MELBOURNE, 29 December 2022: After a long time seeing a Punjabi movie was in itself a break. And, the two hours and 14 minutes, I spent watching it a miracle. ‘Honeymoon’ is director Amar Preet Chhabra’s light and entertaining take on a couple’s honeymoon to England, which takes many turns and twists laced with laughter, light moments, common misconceptions, marriage, love, family situations and what not.
Producers Bhushan Kumar, Harman Baweja, Krishan Kumar and Vicky Bahri’s ‘Honeymoon’ is a typical Punjabi masala movie with an unusual NRI angle. No doubt, the Punjabi Diaspora is widespread across the world, the obvious reason for this movie’s plot.
Enticed by a government news to get big money from a land takeover for a proposed airport, a loan is taken against the anticipated windfall and the newly married couple is joined by the extended family (total 14) for a honeymoon jamboree to London, not knowing what a honeymoon is.
The slapstick movie shot partly in London, is full of antics, about Punjabi village-folk landing in England with their rather curious cultural ethos. The laugh-riot starts from the airport landing and continues throughout. The young couple have no privacy deprived of emerging love. As those with them have no idea of what a honeymoon means, the couple devises ways to overcome the deprived bliss.
Some light episodes are worth mentioning. The one where a white man tries a give a honeymoon attempt to the old lady and the hero mistaken to meeting another woman at night are hilarious. The character, a man who looks white but is a ‘pucca’ (real) Punjabi and the man who is actually a ‘surma’ seller stand out well. The songs are just inserted here and there. Pakistani comedian Nasir Chinyoti, gives a good performance as the man who looks after the honeymooners in London.
Acting at times reasonable but average. Still, the family drama is enjoyable with a few social messages. I bet, it will not be difficult to cross the two hours plus. Not bad for year-end.
Director: Amar Preet Chhabra
Producers: Bhushan Kumar, Harman Baweja, Krishan Kumar
Music Director: Jaani
Cinematographer: Attar Singh Saini
Actors: Gippy Grewal, Jasmin Bhasin (Big Boss 14), Harby Sangha, Karamjit Anmol, Naresh Kathuria, Nirmal Rishi, Nasir Chinyoti etc.
Streaming at: Netflix
Language: Punjabi with English subtitles
Duration: 2 hours 14 minutes
Genere : Comedy
