Mirza Juuliet movie review: Good performances doesn't save half-drowned film

Director: Rajesh Ram Singh

Cast: Darshan Kumaar, Pia Bajpai, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Priyanshu Chaterjee

In the era of experimental cinema, Mirza Juuliet lacks every possible aspect of a good film. Director Rajesh Ram Singh directed a TV series called Service Wali Bahu and now the film seems like a sequel to the show titled Mirzapur Wali Bahu. Well, set in Uttar Pradesh, Mirzapur, Mirza Juuliet starts off quite well but fails to impress till it reaches to the climax.

Mirza (Darshan Kumaar) goes through a troubled childhood as he kills the murderer of her mother and is sent to the juvenile cell. He then was raised by his relatives. Julie (Pia Bajpai), childhood friend of Mirza is a vivacious and bold beauty of her town. She lives on her own terms and is the only sister of Dharam Raj (Priyanshu Chaterjee), a so called local goon of Mirzapur.

He fixes Julie with soon to become CM of the state Rajan (Chandan Roy Sanyal), who is a lustful young boy and is disturbingly fond of phone sex. Mirza secretly admires Julie but never confesses about it. Later, in the series of events Julie realises her love for Mirza and decides to run away with him. The two reach Nepal followed by Dharam Raj and Rajan. What happens next is no thing novel.

The trailer of the film raised huge expectations since it had some rawness to it. Small town love, city politics and cuss words; it was enough to give you an urge to watch the film but it turned out to be blah. The film plot has nothing new to it. Director Rajesh Ram Singh seriously thinks that Indian audiences still live in the ancient era of the 90’s when love triangles were done to death. Through the plot, Mirza Juuliet will remind you of the romantic cult Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Ishaqzaade. The narrative of the film is soggy considering the film is based on the backdrop of city politics.

The biggest glitch in the film is its narrative. Shanti Bhushan who has written the dialogues and screenplay is clearly blind to the modern way of telling a story. The film has many jump cuts on the edits that it makes the film look funny. Just by putting brash dialogues, director can’t get away with the film.

Over to the actors now. Darshan Kumaar looks good in his mildly grey role while Pia Bajpai lightens the screen with her beauty and dialogue deliveries. Priyanshu Chaterjee looks great too in his strict and rugged role. The one who disappoints the most is Chandan Roy Sanyal who looks like a loser throughout the film. He is inarguably wasted in the film. The performances of the actors are the saving grace of this half drowned film.

Ajay Pandey has beautifully captured the interiors of Uttar Pradesh especially the scenes shot on the banks of Ganges and Nepal. Music by Ksrna Solo is just about average. Tukda Tukda might appeal to you at best. Mirza Juuliet might garner whistles in Uttar Pradesh but surely won’t achieve much in multiplexes. Watch the film for its performances else or any other potboiler would work for you this weekend along with popcorns and chilled drinks on your TV sets at home.