving you a fairly good time.
Based on the plot of a young man asked to marry a dog before he marries the girl in order to get rid of his ‘Kundli-Dosh’, the film loses its focus after a while bringing the pace down. But many well written hilarious sequences and dialogues keep bringing it back on track along with an enjoyable mix of Punjabi and Haryanvi languages. Actually lifted by its performances, the film beautifully uses the realistic scenario of local buses moving within the two states of Haryana and Punjab, and tries to build a pleasant friendly atmosphere deserving praises.
As a unique feature VEKH BARAATAAN CHALLIYAN has the Hindi films veteran Govind Namdev and famous television star Kavita Kaushik making their debuts in Punjabi cinema. And we have Kavita playing a Hariyanvi girl, nailing it yet again post her hugely famous portrayal of a Hariyanvi cop in the serial FIR. Though she is not as impressive as her worth praising act in the serial but still does complete justice to her role giving it an authentic Haryanvi touch as required.
Karmajit Anmol delivers another short but superfine, winning performance of his career and Jaswinder Bhalla is good as usual with his typical loud dialogue delivery. The surprise package of the film includes the special and lovable appearances of both Ranjit Bawa and Amrinder Gill playing a cunning but funny cousin brother and a Haryanvi rich businessman respectively. Ranjit displays his excellent comic timing (never really seen before) and Amrinder gets the Hariyanvi accent in his rendition almost perfectly.
The entire cast ensemble brilliantly supports Binnu Dhillon playing the lead who has repeatedly proved his worth even in the small side roles. Binnu is not exactly playing a comic character here, but the circumstances make him appear as a comedian especially in the first half and the actor makes the best use of the opportunity given enhancing the appreciable writing.
With a highly relatable look and feel featuring the village life of both Punjab and Haryana, VEKH BARAATAN CHALLIYAN scores well in its technical department as well soundtrack offering some catchy songs. Personally I loved watching the local bus sequences of the film the most.
Overall, here we have a complete family entertainer that thankfully has a praise-worthy social plot and not just gags put together as a routine Punjabi comedy. So go for it and have a good time with Binnu, Karamjit and Kavita participating in their family celebrations.
(The article also got featured in UC-News mobile app in August 2017)
------------------
Shared below are views - Beyond the initial write-up with more interesting insights.
Well-conceived over a plot pointing towards the questionable superstitions followed in Indian marriages, VEKH BARAATAN CHALLIYAN is a refreshing, enjoyable comedy having a strong social relevance.
Though the film struggles at regular intervals in keeping your interest alive, it still overall manages to entertain and turns out to be a clean family entertainer commenting upon our social structure and its over-dependence upon traditional rituals, superstitions and astrological predictions. Besides, the film also tries to make a pleasant reference of relationship between neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab with a pinch of sarcasm.
Led by experienced actors instead of singer-turned-acting stars (still in the process of learning the art!), this deserves to be seen in the theaters and should be a major success, sending the Punjabi Cinema back into the same old conflicting state.
And the conflict is that even when the entire industry, writers and actors are more than willing to come out of this vicious circle, its yet again a comedy that becomes a success and not any other genre Punjabi film to be honest.
In other words, where at one end its really good to see the unexpected success of a comparatively small film without any singing star in the lead bringing the viewers in, we are actually back to the square one, since its once again a comedy and Punjabi Cinema as usual remains caught in the web of only three key subjects that happen to be Comedy, Religion and 1984 ……. giving you the dicey picture.
Hoping the upcoming JORA 10 NUMBARIA brings the much needed change in the scenario, do participate in this unique wedding celebration and have a good time.
Rating : 3.5 / 5
