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Is Bachaana a rehash of Bajrangi Bhaijaan? The cast and crew say no

Is Bachaana a rehash of Bajrangi Bhaijaan? The cast and crew say no

Mohib Mirza stresses that Bachaana was in the works well before Bajrangi, so any resemblance is an uncanny coincidence
06 Jan, 2016

The release of the trailer of Bachaana, Nasir Khan's romantic thriller starring Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza, brings a new flavour to the film offerings of 2016.

There's romance, comedy and a dash of action in the film that follows an Indian woman, Aalia (Sanam), and a Pakistani taxi driver, Vicky (Mohib), as their paths cross in Mauritius. They eventually fall in love, we know – but not before shots are fired, punches are thrown and several high-speed chases through various picturesque landscapes ensue. Message received: Bachaana is not just any flick that shows a Pakistani falling for an Indian.

However, the most memorable part of the trailer was the ending dialogue: "Larki Pakistani ho ya Indian, larki larki hoti hai (A girl is a girl whether she is Indian or Pakistani)".

Many couldn't help but draw comparisons with its similarity with the theme of Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

A Pakistani, Indian and an island

The director Nasir Khan elaborated on the film's Pakistan-India angle: "The girl is an Indian Muslim and just like it happens [in real life] as well, the assumption is that when an Indian and Pakistani meet, there are some complications, some preconceived notions — then there is the process of clearing them out and the idea of falling in love. It's a light and entertaining take on this."

The director later on joked that the film was shot in Mauritius not only because of its scenic beauty, but to bind the actors to an island so the project could be finished quickly.

The trailer also hints at the shared culture of the Pak-India region, as Aalia and Vicky mention Afridi and Dhoni, but the film is no Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

Mohib stressed that the film was in the works much before Bajrangi, so the resemblance is an uncanny coincidence. Nasir Khan went on to quip, "Hum larki bari karke wapis karahe hain."

While Mohib Mirza stepped into cinema some years ago with Inshallah (2009), the film will mark the film debut of both Sanam Saeed and Adeel Hashmi.

No longer the funny guy? Adeel Hashmi has a new look

We know Sanam's role is that of a chirpy woman, but it's too early to assume that Adeel will also be tickling our funny bone. Adeel said he was flabbergasted when he read the script.

Speaking about his return to the entertainment industry after being away for some time, Adeel sure is glad to be back:

"Like most of us, I too started with television. I stayed in TV for many years [because] the dynamics of those times [prevented] many actors from stepping into cinema. But in the last three to five years, I have seen a revolutionary shift in cinema and the most positive aspect is the change in our audience. Despite the availability of Indian and Hollywood films, they're opting to go for Pakistani films. This encouraged me to do something too," he shares.

"It was an amazing experience, I had fun but I was scared as well and now I am even more frightened because we're waiting for the verdict. That said, I am sure that the audience will support us just like it has catapulted other films to newer heights," he adds.

But does Adeel ever plan to step into the shoes of a director?

"I think in a year or two, I shall embark on the journey of committing this mistake as well," he laughs.

Films over dramas? Not for Sanam Saeed

While Adeel dips his toes into the film pool, Sanam has signed on to several. Does this mean we won't be seeing her on TV?

"It's good to see films highlighting Pakistan on the map again although dramas did it much earlier. I can't leave TV and I will continue working on projects in television," she said.

She added that most women watched dramas to gain inspiration from the roles written for women and that she wanted to remain a part of that. She explained that the break was much needed because she had done several repetitive roles on TV and might be running the risk of being known as the women "who wears loose clothes, has her braid on the side and wears no makeup.''

Comments

Impressed Audience Jan 06, 2016 06:19pm
The choice of female protagonist is quite right. Sanam has typical features of a beautiful Uttar Pradesh girl. Hasn't she? Who knows if her parents' lineage is from the same place!
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SA Chandio Jan 06, 2016 06:27pm
Wow wow , see I knew there is way more talent in Pakistan than merely making movies like Shera di ma,jagga and gujjar, love you Karawood,we will definitely watch this movie again with family and friends in NY and New Jersey .
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SA Chandio Jan 06, 2016 06:30pm
I love Mohib sir and Sanam ji's jorri.
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Faiz Khilji Jan 06, 2016 09:14pm
Larki larki hoti hai.. superb.
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srty Jan 06, 2016 11:49pm
Absolutely loved loved loved the trailer and Mohib and Sanam will rock it and inshallah it will be a superhit!!! I love them both so much and wish them all the best!! Will watch it in cinema. Though that larki dialogue was like wtf lol but it was probably supposed to be like that, overall mega impressed!!! Also has Adeel written or directed it too? He looks awesome and different in the trailer!
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kuttathi Jan 07, 2016 01:23am
The coconut trees,clean beaches and the cottages look as though they are in Kerala.Anyway Mauritius has quite a lot of Indians.
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madeeha mahmood Jan 07, 2016 02:17am
Definitely a must watch in cinema. Hope it is released in USA and Canada as well.
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Jaggy Jan 07, 2016 04:17am
Liked the trailer. Hope it will be shown in India.
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Jawaid Islam Jan 07, 2016 11:04am
Mohib is dashing and debonair and Sanam, pretty and beautiful. Both look superb in this and the trailor is promising. Will definitely watch it, no matter hat the reviews might say.
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Fareeha Jan 07, 2016 11:52pm
Looks intriguing . Hope it is released in uk too. Best of luck!
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Sheena Jan 08, 2016 03:36pm
The Dialogue "Larki Larki Hoti hay" is taken from the most famous dialogue of Mr Raeesani that is on the same time considered as most weird, funny and political one, "Degree Degree Hoti hay Asli ho ya Jaali"
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