Taking place in the politically charged Punjab of the 1990s, Soohe Ve Cheere Waleya had all the makings of a heartfelt cross-border love story - one filled with poetry, longing, and silence. Directed by Janjot Singh, and featuring a promising cast that includes Nirvair Pannu, Tanu Grewal, and Bir Singh, the essence of the film is there, but it falls dramatically short from story to emotional depth.

Plot

The film rests on the narrative of Sooba (Nirvair Pannu), a shopkeeper nestled just outside of the India-Pakistan border, who finds solace in the verses broadcasted on Lahore Radio. The soulful verses on the airwaves, unbeknownst to Sooba, are read by Nazo, a mute girl living in Pakistan. What begins through a wireless device and secret note-giving, represents how love and art transcend the boundaries of politics. The premise seems powerful and poignant, once we enter the text, it lacks rhythm and passion.

Poor Screenplay and Direction

The story isn’t rushed at all, and the number of emotionally- draining scenes is insurmountable to the point of becoming tedious and boring. The script doesn't stay true to itself and offers little character development or plot progression. The emotional relationship between Sooba and Nazo is stilted and leaves the audience disinterested in their love story. Director Janjot Singh’s efforts to balance a romance and socio-political commentary stumble and never quite connect due to inconsistent tone and lack of focus.

Performances and Music

Nirvair Pannu makes a great effort to create a believable performance, but he lacks emotional range which minimizes the impact of the film. Tanu Grewal is good as well, but her character is unfortunately one-dimensional and she is unable to demonstrate any depth during any of her screen time. Supporting performances from Bir Singh and Hassanpreet Kaur often add a moment of realism to the film but they are futile since the film's rhythm is ultimately boring.

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Even the music from Beat Minister, Jashan Inder, and Deyol Harman could have transformed the film, but instead, it felt only average and forgettable. The background score doesn’t elicit the necessary emotional weight and those songs too do not stay with you after the film is over.

Overall Verdict: While it is a well made visual spectacle, Soohe Ve Cheere Waleya is an emotionally empty experience. It squanders a striking premise and excellent performances on a tedious, lifeless story. What could have been a poetic tale of love across borders ends up as a bland affair that does not earn the viewers' connection.