1. The story
During the regime of Mughal Emporer Aurangzeb musicians got persecuted, as he believed that music took a man away from GOD. Even after Aurangzeb’s death, various rulers who succeeded him had a fixed mindset about music and they tried to suppress it with their own methods. In one such period came Waris Shah ( Gurdas Maan), a disciple of Baba Makhdoom, who popularized music. To fulfill the last wish of his Guru, Waris Shah reached a village to write the epic love story of HEER RANJHA which was now his sole mission in life.

2. Critical Analysis
With his new film Waris Shah Gurdas Maan goes one step ahead. Rarely one could have come across such expensive film in Punjabi since the film depicts the life and times of Waris Shah, it required a township of 18th century. And director and art director must be complimented for creating such a huge and realistic set of the village.You feel like you are watching a bi budget Hindi film. Right from the first scene the director is in command of the situation, and as the film progresses the drama becomes more and more interesting. Juhi chawla looks as cute and charming as she looked in her prime. And since the film is about music, it had to be major highlight and it is so. The power of the song ‘Allah Hu’ and its picturisation moves you inside out.

3. Trade Analysis
Production values are excellent. Technically very good. Script could have been more tight. Dialogues are brilliant. Musically, a top class effort. Cinematography very competent. Choreography very good. Editing crisp. Performance wise Gurdas Maan comes out with the best performance of his career. Juhi chawla is a perfect foil to Gurdas Maan. Divya Dutta is very good. Sushant singh, Gurkirtan and Mukesh rishi act very well. Directorically Manoj Punj once again proves that he is a director of top class.

AT BOX OFFICE IT WILL DO WELL
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Released this week in Punjab Sai Productions’ Waris Shah – Ishq Daa Waaris is the legendary love story of poet Waris Shah. Suraj sanim’s script is well researched and written wih finesse. Dialogues are very good.

Gurdas Maan plays the title role with aplomb and all sincerity at his command.

Juhi Chawla shines. She looks pretty, though a bit over weight. Her costumes deserve special mention. Divya Dutta does justice to her role. Sushant Singh leaves a mark in a small role. All the actors lend a lovely support.

Manoj Punj’s direction is very good. However the slow pace of the drama will keep the youth away from the film. Jaidev Kumar’s music is good. RA. Krishna’s cinematography is eye-filling. Production values are of good standard.

On the whole waris shah – ishq daa waaris is an appealing fare.It should score in India as well as overseas circuit.

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WARIS SHAH - ISHQ DAA WAARIS RELEASED UNDER SAI PRODUCTIONS BANNER - Complete Cinema 30th september 2006

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Elite - Phagwara
Raja - Fazilka

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Super Cinema - 30th september 2006

Sai Productions' Waris Shah - Ishq Daa Waaris released this week. It is the tale of the lengendary sufi poet Waris Shah covering the period when he wrote the classic HEER. The period is early 18th century. Aurangzeb is gone but his order curbing music in the country is still being followed by certain muslim rulers. Sufi saints continue with their songs as their pholosophy takes them nearer to GOD through music.

Gurdas Maan plays the role of a young poet musician Waris Shah and he becomes a disciple of Baba Makhdoom ( Mukesh Rishi ). Baba Makhdoom is killed by the Muslim ruler because he sings and loves music.

Director Manoj Punj does a commendable job in extracting good performances from the actors and faithfully creating the atmosphere of the period. But his technique remains traditional.

Bombay Times - Times of India 7th October 2006.

Waris Shah - Ishq Daa Waaris Chosen for Berlin Film Festival Asia Pacific.

Maan Says " Its always great when your films reach a wider audience and that too an international one. But more importantly the appreciation from people back home is what gives me a high! " Now that's Ishq Daa Maan for you!