Sardaar Ji

This movie was everything that I expected and more. Diljit is hands down the best actor in Punjabi Cinema. His comedy skills are commendable. I was laughing so hard through out the whole movie that I had tears in my eyes and my stomach started hurting by the end of the movie (No kidding). I love the way how today's Punjabi movies uses the Punjabi language in such a beautiful way that we, NRI's, feel so connected and intrigued by it. Sardaar Ji is a fresh breeze of air for Pollywood. Mandy Takhar is a surprise package in Sardaar Ji. Her acting wasn't really up to the mark, but I know she can and improve in future projects. Neeru Bajwa was, as always, really good. I will definitely watch Sardaar Ji again, because it's worth every single penny.

Coming straight to the point, SARDAAR JI brings a big positive as well as a big negative news for Punjabi Cinema, if one looks at this latest release (having all the potential of becoming a major hit), with a deeper understanding of the trend witnessed in the last decade of Punjabi film business.

However sharing the good news first, here we have a film that promises to entertain you well through its novel and innovative script revolving around a strange love triangle performed superbly by the cast after a long time. And in case you quickly wish to know the key merits of SARDAAR JI in short, then the film has Diljit Dosanjh, the superstar of Punjabi cinema back in his terrific form with a perfect comic timing after the mistake called DISCO SINGH. Director Rohit Jugraj returning with another well-made project post his successful JATT JAMES BOND introducing a fantasy 'ghost' plot for the first time ever in Punjabi Cinema. And a script that has enough to keep you engaged throughout it's more than two hours long duration (with some fine songs) despite the usual hiccups post intermission.

Having a comparatively better, fast moving and hugely entertaining first half, SARDAAR JI begins on a bumpy note (with few unfamiliar faces on screen) but then pulls the viewers in through many well- conceived hilarious sequences and some engaging story developments before the intermission. In the second half though the pace drops due to the usual predictable plot of a love triangle and some repetitive scenes, still it keeps covering the mistakes fast with the dependable Diljit and never tends to lose the grip heading towards another comical (unusual) climax giving you the worth of your money spent.

Being based on a 'ghostly' fantasy plot, it would be foolish to search for any logic in its various sequences related with the bottled spirits and more. Especially when writer Dheeraj Rattan delivers a mostly engaging screenplay (with a winner first half in particular) and Raju Singh providing his much important support through a noteworthy background score in its enjoyable sequences.

But let me tell you about the most crucial essence of a Punjabi comedy movie that remains its strong backbone throughout undeniably. And that's its hilarious, well written dialogues with many timely punches coming one after another rendered with a perfect timing in the local lingo by actors like Diljit, Jaswinder Bhalla and more. A Punjabi comedy movie majorly depends upon its one liners alone since the slapstick part (almost) always comes in the climax resulting in a crescendo as last seen in CARRY ON JATTA. And since SARDAAR JI simply excels in this particular department of dialogues in its every frame right from the electrifying entry of Diljit till its witty finale, therefore for me the real unsung hero of the film is its dialogue writer Jatinder Lall putting it honestly.

Adding to its merits, SARDAAR JI has an eye-catching cinematography, some decent special effects as required and an enjoyable, catchy soundtrack with many good songs composed, written and rendered well. Having said that, a few tracks could easily be edited out of the final print resulting in a shorter duration as its always irritating when a love song comes even after 110 minutes of the film unnecessarily.

In the performance section, it's a Diljit Dosanjh film all the way along with the dialogue writer Jatinder Lall. And the director makes the best use of the talent ensemble here with his quality vision clearly visible on the screen as expected. Diljit confidently leads from the front displaying his multi-talent of acting, singing, comedy, action and emotion. And it's his enigmatic presence on the screen only that takes the film to another level altogether without any slightest of doubt. Neeru Bajwa as the spirit in love performs well (though she isn't the main lead of the film unexpectedly) but its Mandy Takhar (in a comparatively bigger role), who shows a great improvement looking fresh, natural and different, moving ahead of all her previous attempts giving a pleasant surprise. Jaswinder Bhalla in his cameo kind of role largely provides the expected entertainment in his few scenes and so do the rest in the supporting cast except the members of the rich 'England' family (calling Diljit as the ghost hunter from India), taking it quite casually.

In all, due to its stronger merits mentioned above, SARDAAR JI can easily be rated as a largely enjoyable film having its few glitches that demand to be ignored due to a thoroughly entertaining Diljit keeping the smiles intact.

Diljit Dosanjh, Neeru Bajwa & Jaswinder Singh Bhalla. Think of these names and you will recall the "JATT&JULIET trio" that was damn funny and made you spill your lungs out of laughter. And same were my expectations from this movie as well. But it turned out to be a " Beta Tumse Na Ho Payega" scenario. Sardaar Ji is a comedy that would compel you to look at your watch several times during the show and would sometimes make you laugh and also make you wonder "WHY ON THE EARTH DID THE TRIO WENT AHEAD WITH THIS MOVIE IN THE FIRST PLACE".

Mr. Bhalla and Mr. Diljit Dosanjh are fantastic at comedy. The movie had the potential to be a good one given the plot, but Mr. Bhalla's and Diljit's comic timing is awfully under-utilized. They actually make a fantastic comic couple on-screen, but the movie somehow fizzles even before the interval. The movie lacked the trademark Punjabi tsunami of jokes n comic punches. The songs are good and Diljit dances extremely well on their beats. The comic punches (which are deficient in the movie) are hilarious and very well fits in the script. Overall its a movie you may watch if you have a craving for the Punjabi cinema and are ready to feel disheartened at the end. Its neither the worst nor the best.

P.S. - These are my personal views and may differ from other reviewers. The review does not contain any plot spoiler.

Illogical and very badly scripted.

Please don't waste your time.

I certainly had good expectations from this film, being a fan of Jatt and Juliet, and of course, Neeru & Diljit. But this one is a big letdown.

The production values are high and I really liked the performances by the three leading actors as well as the supporting cast. Mandy is not up to the mark but the potential in her is visible. Unfortunately, the efforts of the star cast are foiled by a very slow paced story. Though it has an interesting mystery angle, the way it unfurls is not in the least interesting.

I certainly expected a lot of romcom moments in this film and did not receive even one of it. There was no Diljit madness here. Also, none of the songs were worth a second hear for me unlike the ones from Jatt & Juliet.

It's good to see that Punjabi cinema is trying hard to bring up its standards. Better luck next time though.