Syed Noor has done it again

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MR NICE

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Syed Noor has done it again. His Majajan became a nationwide success and helped local industry get rid of the Gujjar and badmash flicks that had been polluting the screen for some time. Undoubtedly the best film director in Pakistan, he believes that he enjoys a prolonged and successful inning because he has always been fond of experiments.

“After my maiden venture, Qasam, in 1994, I wanted to make a trendsetter Urdu film in an era when Punjabi films were at their peak. By using new artistes, I managed to churn out successes like Jeeva (Resham and Babar Ali’s debut) and Sargam (Zeba Bakhtiar and Adnan Sami’s debut) in an era where Sultan Rahi’s presence guaranteed box-office success. I am proud of my contribution, as the Urdu cinema benefited from these successful ventures.”

But the man behind countless hits isn’t happy with the kind of work being produced these days. “After a short revival, Urdu movies began to bomb at the box office as most Punjabi directors couldn’t handle the transformation. It was then, at the brink of the collapse of Punjabi cinema, that I decided to team up Moammar Rana and Saima for Choorian, which became a hit because of its music, story and acting. It led to the revival of Punjabi cinema, but the effort was wasted by directors who were unable to bag onto this success and made meaningless films.”

So why did he wait so long for Majajan? “I couldn’t digest that my good work was going down the drain, so I waited for the right time. Since Punjabi cinema was being polluted with vulgarity, illogical story lines and nudity, I announced a soft musical Punjabi film — Majajan — with 12 songs. The critics, as always, labelled it as a flop even before it was shot, since they debated that people can’t tolerate even four songs; how could they bear as many as 12. I was adamant and knew that this was exactly what people wanted to see and went ahead with it. Majajan broke many records and has yet again led to a revival of local cinema.”

Both Choorian and Majajan gave a tough time to their competitors from abroad. “When Choorian was released, it did more business in Pakistan than Titanic while Majajan wiped out its competition — Indian movies Taj Mahal and Mughal-i-Azam.” Speaking of Bollywood, is screening their movies in our cinemas beneficial to local industry? “I am totally against screening Indian films in our cinema and the trend of Pakistani actors going to India as a goodwill gesture. They end up working in B-class films, taking roles they would never go for in Pakistan. There is a line of actors and actresses in India waiting for a chance in their own industry, so why would they use our performers who haven’t done anything credible in their own country? Only Moammar was truly a star since he had delivered landmark films in Pakistan. He deserved a longer, better role in India, which unfortunately he didn’t get and lost his place as the leading hero, even in Lollywood.

“For Meera and Sana, such a move was more of a shortcut to fame, which failed, resulting in an insult both to Lollywood and Pakistan. The kind of films Meera did there, what good have they achieved for her? No one in India watched those movies so how can they expect people in Pakistan to watch them?”

In the past 12 years, Syed Noor has headed the elite list of revolutionary directors in Pakistan, followed by Shaan and Javed Sheikh. “When I made an entry as a film director, my mentors, S. Sulaiman and Javed Fazil sahib were moving to TV; hence I had to work really hard to replace them. I entered the film industry in 1971 and it took me more than 20 years to realize that I was fit to become a director.

‘I don’t see a change in the local film industry even after the success of Majajan because one film cannot make a difference. By making it, I have played my part and it is now up to others to bank on its success and make meaningful films that would make us proud of our film industry,’ says Syed Noor



“It is time for us to impart skills and knowledge to newcomers who are sadly not coming along. The directors who migrated from TV couldn’t do well because film is a different medium and they should get to know it better. I am also quite hopeful that Javed Sheikh and Shaan would continue and deliver quality films. I am really fond of these two actors who have successfully ventured into films. But I haven’t been much impressed with their work so far and I expect more from both of them with Javed showing maturity in Yeh Dil Aapka Hua. As for Shaan, he takes direction half-heartedly and should get serious to become a great director.”

So will he turn to TV after the failure of Zakham, his maiden mini-TV serial based on revenge, featuring Izhar Qazi and Saleem Sheikh? “I am planning to make a comeback on TV both as a scriptwriter and a director, with not one but two plays. But the difference between my plays and others being shown these days is that it would feature local cast, would not be of 100 episodes and above all, would tackle meaningful subjects.”

Music always has played an integral part in Noor’s ventures. From Sargam where he introduced Adnan Sami Khan to M. Arshad’s Jeeva and Hawaein, Amjad Bobby’s Ghoonghat, Sangam, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman and Deewane Tere Pyar Ke and Zulfiqar Ali’s Choorian, all his films have had thebest of songs and singers. “Going to India for playback singing at a time when they are asking our pop artistes to perform in their films is a very inappropriate step by our producers and directors. It shows lack of confidence on the part of both the industries. India may have good playback singers but that doesn’t mean that we don’t. I used Adnan Sami, Arshad Mehmood, Waris Baig, Anwar Rafi, Shazia Manzoor and Ameer Ali because I had confidence in their abilities and that is why they were successful. We also don’t value our assets and that is why artistes like Adnan Sami, whom I introduced to films in Pakistan, move to India for greener pastures.”

Some of Noor’s meaningful films have suffered loss at the box-office but he doesn’t let such hindrances stop him from taking up subjects that no one talks about. “I have had my share of flops as no director in the world has always been successful. Although many of my films from which I expected a lot were not successful at the box office, they don’t make me regret the steps. Hum Aik Hain, based on the issue of sectarianism, couldn’t do well but I am content with that effort, since it brought to the forefront a problem that was never discussed before.”

Syed Noor is also planning to direct Heer Ranjha. “The film would have Majajan heroine Saima and either Shaan or Moammar playing the romantic lead and would bring to screen the romantic folk tale in a different manner. I am also planning Urdu films Jhoomar and Bhai which I am sure will play an integral part in the revival of our cinema.”

But his prized venture would be an international film Izzat Ki Qeemat in Urdu with English subtitles, which he plans to present at the Cannes Film Festival next year. The Price of Honour, as it would be titled, will be a production of Paragon Entertainment, which also produced Majajan. “The film, which would be Lollywood’s first attempt at parallel cinema, will deal with the subjects of honour killings in Pakistan and would focus on the Hudood Ordinance. It would be for adults only and would be an experiment since it would have no songs and the run time would be 110 minutes. Producer Afzal M. Khan and I have penned the script together and we plan to make it big with an entirely new cast.”

So where does Syed Noor see the film industry after the success of Majajan? “I don’t see a change in the local film industry even after the success of Majajan because one film cannot make a difference. By making Majajan, I have played my part and it is n
Posted 04 Jul 2006

MR NICE says
I always have regarded Syed Noor as a talented director and until 1999 he did make a number of quality films. Since then majority of his films at best can be strictly be termed as 'average'.

He has two problems firstly him casting Saima in every film and his desire to make quick money. In the past he has been directing more one film at a given time. Sometimes he has directed up 3 to 4 films at one time.
Just imagine the quality of these films.

His latest film Majajan without doubt is a great film and the critics and the public have loved it. Even people like Senetor Javed Iqbal, Mahreen Jabber and even Chief Minister Pervez Elahi have praised the film.

His next two films are 'Jhoomer' and 'Heer Ranjha'. Saima is without doubt in both films. Lets see where does Syed Noor goes from here.
Posted 04 Jul 2006

cant these poeple make urdu movies
Posted 04 Jul 2006

paki lion says
Well syed noor still didn't try to get rid off gujjar/badmaash type film look at shaan in majajan where he still act like he does in gujjar/badmaash movies.. and still selecting that fat lady saima..so he didn't brought any change in the movies

anyway i appreciate his next step to make a movie based on honour killings...
Posted 04 Jul 2006

Well Syed Noor had been alwayz one of my favourites...
His stryle of movie-making is not less then any bollywood director....
The points mentioned by MR NICE r truly correct!
Well if u ppl remember once Syed Noor made a suspense/thriller true story "Billi":
Well the movie was fantastic!I hope Syed Noor will make another suspense/thriller with using the latest technology!
Well do u guyz think tht Izat Ki Kimat will tht much good enough to be presented at Cannes Film Festival?
If it happens Syed Noor will be a pride for Pakistan
Posted 04 Jul 2006

i simply dont like him he made choriyan and now majajan both r hits but still i wud rate him below few other directors like javed sheikh, reema khan, and rauf khalid syed noor is making same type od movies same stories based on village culture same loud drama same steroe type acting same loud pathetic music for me he is the worst director around cuz he is the one who cud bring change in the industry but he dont want to.
Posted 05 Jul 2006

chooriyan was good movie,,,jeeva also
Posted 05 Jul 2006

jagira says
man, these movies are so redundant in these times and maybe the story line is appealing ..it still looks like a typical lolly punjabi movie.
Posted 05 Jul 2006

yoyo says
well he has made some bad movies but so has everyone, in lollywood he is the only good director we have.
Posted 05 Jul 2006

He's only made two decent films, Jeeva and Sargam. And maybe Deewane Tere Oyar Ke. Couldn't understand much of Choorian, and I don't like Saima one bit, so there goes Majajan...
Posted 06 Jul 2006

yoyo said:

well he has made some bad movies but so has everyone, in lollywood he is the only good director we have.



Posted 06 Jul 2006

paki lion says
charizmatic said:

i simply dont like him he made choriyan and now majajan both r hits but still i wud rate him below few other directors like javed sheikh, reema khan, and rauf khalid syed noor is making same type od movies same stories based on village culture same loud drama same steroe type acting same loud pathetic music for me he is the worst director around cuz he is the one who cud bring change in the industry but he dont want to.



EXACTLY!
Posted 06 Jul 2006

thankz buddy.
Posted 06 Jul 2006

jagira says
JS has some class .....
Posted 06 Jul 2006

JS has some class reema was gr8 with his debut ajab gull was gr88 even imran malik wasn't that bad either.
Posted 07 Jul 2006

yoyo says
KAKN will be JS real test, he had some bad attempts at direction before YDAKH and imran malik was just pahetic.
Posted 07 Jul 2006

imran malik was good with direction but yea his script wasn't that convincing and yea he acts well but he cant be a hero for sure.
Posted 08 Jul 2006

yoyo says
well put aside that syed noor has made some badmash flicks or always takes aunty saima, but when syed noor is in form hes in total form. if there was someone else that succesful in lollywood he/she would have just moved to TV, but syed noor stayed in the film industry that what i like about him hes patriotic and passionate and can give a blockbuster movie when he likes, but i just hope in near future in makes films with other ladies.
Posted 10 Jul 2006

I regard Sye Noor as the best Director!
Posted 10 Jul 2006

paki lion says
afridi_hasnat said:

I regard Sye Noor as the best Director!



I think shoaib mansoor will be the next big director..witness the way he made videocips like khamaj and anarkali...i was really impressived..
Posted 10 Jul 2006

afridi_hasnat said:

I regard Sye Noor as the best Director!



how?
Posted 10 Jul 2006

yoyo says
paki lion said:

afridi_hasnat said:

I regard Sye Noor as the best Director!



I think shoaib mansoor will be the next big director..witness the way he made videocips like khamaj and anarkali...i was really impressived..



ofcourse no one can match shoaib monsoor, but lets wait till he makes his first movie.
Posted 10 Jul 2006

yoyo said:

paki lion said:

afridi_hasnat said:

I regard Sye Noor as the best Director!



I think shoaib mansoor will be the next big director..witness the way he made videocips like khamaj and anarkali...i was really impressived..



ofcourse no one can match shoaib monsoor, but lets wait till he makes his first movie.


Correction. Khamaj was directed by Saqib Malik and NOT Mansoor.
Posted 11 Jul 2006

paki lion says
this_aint_meera said:

yoyo said:

paki lion said:

afridi_hasnat said:

I regard Sye Noor as the best Director!



I think shoaib mansoor will be the next big director..witness the way he made videocips like khamaj and anarkali...i was really impressived..



ofcourse no one can match shoaib monsoor, but lets wait till he makes his first movie.


oh sorry mate, then saqib malik will also be the next big director..
Correction. Khamaj was directed by Saqib Malik and NOT Mansoor.
Posted 11 Jul 2006

shahrukh khan said:

afridi_hasnat said:

I regard Sye Noor as the best Director!



how?


His gr8 style of making movies and espeacially his work for Lollywood@!
Posted 11 Jul 2006

his style
Posted 13 Jul 2006

valandrian says
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