Arbaaz Khan Production, Aks Movies & Entertainment, Cinekorn Entertainment and Seamless Productions LLP’s Bandaa Singh Chaudhary (UA) is set in the mid- and late-seventies and early eighties in Punjab. It is based on a lesser known true story.
Bandaa Singh Chaudhary (Arshad Warsi) and Lalli (Meher Vij) live in Punjab with their little daughter, Nemat (Kiara Khanna). While the village in which they live is inhabited by Sikhs, Bandaa Singh is the only Hindu alive in that village. In fact, wife Lalli is also a Sikh. In 1980, the ISI in Pakistan is trying to separate Punjab from India and towards this end, it is attempting to drive out all Hindus from Punjab. At first, Bandaa Singh resists but he leaves Punjab with his family when there’s death staring him in the face. Bandaa Singh’s bosom pal, Tajendra (Jeeveshu Ahluwalia), was murdered by the ISI because of his friendship with Bandaa.
After a few days, Bandaa Singh takes up for Tajendra’s sister, Meher (Alisha Chopra), when she is troubled by the ISI. Gradually, Tajendra’s widow (Shilpi Marwah) musters support for Bandaa Singh in the village. In the end, the Sikh villagers and Bandaa Singh kill the ISI’s men including Bagga (Shataf Figar).
Shaheen Iqbal and Abhishek Saxena have penned an ordinary story. It is not so wonderful or inspirational that the audience would stare in disbelief. Shaheen Iqbal’s screenplay keeps the audience engaged to an extent only, as the drama often gets predictable. Because it is clichéd, the drama doesn’t once evoke excitement that can make the viewers sit up and take note. Shaheen Iqbal’s dialogues are good.
Arshad Warsi acts well in the title role but it’s anybody’s guess that he can’t carry a film on his shoulders as he is now too old to be a hero. Meher Vij performs ably as Lalli. Jeeveshu Ahluwalia is good as Tajendra. Shilpi Marwah makes her mark as Tajendra’s wife. Alisha Chopra has her moments in the role of Tajendra’s sister, Meher. Kiara Khanna is alright as little Nemat. Sachin Negi is okay as Lalli’s brother, Harpal. Shataf Figar is quite good as Bagga. Garry Dhillon is so-so as Tajendra’s son, Kukki. Samuel John is average as Cheema. Jernail Singh provides routine support as police inspector Surjit Gill.
Abhishek Saxena’s direction is ordinary. Rahul Jain and Anand Bhaskar’s music is average. Lyrics (Kunaal Verma, Shaheen Iqbal and Jax 53) are so-so. Shabina Khan and Saurabh Prajapati’s choreography is okay. Background music (by Rooshin Dalal and Kaizad Gherda) is average. Simarjit Suman’s camerawork is appealing. Harpal Singh Pali’s action and stunt scenes are alright. Production designing (by Tariq Umar Khan and Nadiri Khan) is okay. Sanjay Sankla’s editing should’ve been sharper.
On the whole, Bandaa Singh Chaudhary will meet with a poor fate at the box-office.
Released on 25-10-’24 at Inox (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru AA Films. Publicity & opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.