Maurh movie review: Ammy Virk dazzles in a frustratingly mediocre historical drama

Maurh review: Inconsistent writing and direction compromise some spectacular elements and cripples this retelling of the powerful legend of Jeona Morh.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Ammy Virk's film Maurh released in theatres on June 9. (Photo: Instagram/ammyvirk)

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Maurh movie review: Ammy Virk dazzles in a frustratingly mediocre historical drama

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Of late, Punjabi writers have been busy flipping the pages of history to find suitable stories to bring onto the silver screen. The latest in this attempt is Maurh (2023), a historical drama based on the legend of Jeona Morh, a god-fearing, sincere man who takes up arms to protect the victims of oppression and becomes a dacoit.

Written and directed by Jatinder Mauhar, who recently helmed Saade Aale (2022), Maurh is set towards the end of the 19th century, during the time of British rule. Amidst the rugged, sandy terrain of a lesser seen Punjab, we are told of the dual slavery of the people at the time, towards the colonial masters and the zamindars who ruthlessly fed off the people’s labour.

What choice lies with the marginalised who are victims of systemic oppression? Do they cower meekly and remain defeated or do they pick up arms and fight against injustice? This is the pivotal question in the film.

Kishen (Dev Kharoud) has a fiery temperament and refuses to meekly accept brute force. He joins the dacoits and becomes an outlaw. His brother Jeona (Ammy Virk), on the other hand, is a dutiful, god-fearing man who doesn’t want any trouble. He goes about his work, minding his own business but when things become too personal and he sees no other way out, he takes up arms to fight for his people.

It is evident that painstaking details have been borne in mind to translate the compelling legend of Jeona on screen. The well-researched production design by Kazi Rafiq Ali is impressive, as is the costume design by Tejinder Kaur, which together brings alive the historical era with authenticity. DI Colorist Prakash Joseph’s selection of a subtle sepia tint further enhances the periodisation of the drama on screen.

Sadly, however, despite several outstanding elements in the film, the writing and direction falter and the overall impact of Maurh is lost. The slow pace in the first half fails to gather momentum till after the interval. It’s almost as if the writer-director was anxious about the two big-ticket stars, Kharoud and Virk, and was at pains to give them both meaty roles. This, frustratingly, compromises the overall narrative.

The first half belongs to Kharoud, who owns his action-hero persona, looks impressive in the rustic get-up and menacingly rams his way through every obstacle. But Virk steals the limelight in the second half as the vigorous, inspirational Jeona, the dacoit with a heart. With mostly light-hearted comedies and dramas to his credit so far, Virk proves that he can shine as an action hero as well. He invigorates the second half with his passionate performance, leading it to its very satisfactory ending.

Aside from the two central stars, the casting of the actors is on point. From Vikramjeet Virk as the duplicitous bandit lord Dogar, Sikander Ghuman as the conniving Raja who refuses to be defeated by a mere brigand, to veteran actor Naginder Gakhar as the wily moneylender and Sunny Sandhu as the faithful ally and others, each character artiste has been chosen with precision and deliver able performances.

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The legend of Jeona Maurh is a powerful one about the transformation of a simple man to one who fights injustice on behalf of oppressed people. In Jatinder Mauhar’s version, this transformation seems hasty and he whittles away the opportunity for creating a much more engaging, moving film with heart.

An earlier Punjabi-language film on the subject, Jatt Jeona Morh (1991), directed by Ravinder Ravi and starring a young Guggu Gill, was a massive hit. It remains to be seen if this latest rendition of the legend will be able to repeat the success of its predecessor.