Saab Bahadur: Bond with the best

Jasmine Singh

A murder mystery thriller in Punjabi, how does this sound to you! Well, it’s time to throw away all your preset notions of how Punjabi films deals with anything intelligent other than humour and romance! Because, here is a film that is sure to wash away all the notions! This week’s release, Saab Bahadur directed by Amrit Raj Chadha is certainly a Punjabi film that will keep you hooked to your seats, and by hooked we mean, literally. 

The story of the film is written by Jass Grewal while the dialogues are by Jatinder Lall. Saab Bahadur is a film with tight script, well- written dialogues and equally well-edited. The film doesn’t have any frills, not even a song or a smile is out of place. The director Amrit has certainly done a neat job of taking the story through the end without losing the plot for a second. The cinematography is good, in a way it adds salt and pepper to the suspense.

The background score is pretty James ‘Bondish’, but the good thing is it that it flows with the theme of the film. Unlike some other murder mysteries, which give away their suspense even before it is formed, Saab Bahadur holds it in its gut, till the end. The art team too deserves a pat for keeping everything believable and natural. And another applause for the action team too! 

Now, it’s time for the Saab Bahadur to come in- Punjabi singer-actor Ammy Virk plays the real cop, the Saab Bahadur in the film. The actor has already proved his acting talent with films like Bambukat and Nikka Zaildar, and he nails it this time too. Who says a sardar cannot play a tough cop, well Ammy sure does it neatly. He not only behaves like a cop, he thinks and talks like one, with natural flair and ease.

So much so, this Saab Bahadur doesn’t even smile extra! Looks like Punjabi industry has found its own James Bond in Ammy Virk! Next up are actors Jaswinder Bhalla and Rana Ranbir, the neat, subtle and crisp comedy by them brings easiness in the suspense that one enjoys thoroughly. In fact, this is the first time that actor Jaswinder Bhalla as ‘Munshi’ sounds natural, without going over the top. All the other character artistes in the film have played their acts well, without going overboard. The song in the film is placed as per situation and if you are expecting the cops to break into any dance sequence, you are sadly mistaken because this Saab Babadur means business and only business!