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Jasmine Singh
Let’s get talking, two things that Punjabi filmmakers should keep in mind much before they call out - action! One, we have had our fill of old world Punjabi weddings. By now, we actually miss the DJ wale babu. Two, it doesn’t cost a dime to check facts before sketching and later directing scenes, something like portraying an Army base camp at Rajathan border in this week’s Punjabi film release Ranjha Refugee.
You can’t blame director Avtar Singh for giving a below average treatment to a below average story. But then aren’t expectations supposed to bring disappointments. Half- baked story, ineffective dialogues... Ranjha Refugee comes as a film that slowly drags its existence to the climax. And if you think, leading actor in a double role is a sure-shot recipe for success (read Judwaa). You might want to rethink about it; it can also double up as a double assault on senses. The film does have many comic roles, but the ones that will make you cry because sometimes this is what bad jokes do to the people. And if you come from an Army background or know anything about fauj, and the brave faujis, you can fast forward certain parts. The art direction of Punjabi films is usually nice, especially when they capture the old world charm, but guess, Ranjha Refugee fails in this department too.
Heading straight to the acting department as there is nothing that you can say about direction, Roshan Prince plays Ranjha and Refugee, and need we say after Laavan Phere, it was a bad choice. His character is incomplete and untreated. Harby Sangha is one fine actor and in this film you’ll see how such actors are made insubstantial. Ranjha Refugee is one odd film that has wasted an actor like Karamjit Anmol. As for the actress Saanvi Dhiman - is she supposed to be feisty or coy, the director could have made this clear. The film also has music, we told you in case you missed it along with direction, acting, comedy. This Ranjha and all the associates should take refuge in an acting and direction class!
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