A Tale of Two Borders: The Story of Soohe Ve Cheere Waleya When you sit down to watch a Punjabi movie these days, you usually expect a loud comedy or a gangster drama. But every once in a while, a film comes along that feels less like a movie and more like a memory—a piece of the past that we’ve almost forgotten. Soohe Ve Cheere Waleya is exactly that kind of experience. It takes us back to the charm of the 1990s, a time when love wasn’t about WhatsApp texts or Instagram likes, but about patience, waiting, and the deep pain of separation. The Setting: A Punjab We Miss The story drops us right into the rural heartland of Punjab. It’s the era of the “wireless set”—that bulky radio device that was basically the mobile phone of its time for farmers and villagers living near the border. The vibe is pure nostalgia. You see the green fields, the simple mud houses, and the slow pace of life that feels so different from today’s chaos. At the center of this world is Sooba (played by Nirvair Pannu), a young man who is the definition of a “desi” romantic. He isn’t a rich NRI or a college stud; he’s a guy deeply connected to his roots. But Sooba has a secret. He spends his time on his wireless set, scanning frequencies, looking for a connection in the void. A Love Beyond Words (and Borders) The twist in Soohe Ve Cheere Waleya is how the romance begins. Sooba connects with a family across the border in Pakistan. This isn’t a political thriller; it’s a human story. Through the crackle of the radio static, he becomes entranced by a household on the other side. But here is the heart-wrenching part: the girl he falls for, Naazo (played by Tanu Grewal), cannot speak. This creates such a unique dynamic in the story. In a world where everyone is talking, shouting, or singing, the leading lady is silent. Her silence speaks volumes, though. The chemistry between Sooba and Naazo is built on pure emotion rather than cheesy dialogues. Since she can’t talk back on the wireless, their connection becomes a game of understanding, feeling, and the help of those around them. It reminds you that true love doesn’t really need a language. The Shadow of the Border You can’t talk about this movie without talking about the “Laker” (the border). The film does a brilliant job of showing how the border isn’t just a line on a map; it’s a wound that never quite healed. The families on both sides share the same culture, the same language (Punjabi), and the same history, yet they are divided by a fence and a politics they have no control over. As Sooba’s love for Naazo grows, so does the tension. The movie doesn’t shy away from the reality of the situation. How can a boy from Indian Punjab dream of a life with a girl from the Pakistani side? The odds are impossible. The screenplay beautifully weaves in the pain of the elders who remember a time before the Partition, making the young couple’s struggle feel like a continuation of a tragedy that started in 1947. The Emotional Rollercoaster As the story progresses, it moves from the sweet, shy romance of the first half into intense drama. It’s not just about “will they meet?” It’s about family honor, the rigidity of borders, and the innocence of rural life clashing with the harsh realities of the world. There are moments in the second half that will genuinely make you choke up. When you see Sooba’s desperation—wearing his “Soohe” (red) turban, which is symbolic of his love and promise—you feel his helplessness. It captures that specific Punjabi sentiment of Birha (separation) that our folk songs always talk about. Nirvair Pannu, despite being a debutant in this film, carries that pain in his eyes perfectly. He doesn’t overact; he just is the character. Final Thoughts By the time the credits roll, Soohe Ve Cheere Waleya leaves you with a heavy heart but a satisfied soul. It’s not a fast-paced thriller. It’s a slow burn. It asks you to slow down and listen. It’s a story about how love can travel through radio waves and cross barbed wire fences, even if the people cannot. If you are tired of the same old comedy sequels and want to watch something that feels like literature brought to life, this is the story for you. It’s a beautiful, tragic, and visually stunning reminder that while politicians draw lines on maps, the heart doesn’t recognize them.