A prayer answered

Jasmine Singh

What do you expect from a Punjabi film that has actor-comedian Gurpreet Ghuggi in it? A film that has all the ‘comedians’, a film that has Karamjit Anmol, Rana Ranbir, Sardar Sohi and BN Sharma. A film that has a fine singer Ammy Virk and yet another popular name Gippy Grewal in a special appearance? A film that is directed by the same popular singer-actor Gippy Grewal, who would have written the story of the film as well? Well, you can only do an ardaas that all goes well. And guess what someone up there listens to it. Punjabi film Ardaas, right from the word go, falls on track. 

Debutant director Gippy Grewal introduces his characters neatly and gets down to flowing with the story. The film revolves around the power and strength of Gurbaani. With cinematography by Baljit Singh Deo, people and situations are made to look as they are. The film has loads of impactful dialogues, which have been written by Rana Ranbir. Gippy as a director has managed to balance all crème de la crème actors. The film doesn’t sound preachy because it is not; neither can you call it religious. The show-stealers of Ardaas, however, are its brilliant actors and the story. 

Gurpreet Ghuggi deserves a generous mention because it is this actor who has lifted the entire film. A actor who has always managed to evoke laughter in various Punjabi films, makes you cry and look into your soul. Another actor who can balance the light and heavy, tragedy and fun, is Sardar Sohi, who in his loud character is totally relatable. Rana Ranbir has played his part emotionally well, again churning your heart many a times with touching dialogues written by him. Karamjit Anmol is definitely a class actor. BN Sharma does his bit too. Ammy Virk can look forward to a good acting career, only if he starts to breathe between his dialogues. Mandy Takhar and Isha Rikhi... you sob well! The kid, Anmol, who plays Mithu, is simply adorable. Ardaas could be an answer to Bollywood’s Oh My God, which starred Akshay Kumar. 

This is certainly a one-of-its-kind Punjabi film, where all the actors have only worked towards flowing with the story and developing their characters rather than outshining each other. Ardaas is a film that will touch every heart; it doesn’t have a lesson, it has meaning. The songs are all well-placed. In the end, the film leaves you with a prayer that God isn’t far, an assurance we all need!

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