Movie Review of Punjabi Film Rabb Da Radio, starring Tarsem Jassar, Simi Chahal and Mandy Takhar. Directed by Tarnvir Singh Jagpal and Harry Bhatti.
Star cast: Tarsem Jassar, Simi Chahal, Mandy Takhar, Nirmal Rishi, Anita Devgan, Shivendar Mahal, Jagjeet Sandhu, Dheeraj Kumar, Gurmeet Sajan
Director: Harry Bhatti, Tarnvir Singh Jagpal
Producer: Manpreet Johal, Vehli Janta Team
Music: R Guru, Nick Dhammu, Deep Jandu
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 121 minutes
Synopsis: Rabb Da Radio tells the story of different sections and traits of people connected to each other. On one hand there is Guddi (Simi Chahal) who is a carefree girl and on the other hand is Naseeb Kaur (Mandy Takhar) who has suffered a lot since her childhood. On one side is Manjinder (Tarsem Jassar) who falls for Guddi and wants to get married to her and on other hand is a cruel dominating mother in law played by Anita Devgan. There is a Masi ji played by Nirmal Rishi. Rabb Da Radio connects all these and many more characters together.
Review: Rabb Da Radio is written by the talented Jass Grewal and Directed by 2 debutants Harry Bhatti and Tarnvir Singh Jagpal. The film not only delivers a powerful message but also is top notch on the entertainment value. Let’s analyse the film as a whole.
To begin with, the story written by Jas Grewal forms the backbone of the film. This is what we possess in our Punjabi culture and such stories should be told more often. It is the need of the hour. Screenplay also by Jas Grewal compliments the brilliant writing. At no point will the viewer find the film boring or moving slowly. The screenplay is engaging and keeps the viewer interested throughout.
Dialogues also by Jas Grewal take you back in the 80’s. So many new works to learn for the Gen X (like me). Some of the scenes like the whole pre-climax sequence, the interval scene to name a few show the traits of brilliance in Jas Grewal as a writer. No wonder he’s in demand today.
Coming to direction, Harry and Tarnvir couldn’t have asked for anything better to make their debut. They had a set of powerful actors, a great script and a bundle of talent to showcase as directors. The director duo engage the audience right from scene 1 till the climax. I liked their way of storytelling and clever use of background score and music. Also they knew what their limitations were and worked accordingly on their strengths.
Tarsem Jassar makes his big screen debut and his fans would be happy to know that Tarsem wasn’t intimidated by the presence of seasoned actors around him and left a spark of his own on the film. He’s something to look out for in future. Simi Chahal couldn’t have asked anything more. She gets an author backed role of Guddi to play and she does well. She gets the maximum screen time and the film completely revolves around her.
Off late, Mandy Takhar has come into her own. She now has that spark which went missing after Mirza. She showed some brilliance in Ardaas and continues that form here in Rabb Da Radio. She couldn’t have asked for more but I would have loved to see more of Naseeb Kaur’s character. (It won’t happen but a spinoff story of Naseeb Kaur would do justice here). Anita Devgan played the devilish mother in law and performed it exceptionally well. Ditto for Nirmal Rishi Maam who played a positive character and played it with ease. Just another normal day for her at the office.
Support cast included some stellar names like Shivendar Mahal, Jagjeet Sandhu, Dheeraj Kumar, Gurmeet Sajan and they all did their parts well. Other actors in the support cast also performed well and no disrespect to them, i don’t know their names but they did well.
We don’t usually mention the unsung heroes of the film but here I would appreciate the art direction and set design teams. The properties, the locations, the atmosphere created, the wedding setups, everything was perfect. Kudos to the team for this brilliant work.
Coming to the music of the film, R Guru, Nick Dhammu and Deep Jandu have done well. The title track by Sharry Maan forms the backbone and appears in the film at vital moments. Meri Mehnatzari by Tarsem Jassar appears with the opening credits. Sardara is a promotional track. The Ammy Virk track was also good accompanied by the Kulbir Jhinjher track. Das Mereya Dilbara by Mohd. Rafi and Asha Bhosle was a forceful insertion and wasn’t required.
Overall, Rabb Da Radio is a must watch for everyone. One of the few films where the male lead took a backseat and the film rested on the shoulders of 4 female characters. Kudos to the director for such a fine achievement and Rabb Da Radio will become a landmark film in Punjabi Cinema for sure.
