Pak director’s film in India

Pak director's film in India

By Taran Adarsh 08th, 2004 - 0930 hrs IST


Very rarely do you come across a film that reflects the moods of the years gone by. KHAMOSH PANI ['Silent Waters'], directed by Sabiha Sumar, is one such film. The thought-provoking film transports you to Pakistan during 1979, with frequent flashes of 1947 injected in the narrative.

KHAMOSH PANI is an intelligent film, slightly similar to Amrita Pritam's award winning novel 'Pinjar' [the cinematic adaptation was directed by Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi]. At the same time, it would be unfair to compare it with 'Pinjar'.

While the cinematic adaptation of 'Pinjar' depicted riots, mayhem, human sufferings and hope during the partition, KHAMOSH PANI goes a step further. It looks at the advent of fundamentalism in Pakistan, besides looking at relationships post-1947.

An issue-based film, KHAMOSH PANI looks at real characters, the plot is well crafted and the treatment is intriguing. And what uplifts the film are the performances from every member of the cast [a majority of them are Pakistanis], notably Kirron Kher, who deserves every award and praise that she got at international festivals.

KHAMOSH PANI is the story of Ayesha [Kirron Kher], a seemingly well-adjusted middle-aged woman whose life centres around her son, Saleem [Aamir Malik], a dreamy 18-year-old. They live in Charkhi, in Punjab, Pakistan. Ayesha's husband is dead and she manages a living from his pension.

The story begins in 1979 in Pakistan under President General Zia-ul-Haq's martial law. Saleem becomes intensely involved with a group of Islamic fundamentalists. Ayesha is saddened to see her son change radically.

Events escalate when Sikh pilgrims from India pour into the village. Later, a pilgrim looks for his sister, Veero, who was abducted in 1947. This awakens heart-rending memories…

The good news is that KHAMOSH PANI, directed by a Pakistani, will be released in India in October 2004, courtesy Shringar Films, who have acquired its all-India rights. This move further cements the Indo-Pak relations that are currently at an all-time high.

This writer was amongst the hand-picked guest-list invited for the first screening of KHAMOSH PANI at the plush Fame Malad multiplex in Mumbai.