Posti review: Slow-paced, muddled lament for drug addicts

The Punjabi-language feature Posti (2022), written and directed by Rana Ranbir, examines the drug menace eating away at the youth of Punjab. Starring Babbal Rai, Surilie Gautam, Prince KJ Singh and Rana Ranbir himself, the hard-hitting film shows us the impact of the menace on the lives of ordinary people.

Jeeva (Babbal Rai) is an educated young man trying to find a suitable job. He is in love with Jeevan (Surilie Gautam), but her family, which controls the drug-peddling business and makes money out of seizing the property of those who are unable to repay their debts, is not happy with the match, as they want someone of their own 'stature'.

Posti trailer: The stranglehold of drugs and its devastating impact

On the other hand is the well-known opium addict Keeda (Prince KJ Singh) whose real name, Karamveer, has been forgotten by the villagers. While he has a good heart, he laments the fact that his life has been ruined by opium, but his greater regret is that his brother (Rana Ranbir) is addicted to hard drugs, specifically chitta or cocaine. The brother squanders away his wife’s income and leads the family to utter ruin. Keeda decides to turn his life around, but the stranglehold of drugs makes monsters out of men.

Posti makes evident the effects on family members of drug addicts as well as the desperation of young men to get employed and find something to occupy themselves. Lack of employment is seen as the main reason why men start peddling drugs to make a living. In its confused messaging, the film sees opium addiction as being a lesser evil, even entertaining the possibility that opium farming be legalized, mainly because alcohol and drugs are being openly sold in the market. There is a lovable-rogue quality to Keeda and his addiction is presented as comical and on the verge of being charming. This is a strange track in the overall anti-drug messaging of the film.

Though Posti highlights a pressing issue, the film moves at a snail’s pace. The background score is overwhelming in many places. The songs 'Ghaint Galbaat' and the romantic 'Tu Meri Aan' stand out. In terms of the narrative, from concentrating on drugs and its effects, the didactic film spends a lot of time on the problems in the romance between Jeeva and Jeevan. It’s almost like the film cannot decide which track it wants to follow. 

Babbal Rai is restrained in his performance and one hopes to see more spirited work from him in the future. In terms of performances, Prince KJ Singh is the soul of this film, but one wishes he had a better etched character with a clear focus. Zareen Khan makes a guest appearance in the film.

Posti has been produced by Gippy Grewal and Ravneet Kaur Grewal.