Simplicity and power go hand in hand for director Tarsem Singh Dhandwar. Known for his stylistically baroque films such as “The Cell,” “The Fall,” “Immortals,” “Mirror Mirror,” and “Self/less,” Dhandwar has returned to his roots with his latest feature, “Dear Jassi.” Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film tells a tragic story that feels like a timeless folktale, rooted in real events.
The film is introduced and narrated by renowned Punjabi singer/composer Kanwar Grewal, who gives it the feel of a story passed down through generations. Set in the 1990s, the film features Punjabi dialogue with subtitles, enhancing the authenticity of its setting and characters.
The story revolves around the young protagonists, Jassi and Mithu. Jassi is a 19-year-old wealthy Indian girl who has moved from Punjab, India, to Canada with her family. During a visit back to India, she meets Mithu, a handsome but poor rickshaw driver. It’s love at first sight, with Jassi captivated by Mithu’s talent in a local game. Despite their different social and financial backgrounds, the two can’t take their eyes off each other. Their courtship begins tentatively, and Jassi declares her desire to stay in India forever.
Sadly, circumstances force Jassi to return to Canada, but she keeps in touch with Mithu through a series of letters. Mithu enlists the help of a local schoolteacher to read the letters aloud since he cannot read or write. Overcome with embarrassment from the outpourings of love in the letters, the teacher turns away while reading, creating a poignant moment of emotional connection between Mithu and Jassi.
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Jassi secretly sends money to Mithu so he can procure a passport and travel to Canada to visit her. However, he falls victim to crooked travel agents and loses the money. Jassi decides to return to India for another visit, and they hatch a plan for Mithu to visit her while her family is sedated with sleeping pills. However, their relationship takes a dangerous turn when Jassi’s uncle shoots and wounds her cousin’s suitor, leading to heightened security and tension within the family compound.
As their love deepens, Jassi and Mithu make the fateful decision to marry in secret. However, their happiness is short-lived when Jassi’s father passes away, and her mother discovers their relationship. Mithu is arrested and falsely accused of rape, setting off a series of calamities that culminate in tragedy.
The screenplay for “Dear Jassi,” written by Amit Rai, is based on the reporting of Canadian journalist Fabian Dawson. Rai’s focus on the two young central figures allows the audience to fully immerse themselves in Jassi and Mithu’s emotional journey. The adults in the film are portrayed as violent, abusive, or hysterical, underscoring the heightened reality of their situation. The story, although unbelievable, is based on true events that have occurred around the world.
Dhandwar adopts a more classical filmmaking style for “Dear Jassi,” relying on striking visual simplicity to convey the story’s emotional depth. While the pacing can feel leisurely at times, and some scenes may seem repetitive, the film’s main characters are thoroughly believable in their heightened emotional states. Jassi and Mithu’s love story evokes shades of Romeo and Juliet, with their naivety and star-crossed romance ultimately leading to their downfall.
The relatively unknown lead actors, Yugam Sood and Pavia Sidhu, deliver compelling performances that keep the audience fully engaged in the complexities of Jassi and Mithu’s relationship. The climactic sequences, expertly staged by Dhandwar, leave a deep impact, leaving viewers shaken by the tragic events that unfold.
In “Dear Jassi,” Tarsem Singh Dhandwar has crafted a film that showcases the power of simplicity. Rooted in real events, the film explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the societal pressures that can tear people apart. With its timeless folktale feel and strong performances, “Dear Jassi” proves to be Dhandwar’s simplest yet most powerful work to date.
