Heer Express (2025): Does Divita Juneja’s Debut Live Up to the Family Drama Promise?

Heer Express brings Divita Juneja to the big screen for the first time in a family-focused drama helmed by Umesh Shukla, who won a National Award for his earlier work. The movie features Prit Kamani playing the love interest, alongside experienced names like Ashutosh Rana, Gulshan Grover, Sanjay Mishra, and Meghna Malik. The film hit theaters on September 12, 2025, with a running time of 140 minutes.

This is a family drama mixed with comedy and romance. Shukla previously worked on OMG: Oh My God!, so there was curiosity about what he’d bring this time. The film deals with identity, family pressure, and what it means to follow your own path while respecting where you come from.

Story and Plot

The film follows Heer Wallia, who comes from a village in Punjab and wants to work as a chef. When her mother passes away, she decides to move to the United Kingdom to chase this dream. It’s not just about changing countries, it’s about finding herself beyond what everyone expects.

Once in London, she crosses paths with Rohan Ahuja, brought to life by Prit Kamani, who’s immediately drawn to her. Their connection grows through playful conversations and sweet moments. But things get complicated, especially because of her guardian’s husband, played by Ashutosh Rana, who becomes a major roadblock.

How the Actors Performed

Divita Juneja makes a solid first impression as Heer. She handles the emotional weight of the character well and manages to show both vulnerability and strength. Playing a girl from a small place with ambitious goals isn’t easy, but she pulls it off and matches the energy of more experienced co-stars.

Prit Kamani brings a likeable quality to Rohan, adding charm and lightness. The spark between the two feels genuine, even if the script doesn’t always give them much to work with beyond the obvious romance. His ability to handle funny moments makes his character more enjoyable.

The established actors really bring depth here. Ashutosh Rana creates a character with real presence who doesn’t feel like a simple villain. Sanjay Mishra, Gulshan Grover, and Meghna Malik add weight to the family dynamics with their solid work, making the relationships feel more authentic.

What I Really Enjoyed

What works best here is the sincerity behind it all. Shukla builds a comforting world that values family connections and determination. The way the film uses the India-UK setting to explore different cultures without being obvious about it adds something interesting.

I connected with the acting, especially from Divita and the experienced cast. They make you care about what happens to Heer. The scenes with family feel real, hitting emotional beats that don’t seem forced or calculated.

The approach to women making their own choices doesn’t feel preachy. It comes through naturally in how Heer’s story unfolds. The film balances respecting tradition with encouraging personal freedom. Also, the visual style nicely captures both the warmth of Punjab and the buzz of London.

Where It Falls Short

The main issue is you can see everything coming. The story sticks to a familiar pattern where you know what’ll happen next. This takes away from moments that should feel more powerful or surprising. The second part especially drags because conflicts repeat themselves.

The writing could be sharper. While the feelings are there, the way things play out feels too safe. The dialogue gets the job done but rarely stands out or creates moments you’ll remember. The conflict with Ashutosh’s character, though well-acted, follows expected patterns.

The songs don’t stick with you. In this kind of film, music usually helps strengthen the emotional pull, but nothing here really lands. The score works fine in the background but won’t stay in your head. Pacing problems in the later sections make the movie feel longer than it needs to be.

The love story stays on the surface. The relationship grows quickly, depending more on how well the actors work together than on meaningful development. Some side characters don’t get enough screen time despite talented people playing them.

What Critics and Audiences Said

Different platforms show varied reactions. On IMDb, viewers gave it 7.7, with people calling it a solid family watch. Many highlighted Divita’s first performance and how the supporting actors added layers to everything.

Free Press Journal described it as heartwarming but noted the predictability issue. Republic World praised it as family-friendly entertainment, singling out the lead performances. But other reviewers felt it relied too much on familiar ideas without adding fresh perspectives.

Viewer responses lean positive among those who enjoy traditional family stories. Several people mentioned it as one of the stronger family films from 2025. Critics looking for something different found it lacking in new ideas.

My Final Thoughts

Heer Express is a straightforward family drama that gives you what you expect, a sincere story about dreams, family ties, and who you are versus who people want you to be. It doesn’t try anything revolutionary but creates an emotional journey that connects with certain viewers.

Divita’s introduction shows promise, and the veteran performers add legitimacy. The film shines when focusing on relationships between people instead of trying to shock with unexpected turns. Still, the familiar story beats, unmemorable music, and pacing trouble keep it from standing out long-term.

If you want solid acting and a comforting, positive watch without needing something groundbreaking, this delivers on that level. It’s an easy watch that treats viewers with respect but won’t necessarily stay with you.

Rating: 3 out of 5