One of the many Hindi films being released this weekend is 72 Hours: Martyr Who Never Died, a film based on 1962 Sino-Indian war hero Jaswant Singh Rawat.
The film’s makers have released the song ‘Tum Bepanah’, sung by Mohit Chauhan, whose voice is so mellifluous that it can lift even a dull track.
‘Tum Bepanah’ has fairly basic lyrics, a collaborative effort between Sujata Devrari and Vikas Chauhan. But it is Chauhan’s sheer talent that will make you listen to this track.
Priyanka Negi, the other singer in the duet, had sung the underrated but brilliant ‘Titri’ song from Phamous (2018). Negi, however, is not as convincing here. In her defence, she has to bear the brunt of the dull antara lyrics.
The music by Sunjoy Bose is decent. The slow nature of the track sees Bose keep the music to a minimum. It is Chauhan’s defining voice that has a more powerful effect.
Writer-director Avinash Dhyani himself plays protagonist Jaswant Singh Rawat, a soldier of the 4 Garhwal Rifles who has become a legend in the army for his refusal to desert his post when ordered to fall back and, with just two local women porters for company, holding the Chinese off for three days until his post was overrun. He reportedly shot himself dead to avoid being taken prisoner. Soldiers and locals believe he lives on and guards the pass to this day.
Not much is known about Rawat’s life, however, and it appears that Dhyani has created a romantic angle between him and a local woman. Yeshi Dema, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, is facing the camera for the first time and it would be harsh to judge her based on this song. However, it is refreshing to see a Hindi film involving a possible romance between a mainland Indian and a Northeast woman. Even more refreshing is the choice of a local talent to play the role.
‘Tum Bepanah’ is certainly not the most captivating of romantic numbers, but the magic of Mohit Chauhan’s voice makes it worth a watch.
72 Hours is set to be released on 18 January. Let us know if you are keen to watch the movie.