Paving the way for a revival?
By Fariha Rashed
Three new films released recently have stimulated audiences throughout Pakistan, giving them optimism with regard to going movie watching. Mohabbataan Sachiyaan, Jhoomar and the Bollywood film starring Indian and Pakistani actors, The Godfather. These creations have proved to Pakistanis, and to the world at large, that there is hope yet for Pakistan’s film industry and acting talent.
Of all three, the most recently released movie is Mohabbataan Sachiyaan — the name itself appealing to our love-obsessed nation. Produced and directed by Shahzad Rafique (of Salakhain fame), Mohabbataan Sachiyaan is a Punjabi flick with a difference. Considered to play a major part in the revival of Pakistani cinema, it was released on Eid-ul-Fitr throughout Pakistan and presented in various cinemas throughout the country, including the impressive new Defence Cinema in Lahore. So far, the film has done quite well.
The cast of the movie includes Veena Malik and Babrak Shah, both of whom acted to their best ability. Two new actors, Adnan Khan and Maria Khan, have been introduced to the film industry through this movie and one feels that although they put in their best effort, they still have a long way to go. The music has been composed in India and features great talents such as Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chohan.
Relating to a story that has been told and retold a thousand and one times over, it centers round the long-engaged couple of Salma (Veena Malik) and Sameer (Babrak Shah).
Salma is the quintessential good girl living in the village while Sameer lives in the city, and as all stereotypes go, is spoilt and irresponsible. They both grow up ignorant of the engagement and hormones run high in the village side with Salma falling for another resident from the village, Nomi (played by Adnan Khan).
Eventually, Sameer’s mother drops the bomb on him and tells him he must marry the girl they picked out for him when he was a toddler. He is sent packing to the village accompanied by mother dearest but he himself has no intention of honoring the engagement by a martial commitment. As all South Asian movies go, this one also has its share of dance numbers and fight sequences.
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Mohabbataan Sachiyaan is a Punjabi flick with a difference. Considered to play a major part in the revival of Pakistani cinema, so far the film has done quite well
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Mohabbataan Sachiyaan is also a visual delight as it has been shot in the northern areas of Pakistan, including Kalam, Swat and Azad Kashmir. The breathtaking landscapes enhance the story of the film in many ways. Since the tale revolves around love, the colours and shot sequences used by the director reflect the emotion quite perfectly. For once, the dance sequences are surprisingly well choreographed — one actually wants to sit through the whole routine — with creative camera angles, at times seeming a little forced and going slightly overboard, but much better than what we are used to seeing. The crane angles in particular have been well executed and help to a give a new visual perspective.
In essence, Mohabbataan Sachiyaan is a youth-orientated love story. Naghma and Rashid Mehmood also star in the movie, but their performance is at best average. The film’s music by Wajahat Attre is one of its strongest points.
Technically the film is strong. It has been edited by Syed Noor’s computerised System Avid and is the first Pakistani film to be processed on DIT (Digital Intermediate Technology) which is related to the film’s picture and sound quality. The post-production work on Mohabbataan Sachiyaan was completed in Mumbai’s high-tech studio Avital at a cost of Rs2 million. The film’s sound mixing has been done at Yash Raj Studios, Mumbai and the prints have been prepared in Adlabs.For a Punjabi Pakistani movie the film is definitely a part of the revival of cinema in the country. It has been entered to be a part if the Asian Film Festival in New Delhi. After 40 years, this will be the first Pakistani film to be shown officially in India and has also started showing in the UAE. Now one would just like to see a revival of storylines, moving away from the typical Bollywood-inspired love scripts to tackling topics much more meaningful.
