Saunkan Saunkne review: Nimrat Khaira sparkles in this enjoyable domestic comedy

The Punjabi feature Saunkan Saunkne, directed by Amarjit Singh Saron, written by Amberdeep Singh and starring Ammy Virk, Sargun Mehta and Nimrat Khaira is an entertaining comedy about a man caught between two wives.

Naseeb Kaur (Mehta) and Nirmal (Virk) are a married couple who have been trying to have a child for many years. They visit babas and doctors, try black magic and everything else in their power to have a child but to no avail.

When all else fails, Naseeb suggests her husband bring home another wife, and who better than her own sister Kiran (Khaira). Nirmal thinks the plan is crazy but agrees reluctantly for the sake of having a child.

Saunkan Saunkne trailer: Family squabbles make for entertaining comedy

The first half of the film focuses on the courtship between Kiran and Nirmal. The two of them get married, but destiny has other plans and things do not go as smoothly as envisaged. As the romance between Kiran and Nirmal blossoms, Naseeb feels left out and begins vying for her husband’s attention.

Caught in the middle of it all is Nirmal, running from one wife to another, leading to many hilarious moments. He tries to solve things impartially as a panchayat member and attempts to implement the advice of friends to "take control" of his wives but fails miserably. Meanwhile, the villagers have great fun at their expense.

Although the light-hearted comedy keeps the film going, the narrative begins to drag towards the end of the second half and the resolution is long-drawn. This, along with Nirmal's fate at the end, are the two discordant notes in an otherwise enjoyable film.

Virk plays the hapless husband well, caught between the two women. He tries to assert himself but becomes a hen-pecked husband, with two wives, no less. Mehta plays the jealous, controlling wife in the first half and tries to salvage her position in the house.

While the performances of the cast are impressive, Khaira’s spunky character stands out as she takes charge of her husband and her sister. Her performance as a feisty woman who will brook no nonsense is hilarious in this entertainer. Her clear voice and enunciation are particularly notable.

The music by Desi Crew goes well with the overall theme. The slow number ‘Tu Pak Pavitar Ruh’, the catchy romantic song ‘Sade Kothe Utte’, the celebration song ‘Taur Sardar Saab Di’ and the energetic title song especially stand out.

Saunkan Saunkne was released in cinemas on 13 May.