The other day someone uttered the magical words yet again. "A good film is the only kind of film that runs"
That statement so holds true for this Manisha Acharya directed flick.
A take-off on talent hunt reality shows, Loins of Punjab is the story of a talent hunt for a Desi Idol in the US of A.
The story is about the varied characters who wish to participate in this over the weekend contest to make the big bucks.
Variety is the spice of life and these varied characters provide enough spice for the film.
To begin with Preeti Patel, a contestant, has her entire family cheering her through it. Although the family helps take a dig at how Gujaratis speak English, the sweetest part is when they all wear t-shirts supporting their candidate with each one’s relation to the contestant written on the back.
Then there is Shabana Azmi who plays a rich woman who wants to compete with another socialite in terms of wanting to be the bigger donor. She wants to win the money so she can donate the money.
Ayesha Dharker plays the understanding girl friend of a firang who is in love with India. Not an Indian by birth, he definitely is a filmi at heart.
The film can be interpreted more as a tribute to Bollywood than a take off on the same.
It provides enough laughs through the characters who are not trying too hard to be funny.
The director who has studied in US and been in theatre and arts for most of his life, apart from donning the director’s hat also plays a part in the film that of Vikram - the numbers guy.
The script is quite complete in itself - it has comedy, a little romance, a lot of emotion and all the masala that makes a good Bollywood flick.
Although post the film, me and my friends had a dispute if putting in the firang to sing the national anthem was a little too much.
But it just flowed at that point in time. Everyone in the theatre stood up at their own will and it was a great moment - a proud moment rather.
All in all, like I said in the beginning, a good film always works and I hope this one does too!