Heer Express Review: A Derailed, Outdated Drama That Goes Nowhere
The film is riddled with stereotypes, and its predictability does away with all sense of tension or engagement.
"Heer Express" begins with a refreshing encounter with Heer Walia, played by debutante Divita Juneja. She lives in Punjab with her uncles (Sanjay Mishra and Gulshan Grover), and Heer is anything but the girl-next-door. She has a successful dhaba running, is an accomplished cook, repairs cars, and even rides horses fearlessly. Her world is turned upside down when two women from London present her with the chance to manage an Indian restaurant abroad. This is a quest of love, self-discovery, and emotional upheaval as Heer steps into a new world, finds the unknown, and finds herself again in the process.
Storyline
Heer Express tracks Heer (Divita Juneja), a Punjabi youngster who owns a popular dhaba in honor of her deceased mother. Her dad is assumed dead, and she shares a household with her uncles (Gulshan Grover and Sanjay Mishra). When the prospect to operate a restaurant in London in her mother's name comes along, Heer sets off abroad, only to unknowingly reunite with her long-lost father. As love comes into her life and family secrets start emerging, her past starts to destabilize her present.
What Work
"Heer Express" is its sincere narrative that amalgamates family feelings with bits of humour. The story drifts into universal cultural tensions between tradition and modernity, thus connecting with a broad audience. The film is ably backed by an efficient group of seasoned actors who inject charm and authenticity in their characters. Their performances imbue the otherwise plain plot with emotional maturity. Alongside this, the lively family interactions and sentimental moments impart warmth and familiarity, resonating with audiences that value stories based on Indian values and relationships. These do impart the film its occasional emotional zap.
What Doesn't Work
The greatest problem with Heer Express is its lackluster writing. The movie is totally inspired from old Bollywood stories without bringing anything new flavour to the story. The film is riddled with stereotypes, and its predictability does away with all sense of tension or engagement. The film's lowest point occurs in the climax, when a character who has been drugged suddenly regains their sanity when they hear of their past—a scene so absurd it borders on being humorous.
Performances also do not raise the film. Debutant Divita Juneja possesses screen presence, though not emotional depth, and Prit Kamani is genuine but forgettable. There is virtually no chemistry between the leads. Ashutosh Rana, Gulshan Grover, and Sanjay Mishra are totally wasted by the weakness of the script but try their best act. The technical aspects—music, cinematography, and editing—are also equally disappointing, which shows the minimal budget and aged approach to the film.
Verdict: Heer Express is a exhausting and emotionally superficial movie that's mired in a previous generation of filmmaking. With weak writing, subpar acting, and no surprise value, there's little here for contemporary viewers. Umesh Shukla's name may evoke initial interest, but this train goes off the rails fast. Bypass it—there are much better places for your time.
