Heer Express Movie Review: A Predictable Journey That Runs Out of Steam

Heer Express Movie Storyline: Heer Walia (Divita Juneja), raised by her doting uncles (Gulshan Grover and Sanjay Mishra) in Punjab after losing her mother at birth, gets an unexpected chance to honour her mother’s legacy by running an Indian restaurant in London. However, greed, sabotage, and buried family secrets threaten to derail her dreams.

Review: Umesh Shukla’s Heer Express is pitched as clean family entertainment, but the film ends up being a dull, cliché-ridden drama. While the premise of a young woman honouring her late mother through her work has emotional potential, the execution feels dated and uninspired. The screenplay trudges along with predictable beats, lacking both freshness and energy.

The narrative packs in everything from lush Punjabi landscapes, dhol beats, and large-hearted relatives to family separations, patriotism, and sabotage. Yet, none of these elements resonate meaningfully. Instead, they come across as tired tropes, with every twist appearing forced rather than organic. Emotional moments too feel like boxes being ticked, offering no surprises or depth.

Performances provide the film’s few saving graces. Divita Juneja makes a promising debut, infusing Heer with spirit and resilience, often carrying the film on her shoulders. Prit Kamani as Ronny, Heer’s quiet admirer, gives a confident performance but is underutilised. Ashutosh Rana brings gravitas when restrained, while Gulshan Grover and Sanjay Mishra disappoint with forced comedy that falls flat.

The film completely derails in its climax, where melodrama peaks with absurd cinematic liberties — including a letter being read from a commentary box at an equestrian competition. By then, the narrative feels exhausting, testing the audience’s patience more than engaging their emotions.

Verdict: Heer Express tries to deliver clean family entertainment but gets stuck in the past, weighed down by tired clichés and a lack of originality. Despite a spirited lead performance, it ends up as a journey that runs out of steam before reaching its destination.