Apni Boli Apna Des lets down its strong cast

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      Starring Raj Babbar and Sarbjit Cheema. Rated G

      Punjabi films are rapidly increasing in popularity in Canada. All one has to do is look at the box office numbers, which surpass that of many well-known Canadian films. But despite their appeal, viewers are still expected to leave their brains at the door as filmmakers spoon-feed rehashed storylines with stereotypical characters.


      Watch the trailers for Apni Boli Apna Des.

      Apni Boli Apna Des, starring Surrey-based Punjabi singer Sarbjit Cheema, is yet another offering in a long line of Punjabi films in which a group of good actors, searching for a meaningful, plausible story, must suffer at the whims of clueless filmmakers.

      Cheema plays Sahibdeep Singh, a stereotypical good son of a rich landlord (Moran Wale) in Punjab, who finds himself 800 million rupees ($20 million) in debt to a local loan shark who wants to tear down the Singh family home and build a five-star hotel. The son, who also sings—barely—must go off to England to become a Punjabi superstar to pay back the loan shark.

      If that doesn’t sound ludicrous, the film goes off on a number of idiotic subplots, including Sahibdeep helping his uncle Bikramjeet Singh (Raj Babbar) become a British MP. Oh yeah, he also has to get those 800 million rupees for daddy, and reconcile with his long lost love Satkar (Shweta Tiwari). No worries—our superstar gets it all done with flying colours and an uncomfortable, expressionless face.

      Most of the cast, including Bollywood veteran Babbar, popular soap actress Tiwari, and comedy king Gurpreet Ghuggi, all do excellent work but are let down by the meandering script. The two weakest links are veteran director Ravinder Peepat, who couldn’t steer this clunker in the right direction even if he had GPS, and lead actor Cheema, who keeps looking into the camera as if he were in one of his music videos.

      Comments

      7 Comments

      gretzky

      Sep 20, 2009 at 9:29pm

      very funny.

      I heard a lot of money was spent on this film. Although I have to admit that I have yet to see the film, I have a feeling this is just a meaningless movie. Hopefully a new wave of script writers, cinematographers, directors emerge to replace the current establishment. Films are suppose to inspire and challenge us. Punjabi films should be an expression of creativity and art rather than a product made exclusively for profit which I feel what they at present.

      Since there will be a demand for punjabi movies and lots of room to make money, it is my hope that more of us take up the profession and devote our lives to making original, quality movies not just as actors, since only a lucky few are suitable for this role, but also as writers, directors, musicians, cinematographers.

      ...I think writing is the most important aspect that needs improvement...we meet to develop of love for literature to make good films.

      And this new wave of movie makers must come from people not living in India because these other aspects of making films are very undervalued in India.

      cinebuff

      Sep 26, 2009 at 9:55pm

      I respectfully disagree with Mr. Dhillon's review of this film. I went and saw it today and I was impressed. I thought it would be a mess of patriotic cliches, bad acting, and annoying characters. I was wrong on all accounts. I was suprised that the movie had very little in terms of jokes and was actually a well-written drama.

      As for the comment above, I think 'gretzky' should at least see the movie before making his/her judgement.

      Mr. Rehill

      Sep 28, 2009 at 12:33pm

      very good Punjabi movie.

      Jaspal Pattar

      Nov 20, 2009 at 9:26am

      Very disappointed by the film....Not worth watching....Wasted £7 on the cinema ticket.....Sarabjit Cheema I want my money back.

      Amarjit

      Dec 24, 2009 at 12:41am

      Paul Dhillon is a typical snobish critic. This movie was more entertaining than
      majority of english or hindi movies I have seen this year. I watch these movies to escape the doldrums of everyday life and this movie delivers that nostalgic
      feeling that punjabis go to the cinemas for. Those of us who grew up in villages of Punjab will continue to support such cinema.

      Satkaar

      Dec 25, 2009 at 8:30am

      I like the movie, but I do agree that Sarbjit Cheema had no expressions throughout the film. He rarely showed emotion and during the climax and love scenes he just looked uncomfortable, it was really disappointing. Also Shweta Tiwari's talent was really overlooked. The story line a little ridiculous (also critically acclaimed) had a really great sound track though, and some good sister scenes between Shweta and the other actress.

      Sahibdeep

      Mar 29, 2010 at 6:29pm

      I agree with Satkaar on all topics except the part where the sister scenes were concerned, I think they could have been better.