Mirzya is inspired by the story of the star-crossed lovers Mirza-Sahiban, a popular folklore from Punjab. In this screen adaptation, the scenario plays out in Rajasthan, shot mesmerizingly by cinematographer, Pawel Dyllus.
At the core of the story are Mohnish and Suchi, who were separated when the pre-teen boy is sent to a juvenile correction home for murder. Years later, Suchi returns from London to marry Prince Karan ( Anuj) . By a quirk of fate, she discovers her childhood friend, who now calls himself Aadil, in the palace stable. During her riding lessons, the curly-haired to-be princess discovers that the embers of her love for the stable-hand have not really died down.
On his part, Aadil realises that if he must win his childhood sweetheart over, he has to cross swords with the Prince and Suchi’s father ( Art Malik) , who is hell-bent on her wedlock to royalty. In the hands of the astute Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra ( Rang De Basanti, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag) , this musical, which has a melodious score by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy with additional tracks by Daler Mehndi, unfolds languidly in a Broadway-style format. Interspersing the present-day track with a period folklore, Mehra and Gulzar ( credited with screenplay and lyrics) give viewers an engaging and lavish big-screen experience.