With a generation of millennials now turning filmmakers, nostalgia for the 1990s is at its peak. This era has seeped into Abhishek Sharma's Suraj Pe Mangal, which features Javed-Mohsin's composition 'Waareya'.
The song provides the backdrop to Diljit Dosanjh and Fatima Sana Shaikh's characters' romance. Sung by Vibhor Parashar, the composition is melodious, sweet, and worth a listen.
The visuals to the song capture the romance that builds between the characters, from spending hours at the local PCO to communicating via pagers. This imagery does, however, feel a bit overdone, with every visual harking back to the period, from drive-in theatres, Nintendo games, and the dove reference in the beginning. Yet, it is sweet for a millennial to see the return of the Yamaha RX 100 and Premier Padmini in a film.
The composition is what makes the visuals worthwhile. To be honest, the former is far more contemporary than the latter, but it does not seem out of place. With a heavy emphasis on melody and harmony, Javed-Mohsin let the focus remain on Parashar's voice, which is accompanied by acoustic guitars. The singer captures the soft, shy nature that Dosanjh reflects onscreen.
While the Punjabi song was still unexplored in 1990s Hindi cinema, the lyrics are well-written and capture Dosanjh's character's overwhelming love. The only twist, perhaps, is the sight of Manoj Bajpayee in disguise.
Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari is directed by Abhishek Sharma and is set to release on 13 November.
Check out 'Waareya' and let us know if you are keen on watching the film.