Director Umesh Shukla gets the dubious distinction of directing two of the releases this week, Ek Chatur Naar and now this Heer Express, both diametrically different from one another.
But different is not necessarily a virtue. Heer Express chugs along on the strength of its sweet won’t-hurt-a-fly temperament and a mood of mellow affability, where you know nothing can go wrong. At least, not for long.
In fact, the interval point crisis seems so manufactured, you cringe in sympathy.
Some of the supportive cast is reliably sturdy, keeping the wispy plot from falling apart. But the focus is single-mindedly on projecting the young debutante Divita Juneja as an all-rounder. In the title role, Ms Juneja gets a rousing reception from the made-to-order script. She cooks like a qualified chef, rides horses like a professional jockey (hence the derby in the US for the climax), sings like an angel, dances like the runner-up on Dance India Dance, and wins hearts like Rajesh Khanna in Anand.
In brief, Ms Juneja is everyone’s favourite; at least she is meant to be. Ironically, Prit Kamani, who plays ‘THE BOYFRIEND’ Ronny, steals the show every time he is around (which is quite often, since the plot seems to depute him as a pillar in the proceedings). Kamani, who has been hanging around, and not only in this film, for quite a while, makes you wonder why genuine talent is so often sidelined in our cinema.
The veterans Gulshan Grover and Sanjay Mishra make a fool of themselves, sloshing all over the place as Heer’s uncles who just can’t do without her. When she gets an offer to work in a restaurant in London, the uncles follow her. I am sure if and when Heer marries Ronny, the two annoying uncles will follow her to their honeymoon.
The London hijinks include Ashutosh Rana, his English wife Olivia (played awfully by an actress who needs immediate acting lessons), and their wayward son who divides his time between pubs and jail, and spends Daddy’s money as though there is no tomorrow.
Shades of Rishi Kapoor’s Aa Ab Laut Chalen here. Shall we go back?
Also Read: Aabeer Gulaal review: Classy ambrosial excursion into romcom territory
