On the fertile ground

Jasmine Singh

Punjabi films can survive without the loud and drooling comedy. The realisation comes after watching this week’s release, Bailaras. For those of you who wouldn’t know, Bailaras is the brand name of a tractor, around which the entire plot of the film revolves. 

Director Ksshitij Chaudhary is known for his laughter plots, in Bailaras however, he breaks his mould by directing a story that has sensitivity, depth, romance, smile (laughter is a huge expression for Punjab), and emotions. 

While the tractor, Bailaras, plays the inanimate protagonist of the film, the director has proved why it is so. The story of the film, written by Jass Grewal, has newness and all the elements of relatability. Almost every Punjabi, for that matter every agriculturist, can relate to the film. The film has some weak moments (slow pace and exaggerated climax), but the content overshadows it too. 

It is interesting to note that in his previous film, Vekh Baraatan Chaliyan, Binnu Dhillon ventured into Haryana, and now he has turned his drive to Shimla. After a long time, one gets to see the scenic beauty of the Queen of Hills. Bailaras also has a strong element of subtle romance, unseen in Punjabi films where romance also happens, ‘hikk de jor naal.’ 

The songs add to the flow of the film. Ammy Virk and Ranjit Bawa’s tracks pump up the tempo of Bailaras. The strength of the film lies in its star cast and Bailaras boasts of a battery of actors, each justifying their role. 

 Actor Binnu Dhillon proves yet again that he can nail comedy, romance and emotions together and separately too. This actor with a theatre background plays his part like it was cut out just for him. 

Punjabi audience has seen Binnu doing comedy in umpteen films, of late though they are seeing his potential in emotions as well. Binnu can carry the film on his shoulders without cracking a single joke. Karamjit Anmol shows us his fine acting skills yet again. In fact, Karamjit Anmol and Binnu Dhillon’s jodi is now being compared to Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi’s jodi, totally unbeatable. 

Hobby Dhaliwal and Nirmal Rishi have played their characters well. Both the artistes have immense potential, it only takes a fine director to take the best out of them. Dev Kharoud, the Rupinder Gandhi, plays a baddie in the film, and we must say he is quite likeable as a bad man too. Dev is an actor who takes risks by picking different roles and it clearly shows in Bailaras. Thankfully, we have a pretty face Prachi Tehlan who can act as well, though she needs to change her stylist after the Bailaras. And here comes another doe-eyed artiste (after Manav Vij), Ravneet, an anchor-turned-actor who holds a strong potential in films. Jatinder Shah’s music is totally in sync with the theme, subtle and foot-tapping at the same time. 

Bailaras is a strong content-driven film, which has subtly to it, something Punjabi cinema doesn’t engage in much. Bailaras does cross the finish line successfully with just a few glitches. 

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