Jugni

Given the other two releases this week, Jugni has to be a cracker of a film to find its feet at the box-office or even manage enough screens. While familiarity is said to breed contempt, unfamiliar faces rarely encourage Hindi film-goers; and this one has many. But director Shefali Bhushan's debut production is honest, unadulterated and perhaps, a bit indulgent.

Great intention, a contemporary story, good execution and soul-stirring music. What else could you want in a movie? 'Jugni' more or less captures your heart and imagination like a solid movie should. A thoroughbred city musician, Vibhavari (Sugandha Garg), goes to Hassanpur in search of a famed Punjabi folk singer, Bibi Swaroop (Sadhana Singh). But she is more fascinated by Bibi's son Mastana (Siddhant Behl) and his talent.

Mustard fields do occasionally loom in the backdrop - that is inevitable - but Jugni has a glow that instantly sets it apart from the average Punjab film that Bollywood produces. It looks, feels and sounds different. It has no Bhangra routines, no wedding songs, no inane lyrics, and no semi-clad floozies. What the beautifully nuanced Jugni film has is a meaningful, if somewhat thin, plot peopled with eminently relatable characters.

Music is a great leveller, and can bring different people together. That thought is at the heart 'Jugni', a film that twines a tale of romance around the traditional Punjabi folk-song style (of the same name), used rousingly through the narrative in a way that has your head nodding to the beat.

Jugni must have been a terrific thought on paper. Bubbling with fresh ideas, with the advantage of its novel perspective, it clearly had potential. But, the film is run down by its weak storyline. The musical romance that brings two people together from different worlds, who bond over music, falls flat when neither the performances nor its music soar high enough.