Tunka Tunka Movie Review: Hardeep Grewal's debut movie is watchable despite lack of depth

Tunka Tunka Movie Review: Punjabi Mania present before you the full movie review of recently released Punjabi movie titled ‘Tunka Tunka’.

Cast: Hardeep Grewal, Sardar Sohi, Hashneen Chauhan, Balwinder Bullet, Sameep Singh, Lakha Lehri, Antar, Jagdeep Sarpanch and Armaan.

Director: Garry Khatrao.

Producer: Hardeep Grewal.

Music: Yeah Proof and R Guru.

Genre: Drama, Sports.

Running Time: 118 minutes (U certified).

Tunka Tunka Movie Review

First of all, it is commendable of singer-turned-actor-turned-producer Hardeep Grewal to take a courageous decision of releasing his debut movie in these testing and uncertain times. With 'Tunka Tunka' being the first Punjabi movie to release after the second wave of COVID-19 in India, it sure will provide confidence to other producers and open doors for the release of many more Punjabi movies.

"Vaar-vaar diggna, vaar-vaar sattan khaaniyan. Pher ose thaan te race laun layi aa khade hona [You keep falling, keep getting injured. But you still come back to the same place for another race]," Arjan Singh (Balwinder Bullet), who plays the role of a cycling coach in Tunka Tunka, tells a young Fateh Singh Sidhu (Sameep Singh) very early in the movie.

More or less, this dialogue sums up the spirit of Tunka Tunka. Touted as an inspiring movie for people who get affected by daunting circumstances in life, Tunka Tunka is quite an effective effort in fulfilling what it had promised in the first place. Fighting back against all odds when your back is against the wall, Tunka Tunka provides a heavy dosage of motivation throughout its runtime of 118 minutes.

Hardeep Grewal, who plays the role of a grown-up Fateh Sidhu, registers an assured performance for a debutant in the Punjabi industry. Considering the extent of physical transformation that he has undergone for Tunka Tunka, it goes without saying that post-transformation scenes are the best ones in the movie. Playing in the background, Kanwar Grewal's 'Mehmaan' not just adds meat but also adds the much-needed emotional quotient to these scenes.

Grewal, who has also written the screenplay and dialogues of the movie, is found wanting in the writing department though as inconsistent and slow-paced screenplay doesn't work in the movie's favour. Furthermore, Tunka Tunka also appears to be suffering from an undersupply of research on the part of Grewal and script writer J Davin. Cycling and cancer are two primary wheels of Tunka Tunka but neither of them is delineated enough in the movie.

For those who don't know, many music videos of Grewal's successful single tracks have been directed by Garry Khatrao. Khatrao, who makes his directorial debut (feature film) in Tunka Tunka, isn't entirely successful in replicating the success achieved through his music videos.

Khatrao, who also doubles up as the editor of the movie, appears to have been caught by the dual responsibility. As a result, a commonplace screenplay and editing join hands to play hindrance in the movie's road towards a different and an ideal level.

Talking about other actors, child actor Sameep Singh seems to be becoming the go-to individual for parts in sports-based Punjabi movies for valid reasons. A special mention needs to be made of another child actor Pawel Sehaura for his convincing cameo as Rocky.

Bullet, who has started to make a name for himself, showcases another praiseworthy performance. Credit to the writer for giving Bullet a backstory which adds weight to his character. Veteran actor Sardar Sohi does well on yet another occasion. Sohi really puts soul behind a father's character who sees his son go through agony of the highest level. Hashneen Chauhan also justifies her presence in whatever she has been given in a somewhat forced romantic sequence.

Tunka Tunka, which relies heavily on songs, is successful in putting together a laudable music album. In addition to Kanwar Grewal's song, Hardeep Grewal's 'Rakh Haunsla' is another first-rate song from the movie.

All in all, Tunka Tunka should go down as an exemplary attempt of trying to do something unusual in unusual times. Although Tunka Tunka has a lot of scope for improvement, it is a watchable movie. I don't know how Hardeep Grewal's acting career will turn out from hereon but his debut will doubtlessly be remembered for sincere efforts in a bid to achieve a mind-blowing transformation.