Tarap
Cast: Sheeba, Babrak Shah, Saud, Resham, Nadeem
Director: Sangeeta
This is a big-budget film (by local standards at least) shot in beautiful locations in both Dubai and Pakistan, according to its producer, Yaseen Malik.
Sangeeta has an impressive track record with Mutthi Bhar Chawal, Society Girl and Mohabbat Aur Mehngai that were considered the highlights of the ’70s era. Later, violating all codes of conduct and ethics, she resorted to formula films with masala, sex and gore. The amazing fact was that being a cultured actress and then a director who knew better, Sangeeta didn’t stick to social/romantic issues, thereby leading to her downfall.
With Tarap, she seems determined not to repeat past mistakes. “It is a family-oriented film with a strong social message. If it fails, I will be forced to reconsider making Punjabi action movies once again,” she said.
Nadeem plays the role of a father-in-law while Babrak Shah, who has secured a place for himself on the big screen after Ajab Gul’s Kyun Tum Se Itna Pyar Hai, is paired with Sheeba, a newcomer, proving that our film-makers strongly believe that the solution to the present crisis lies in introducing new talent.
The presence of Resham will certainly add some masala for the front benchers for the actress has lately developed a fondness for playing ***y roles. Let’s see what accolades the film bags for its producer and director.
Aik Gunahoon Ka Shehr
Cast: Ahad Butt, Sana, Saima Khan
Director: Saeed Ali Khan
When the team of Aik Gunahoon Ka Shehr approached the Pakistan Film Censor Board for a clearance certificate, objection was raised over the phrase Gunahoon Ka Shehr. Later the name was modified to Aik Gunahoon Ka Shehr. What exactly they aimed to achieve by this is still a mystery.
Secondly, the members of the respected censor board charged that the film has more than a healthy dose of steamy scenes and dialogues. Consequently, the film appeared before a full board who chopped off several scenes and dialogues which they considered ‘unnecessary’ and ‘irrelevant’, leaving no option but for the poor producer to reshoot them. Understandably annoyed, producer Saeed Iqbal presented his stand before the censor board members, explaining that the story of the film depicts the true picture of youth today who indulge in sex and crime.
“The objection was unfair because already a number of Pakistani, Indian and English movies with sexual content are being exhibited at cinemas and cable networks throughout the country,” he said. He further confessed that it is not a family film. “Who likes to watch a family film in our dingy cinema houses? This is an era of love, romance, sex and action all packaged as one,” he explained.
The story of Aik Gunahoon Ka Shehr revolves round a young man (Ahad Butt) fascinated by city life and the thrills it has to offer. Once there, unemployment eventually leads him to join a gang of blackmailers involved in sex crimes, in turn leading to his ruin. The best part of the film is its music composed by Humaira Arshad and Awais Malik. Here’s hoping that the musicians signal healthy changes in film music too.
One Two Ka One (Urdu)
Cast: Reema, Saima, Moammar Rana, Aman ullah
Director: Ronaq Ali
They say laughter is the best medicine and in the past, comedy was an inevitable part of almost every Pakistani film. Lollywood has produced some marvellous comedians in the past such as Munawwar Zarif, Lehri, Rangeela, Nanna, Zulfi, etc, and their comic takes have boosted the box-office appeal of films such as Rangeela Aur Munawwar Zarif, Hansde Aao Hansde Jao, etc. The sole aim in doing so was to provide viewers some respite from the drudgery of their problems and anxieties. When social/romantic films ceased to be produced, refined comedy began to vanish and eventually died an obscure death.
However, in One Two Ka One, there is a plethora of comic scenes that make one laugh along with enjoying a good story line. According to its producer, Syed Aamir Raza, viewers will enjoy the witty one-liners of all the major characters. At a time when action films have failed to make any headway, it is necessary to bring something new to refresh people’s minds. Shaan was initially given the title role but later it was given to Moammar Rana. “Shaan caused us some amount of concern with his busy schedule so we replaced him with Moammar,” said Raza. “Anybody who watches One Two Ka One will bring his family too.”
A musician by profession, Ronaq landed the assignment after his previous successful venture, Nahin Abhi Nahin. The film has one song by Naseebo Lal and two by Saira Naseem and Saima Jahan each.
Zameen Ke Khuda
Cast: Shaan, Moammar Rana, Saima, Babrak Shah
Director: Masood Butt
According to the writer of this film, the supreme authority of man’s action is God. Unfortunately, man forgot His decree and power and assumed that he can harvest the desired result by resorting to trickery. Bureaucrats, jagirdars/waderas and politicians are brought into particular focus here and how they forget their assigned roles and become super-men (zameen ke khuda) and usurpers of human rights.
Shaan plays a police officer along with Babrak Shah while Saima enacts a die-hard journalist. The film is double version, picturised both in Urdu and Punjabi amid fears that the beauty of the lyrics may be compromised when the songs are rendered by Naseebo Lal for its Punjabi version.
Zameen Ke Khuda is shot locally in the studios while its producer, Sheikh Akram, deserve kudos for refraining from the likes of Gujjar-Jatt type films. Moreover, some 20 films are to his credit and the ratio of their success is said to be a whopping 60 per cent. One can only hope that Zameen Ke Khuda would be an entirely different fare from co-releases Pappu Gujjar and Piyo Badmashan Da this festive season.
