Movie review of Punjabi Film ‘Dakuaan Da Munda’ starring Dev Kharoud, Pooja Verma, Jagjeet Sandhu, Lucky Dhaliwal, Sukhdeep Sukh, Anita Meet, Hardeep Gill and Kuljinder Sidhu.

Director: Mandeep Benipal.

Producer: Ravneet Kaur Chahal & Rajesh Kumar Arora.

Music: Qaistrax and Laddi Gill.

Genre: Biography, Drama.

Running Time: 143 minutes (U/A certified).

 

To start in simple words, there is not an inch of doubt in the fact that Mintu Gurusaria's biopic has been made with utmost precision and that the whole team has been successful in bringing together a tour de force project. What is likely to work in the favor of Dakuaan Da Munda is that the whole story is the need of the hour and the message it leaves at the end is likely to come in handy for a lot of people in Punjab.

Based on Gurusaria's autobiography, the story of the movie was already known to people who have read or watched anything about him. The real triumph lies in the gospel that with the general story already known to the audiences, the movie still captures their attention throughout its runtime of 143 minutes. Along with Gurusaria's script, what doesn't let the viewers wear out in the cinema halls is Inderpal Singh's screenplay.

As is the case with many biopics, Dakuaan Da Munda also follows the pattern of a backstory which is eventually connected with the present time at the end. Another aspect of the movie which is worth the praise is that the fictional elements aren't questionable. There have been instances in the past where biopics are encompassed with fictional sequences which end up being at dissent with the audiences.

It would be unfair to express admiration about the movie without mentioning Dev Kharoud's name. It would not be wrong to say that the finesse actor is one of the few quintessential and successful action heroes in the Punjabi film industry. As Mintu Gurusaria, he has once again not just played but nailed a real-life character on-screen. He is a testament to the fact that other genres can also sustain in the Punjabi film industry, provided you work for it.

There is this attribute of Jagjeet Sandhu which with his mere presence on-screen busts the audiences into laughter. With his character of Gurusaria's friend (Romy), he has yet again left a mark on the audiences. It was refreshing to see Pooja Verma (Rajji) on-screen in the Punjabi industry after three years. Playing the role of Mintu's girlfriend, her chemistry with Kharoud is worth the praise. Other actors in the movie in Hardeep Gill, Lucky Dhaliwal (Jungly) and Sukhdeep Sukh (Babbi) play their parts in an unfeigned manner. Guest appearances by Kuljinder Singh Sidhu, Jasjeet Singh Bajwa and Jaggi Kharoud (debut) also left significant impact in the movie.

Director Mandeep Benipal stands tall in portraying major nuances of Gurusaria's life on-screen with substantial impact. The movie covers Gurusaria's birth, family, school days, his entry into Kabaddi, his friends, his love interest, how he fell into the quagmire of drugs and destruction and most importantly, how he came out of the same. Restricted emphasis on romance works well for the overall flavour of the movie.

There is a scene when a young Mintu is teased by the name of Dakuaan Da Munda by his schoolmates. From there to a time in his life when his mother (Anita Meet) calls him by the same name due to his ill-activities sums up Gurusaria's gruesome journey. The full sequence of Mintu's stay at his home post his accident is highly likely to moist the viewers' eyes. Credit to Benipal for pulling off those few vital minutes in the superlative way that he did for (perhaps) it is the highest and the most heartfelt point in the movie. Credit to Anita Meet for portraying the role of Gurusaria's mother with such virtuosity.

However, the part where the accident happens could have been done in a more defined way. In which was a chink in the armour of the movie, Benipal and editor Bharat S. Raawat could have easily omitted (or done in a better manner) some part of the jail sequence in the second half for it appeared too long and dragged.

Talking about the music in Dakuaan Da Munda, two songs which shine in the first half are 'Pyaar' (sung by Veet Baljit and Shipra Goyal) and 'Marzi De Faisle' (sung by Himmat Sandhu). Talking of meaning, 'Zindagi' (sung by Nachhatar Gill) is a motivating track which comes at the above mentioned highest point of the movie. Under Qaistrax and Laddi Gill's music direction, the music of Dakuaan Da Munda is appreciable.

All in all, watch the movie to witness the uplifting story of Mintu Gurusaria, someone who turned back from taking his own life to becoming a renowned journalist in the state and someone who did not give up in a situation where most people tend to accept defeat. You never know if you might find the answers to your problems through his story for characters can differ but problems remain the same.