Mirzya: Past or Present?

Mirzya has been creating buzz since quite a while. Be it about the new comer actors Saiyami Kher and Harshvardhan Kapoor or be it the idea of a full on love story from the director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra who gave us films like Rang de Basanti and Bhag Milkha Bhag. Finally when the trailer came off it got us all intrigued about the storyline of the film.

Mirzya is adapted from the ancient Punjab Folk story of two lovers Mirza and Saheba. 

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has tried to create the love story in grandeur between the mix of Shakespeare’s Romeo Juliet Musical and a Rajasthani Katputtaly Tamasha, which is quite a unique and fresh concept! Gulzar Sahab has maintained the soul of the story in the screenplay with a twist.

The film begins with a time travel, about two lovers, the hero of course fighting for his heroine. The era is created in the scenic views of Ladakh with dramatic costumes and detailed tattoos.The film seamlessly trips back in time, with two young kids.

Two best friends, studying together in school, the girl (Suchitra aka Suchi) is the daughter of a police official sharing a very poetic bond with eachother and our boy (Monish or Adil Mirza) belongs to an average middle class family. The friendship takes a bad turn when the boy is caught in a crime scene, which he commits for her best friend cum newfound love. This leads to their separation with filling emptiness in their lives.

With every major scene and before time travel there’s Rajasthani folk vibe song with all the dancers depicting the mood and taking the story forward, which is pretty cool.

After a time leap Suchi and Adils’s path meet again when Suchi is engaged to a Prince (Anuj Chaudhary) and Adil is just a mere horse rider and caretaker in Prince’s horse stable. The palace and fort views with all the Maharaja kind lifestyle are depicted well in the film with all the detailing.

 With circumstances, Suchi realizes Adil is Monish and the long lost love between them. But the chemistry and their body language don’t state the same in the film. Then the same saga of the world against them be it this era or any other era, they fight against odds by running away and the moments between them finally spark some real love for the audience.

Resting under the tree the fear of the death of loved ones Suchi removes all the bullets from the gun or breaks all the arrows except one bullet in the gun or one arrow left. When they are in sleep, they are attacked but our hero dies staring in Suchi’s eyes searching for answers. 

Daler Mehndi has given voice to the title track and sound amazing in the theatre. Loved the music of the film and how it helps build a story. Strong supporting cast of Om Puri, Art Malik and K K Raina have nothing much to do in the film. Cinematography, art direction with fabulous detailing and colors, Story line is remarkable except for the fact the chemistry between the two debutants. The pain, the pleasure or the sadness nothing is translated well by the two. The kid Monish and Suchi were better literally.

Costumes of the film are handled by Niharika Bhasin Khan, Leepakshi Ellawadi and Samidha Wagnoo. With two time frames in the film there was a lot of groundwork for the costume department. The ancient era when its almost like raw leather and hemp clothing with tie-ups, gladiator shoes, boots with men riding on horses draws some inspiration of Greek and Roman Clothing. The looks still manage to stand unique with all the tattoo depiction, high bun for men and strong eyeliner for the heroine. Love the Red color of the Outfit Saiyami was wearing with bare back.

Coming back to the current era, the Royalty of Rajasthanis are depicted well with the Prince’s wardrobe from Polo Dressing to Suits to his Casual Dressing. Maharaj is seen in some cool Nehru Jackets and Bandhgalas, the only thing I would have changed for him was his pair of Sunglasses, too big for his face almost covering it all. Suchi’s costumes clearly hints that she studied abroad but still knows about the conservative rules in the family. From simple jeans to regular tops and shirts while playing with bare minimum jewelry gave a great sense of character.

On the other hand Monish is seen  wearing rugged jeans and cargos with worn out t-shirt and a jacket, which kind of gives a vibe that prince, gave away his old clothes for the servant to wear.

The wedding scenes showcased beautiful Rajwada jewelry, Turbans and outfits. The contrast of that heavy red lehenga with rugged clothes looks great visually.

The best part for me was when the folksongs comes in and the sight of local village created with girls in bright bold ghagras and deep cholis, with men in just dhotis and kotis with deep kohl eyes depicts the drama well.

Visually some stunning backgrounds, costumes and locations with a good mix of music, but some how feels incomplete and how much ever one wants to connect and feel the pain of the separation between the lovers, it fails miserably on that front. I only wish if we had a different Suchi and Monish and some passionate chemistry, the film had definitely created some rage like Ram-Leela.


Love,

Cine Closet.