Ajj De Ranjhe

Ajj De Ranjhe is an entertaining Punjabi comedy-drama movie released in the year 2012, directed by Manmohan Singh. Known for his keen sensibilities of portraying Punjabi culture on cinema, Singh did not disappoint the audience with this film as well. The movie features an ensemble cast including well-known Punjabi actors like Aman Dhaliwal, Gurleen Chopra, and Gurpreet Ghuggi and is produced by Punj-Aab Movies International.

The film is a light-hearted and amusing take on the socio-economic dynamics of contemporary Punjab. The narrative presents the story of the youth of Punjab, struggling to land a decent job even after having educational qualifications. Amidst this, it showcases the paradox of an average Punjabi family’s dream of sending their kid abroad for a better future and crash landing on the hard grounds of reality.

Aman Dhaliwal brilliantly portrays the character of Deep, a well educated, urban youth struggling to find a job. Fed up with the blatant corruption in the government job sector and the unemployment in the private sector, Deep decides to venture towards an unconventional path. On the other hand, Gurleen Chopra’s character, Preeti, is a strong independent woman full of life, child of a retired schoolteacher father, adding an essence of realism to Punjabi society's portrayal.

Meanwhile, Gurpreet Ghuggi, known for his impeccable comic timing, formulates a significant chunk of the movie’s comic relief. Portraying a character with a scammy get-rich-quick scheme, Ghuggi brings in the much-required hilarity in this witty yet thought-provoking narrative.

Ajj De Ranjhe, while primarily being a hilarious ride, doesn't step down from showcasing the stark realities of Punjab youth's struggler life. It beautifully embodies the agony, dreams, aspirations, and realities of what an average Punjabi youth experiences. Frustrations, aspirations, dreams, and reality, along with a bundle of quirks, forms the core of Ajj De Ranjhe.

The film uses comedy as a tool to present a commentary about the prevalent corruption, the stark realities of the struggle for a secure job, and the desolation that follows. It resonates with the common man's voice, underlining the ironies of the society we live in.

The director, Manmohan Singh, is hailed for his commendable job of weaving a storyline that deals with satire, romance, and family drama while upholding a seamless screenplay keeping the audience engaged till the end. Singh's movies are known to portray Punjabi culture in its full spectrum, and this film is no different.

The film has catchy music, a critical element in Punjabi cinema, composed by the renowned Punjabi music director Jatinder Shah. Each track in the film is beautifully designed to portray love, life, disappointment, jubilation, and camaraderie, encapsulating the overall feel of the movie in its music.

The movie's cinematography, vividly painting the beautiful landscapes of Punjab, significantly adds to the movie's overall appeal, making it a visual treat. The cultural set pieces and costumes add an authentic flavor to the film, grounding it in the Punjabi setting.

Coming to a technical perspective, the screenplay of the movie is well written and evenly paced. The comic punches are timed well and delivered naturally. The dialogues, written in local dialect, stay in tune with the narrative's heartbeat, adding a tint of joyous subtlety to it.

Despite the hurdles it chooses to portray, Ajj De Ranjhe spreads the message of hope, aspiration, and the spirit to keep fighting the struggles life throws at one. It firmly believes that despite the hardships thrown at them, the spirited youth of Punjab never stops dreaming and striving to achieve them. In conclusion, Ajj De Ranjhe is a one-stop package of a social narrative with comic elements, resulting in a satisfying cinematic experience.