Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 17: When Heer Express came steaming into theaters on 12 September 2025, it guaranteed a “clean family drama” in the hands of Umesh Shukla—someone whose own body of work (Oh My God!, 102 Not Out) indicated he might be able to juggle heart, humour, and a dash of moral heat. The movie tries to thread together family heritage, ambition, love, and displacement from culture. The outcome? Agreeable in spots, formulaic at others—like your go-to homely dish with too many spices cranked up.
What the Story Is, In Brief
Heer Walia (Divita Juneja, making her film debut) is a young Punjabi woman deeply connected to her late mother’s culinary legacy. Raised by her doting uncles (Gulshan Grover, Sanjay Mishra) after losing her mother as an infant, she gets an opportunity to run an Indian restaurant in London, rechristened in her mother’s name. As she steps into this new world, she encounters obstacles: family conflicts, sabotage, revelations about her lineage (yes, one of those) and a time constraint to prove herself. Add in romance (Prit Kamani plays the admirer), culture shock, and the clash of tradition vs modernity. It’s all fairly familiar territory—but sometimes, familiarity is comforting.
What Works: The Bright Spots
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Strong Debut Performance
Divita Juneja holds the film together much more than the screenplay might deserve. Her optimism and energy become the emotional engine of Heer Express. She makes Heer likeable, believable, and someone you root for. Critics and audiences both agree that she shows promise. -
Veteran Cast Adds Gravitas
Ashutosh Rana, Sanjay Mishra, Gulshan Grover—names you trust to bring depth. Rana, in particular, is highlighted for doing the heavy emotional lifting where the story demands it. Even if his character enters the narrative with some clichés, Rana manages to add sincerity. Grover turning away from his usual “villainous” identity into a more grounded, emotionally supportive role is refreshing. -
Cultural Contrasts & Visuals
The shift from Punjab to London could have been mechanical; instead, the film does a decent job of showing the contrast—new city, new customs, nostalgia, identity. Cinematography (Sameer Arya) captures London’s ambience well. The setting feels lush when it needs to, intimate when personal stakes demand it. -
Clean Family Entertainment in an Overloaded Market
In an era where many films lean into spectacle, darker themes, or edgy content, Heer Express knowingly positions itself in the “feel-good for all ages” category. There’s no vulgarity, no shocking violence—just a soothing slice-of-life story. For many, that in itself is a relief.
Where It Falters: The Rough Edges
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Predictability & Clichés Overload
If you’ve seen family dramas that involve a culinary dream, heritage, lost parent revelations, meddling relatives, and a ‘save-the-restaurant’ subplot—you’ve seen parts of Heer Express. It doesn’t reinvent; it leans heavily on tropes. Many critics argue that the screenplay is so obvious in its turns that even the emotional punch is anticipated. -
Uneven Pacing
Some reviews point out that the first half drags, with scenes feeling drawn out in dialogue and emotional setup. Then the second half tries to pick up momentum—especially once the stakes are raised—but doesn’t entirely succeed in delivering tension or real surprise. The climax, in particular, veers into heightened melodrama that strains credulity. -
Underutilised Supporting Cast
With so many familiar faces—Meghna Malik, Gulshan Grover, Sanjay Mishra—you’d expect dynamic interplay. However, some feel more like window dressing than fully formed characters. Their potential is visible, but in many instances, they’re confined by the constraints of the screenplay—a series of plot devices rather than arcs. -
Emotional Moments That Don’t Always Land
Moments meant to tug at heartstrings sometimes feel formulaic. A key revelation about Heer’s parentage, a family rift, these are meant to stir deep reactions—but because their buildup is predictable and sometimes underwritten, the impact is blunted. Divita Juneja does try, but there are limits to what acting alone can salvage.
Trending Responses & Latest Comments
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Audiences seem split: many BookMyShow reviews praise the film as a “feel-good ride,” especially for families, elders, and those who prefer lighter entertainment.
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On social media, some users say Heer Express is “safe” and “predictable,” while others say “just what I needed”—something sweet, uncomplicated, and uplifting amid heavier fare.
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Critics, however, are more demanding. Some note that in a market saturated with stronger scripts and more daring stories, Heer Express may not stay in memory for long. But there’s consensus that Divita Juneja’s debut is a highlight.
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Also noteworthy: the casting shift for Gulshan Grover—his role here is being championed in the press as a significant departure from his usual ‘Bad Man’ image. That’s getting attention.
Overall Take: Is Heer Express Worth Your Time?
If you approach with a mind for a foodie-drama with romance, family conflicts, and emotional returns, Heer Express delivers mostly. It’s not going to shock you or innovate, but it gives you warmth. For those who are exhausted from non-stop action, horror, or plot turns designed to surprise, this can be a breath of fresh air.
But if you’re someone who craves originality, strong twists, or emotional arcs that deviate from the familiar, this might feel a bit like reheated food—comforting, yes; memorable, perhaps not.
Final Word
Heer Express is what its name says it is: an express train of warmth, tradition, and family love. It doesn’t stop at radical turns, it doesn’t derail into dark psychological ground—and maybe that’s the whole point. Not all films have to reinvent the wheel. Some simply need to remind us of what family is, what legacy tastes like, and why sometimes comfort is sufficient.
If you’re feeling like something that’s not challenging, but heartwarming, and you’re okay with seeing some clichés if it comes with honesty, then Heer Express could be the movie meal you’re looking for. But if you require spice, tension, or creativity—this one may leave you hungry.
