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Patriotism isn't enough to save Yalghaar from its weak plot

Patriotism isn't enough to save Yalghaar from its weak plot

It’s not a joke when I assert that most characters have been written thinner than a plastic card
Updated 03 Jul, 2017

It’s customary to provide a synopsis of a film one intends to dissect. I am saddened to report that there is no semblance of a story here, which puts me in a conundrum of deciding whether a spoiler alert even needs to be issued.

But here goes: inspired by the successful military operation in Swat valley, Yalghaar follows the endeavors of the Special Services Group (SSG) of the armed forces - Col Asad (Shaan), Col Imran (Adnan Siddiqui), Capt Bilal (Bilal Ashraf), Capt Umair (Umair Jaswal) and Col Jogezai (Ayub Khoso) who is in terrorist captivity - fighting a terrorist organisation led by the malevolent ‘Tor Khan’ (Humayun Saeed) in Pakistan’s northern reaches.

The film suffers tremendously from the lack of a coherent storyline. Writer and producer Hassan Waqas Rana’s razor-sharp focus on the underlying theme and message of the film means that there is no concern on constructing a comprehensible plot for his movie. A film that is clear in its objective to pay homage to the valour and sacrifice of a Pakistani soldier, pays no regard to matters like sensible camera angles, coherent audio, action choreograph, semi-decent character arcs, or even a basic plot.

This ‘objective’ is not an assumption on my part. Yalghaar opens with a verbal salute to the bravery of our ever-watchful guardians. The film does not even wait for its first scene; it jumps to inform you in bold text at the very beginning that it is the vigilance of the dauntless Pakistani army that affords you the privilege to watch this film in peace. If you’re patriotic, you better applaud.

The overarching theme, as I perceived, is that the Pakistan army is a juggernaut - not invincible.
The overarching theme, as I perceived, is that the Pakistan army is a juggernaut - not invincible.

In fact, this objective is no more of an assumption on a moviegoer’s part, than a hunch that this film has been sponsored by Bank Al-Falah. Such a thing wouldn’t normally merit a mention in a film review, but this gaudy and awkwardly extensive product placement is so distracting, it is guaranteed to impact your movie experience. The Al-Falah credit card - flashed multiple times in scenes written exclusively to justify its presence - has more personality than most characters in the movie. It’s jarring how the ever-dependable credit card has not been allowed to give TV interviews next to Ayesha Omar.

The cast’s performance is generally poor. What little skill comes on display is obliterated by kitschy dialogue and sloppy voice-overs.

It’s not a joke when I assert that most characters have been written thinner than a plastic card. Baran, Gohar Rasheed’s character, is the only one who has been bestowed any complexity among the antagonists. The villain camp has no discernible aim and, or purpose - except that shooting them is essential to moving the story forward.

Humayun Saeed’s character, Tor Jan, isn’t just mysterious, it’s baffling. Saeed’s entire role in this production is to smile sardonically and slowly utter bad proverbs. What does Tor Jan even want? Who does he work for? Nobody knows. The closest he ever gets to explaining his aspiration is when he tells a short childhood story about sharpening a stick into a spear and using it to rob all other kids of their sticks. What did he do with all those sticks? Nobody knows, but one assumes he carved out more spears for the heck of it.

Tor Jan is quite simply the designated bad guy; the sooner he dies, the sooner you get to leave the movie theater.

The cast’s performance is generally poor.
The cast’s performance is generally poor.

Even more elusive is Ayesha Omar’s purpose on the set. She plays a bride who is kidnapped from her wedding ceremony by Tor Jan and his terrorists. Her role, if any, is to grieve constantly and have Tor Jan whisper philosophical sayings into her ear. Yalghaar is among the most expensive Pakistani films ever made and the cost of waterproof makeup on Ayesha Omar’s ashen face coupled with an endless cascade of fake tears, have surely contributed their share.

Adnan Siddiqui’s performance is worth more than an honorable mention and Sana Bucha absolutely steals every scene that she appears in.

The film’s attempt at humanising its military characters, is by introducing romantic subplots – each more clichéd than the other. Two of the four female love interests in the movie are cartoonishly simple characters. Uzma Khan’s solid straight-faced acting delivers the only joke that genuinely made me chuckle before the writer decided to have her dignity murdered in a bewildering harassment/proposal scene.

The film suffers tremendously from the lack of a coherent storyline.
The film suffers tremendously from the lack of a coherent storyline.

The only thing admirable about the script is that the writer clearly did his research on military operations and professional jargon; rendering a more natural feel to its otherwise unexciting combat sequences.The absence of a real plot and the generic nature of the designated bad guys means that there aren’t enough political or historical claims being made that may be fact-checked. The overarching theme, as I perceived, is that the Pakistan army is a juggernaut - not invincible, but with ample endurance for hardship. The film makes a not-so-subtle point that the high defense expenditure is justified to help fight our internal ‘darinday’ (animals), who are being sponsored by Afghan agents.

The cast’s performance is generally poor. What little skill comes on display, is obliterated by kitschy dialogue and sloppy voice-overs in which the speech is out of sync with the actors’ lip movements.

Yalghaar is testament to the fact that our film industry needs more than just patriotism; it needs a will to explore new artistic territory.

Adnan Siddiqui’s performance, however, is worth more than an honorable mention, and Sana Bucha absolutely steals every scene that she appears in. Ayub Khoso succeeds primarily because he’s blessed with a fascinating character role, but it would be unfair to dismiss the skill he brings to the production. Shaan’s acting is mediocre and nearly indiscernible from his role in Waar. Aleeze Nasir’s delicate performance suffers from the lack of depth of her one-dimensional character as Col Imran’s pregnant wife. Bilal Ashraf has large biceps.

Bilal Ashraf has large biceps.
Bilal Ashraf has large biceps.

The film is shoddily edited and replete with annoying jump cuts. Every time a battle scene comes dangerously close to keeping you engaged, you’ll find yourself jolted into a deluge of an emotional dream sequence in an operating theater. You’ll find yourself yanked out of an interesting conversation among commanding officers of the armed forces because that Al-Falah credit card hasn’t made an appearance in almost 13 minutes.

Whoever was responsible for lighting in this film ought to pay the highest penance. The movie has three major conflict scenes, all of which take place at night-time. It is tremendously difficult to immerse oneself in the situation and appreciate the tension when the entire scene feels like it’s being shot by the irritating camera-man from your cousin’s valima. The location is flooded with intense artificial light creating long shadows that even the brightest moonlight wouldn’t manage. The whole film builds up to an emotional scene at the battlefield with a close-up of Bilal Ashraf’s face looking horrifyingly over-lit.

Ultimately, my fear is that none of these offences even matter to the makers of this film.

Had someone led the filmmakers to believe that if they could simply hitch their cinematic work to a cobra helicopter their honourable subject alone would ensure a box-office hit? Had they been so eager to force the political message of the army’s unquestionable greatness onto the audience that they felt encumbered by art and craft? If so, why not just make a documentary about the sacrifices of our brave jawaans?

Yalghaar is as disappointing as it is expensive. One may argue that we should learn to savour any Pakistani film with production value as impressive as this, Yalghaar is testament to the fact that our film industry needs more than just patriotism; it needs a will to explore new artistic territory.

Comments

Faisal Jun 28, 2017 03:15pm
I watched the movie, and frankly Yalghaar is one of the finest movies ever made in the history of Pakistani Cinema, Go for it and you will enjoy it.
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JA-Australia Jun 28, 2017 03:18pm
Playback songs are the *sine qua non* of south Asian movies. Without them, movies are dry and you might as well watch Hollywood junk. Good songs will overshadow and compensate for all sins in a movie, from shoddy acting to overly melodramatic plot lines. Pakistani movie songs from the golden age (60s, 70s, 80s) captured lightning in a bottle and preserved it for the ages. We need to reclaim that magic.
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Naveed Haroon Jun 28, 2017 03:40pm
Aren't you all fed up with making movies and dramas on the same topic "terrorism and anti terrorism, dehshat gardi"?
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waleed fakhar Jun 28, 2017 04:04pm
low quality film.
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Zaffar Jun 28, 2017 04:14pm
Just watched it and its more disappointing than Waar.
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qudrat ullah Jun 28, 2017 04:26pm
@waleed fakhar actually the film is good but may be you are unable to understand it.
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Luna Jun 28, 2017 04:34pm
Well written review. I might still watch the film to support local cinema but will tone down my expectations. Thanks for the heads up!
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Huda Rashid Jun 28, 2017 04:55pm
Cound not agree more with the review. And I could not have put more eloquently than the writer. Sadly I enjoyed the review more than the movie. We cannot be expected to support local cinema in the name of patriotism and pseudo nationalism. Most of these old-school filmmakers (Syed Noor, Hassan Wqas Rana) are taking patriotism for granted. They are simply irrelevant in this modern age of film-making. Learn something from the Iranian cinema. Their country is under sanctions for past 30 years. They cannot release movies outside Iran. Their targeted audience is not even half of Pakistani movies (as our population is more than twice bigger and we release our movies in UAE, UK, USA as well). Yet their movies are so refreshing even with their small budgets.
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Silent Observer Jun 28, 2017 04:55pm
That's what happens if you use the Bollywood formula for making movies. Pakistan film industry needs to change it's focus on Iran and Turkish film making which are much more mature industries. Pakistan Drama's proof that films involving love, family and human nature strikes a chord with cinema goers instead of the boom boom you get at the moment.
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Faisal Jun 28, 2017 06:32pm
@Zaffar I found it better then bol.
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AG Jun 28, 2017 06:41pm
It is enough, believe me......you just need to have some
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Asif Kashmiri Jun 28, 2017 06:52pm
Probably one the best movies I have ever seen!
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Irfan up huq Jun 28, 2017 06:55pm
@JA-Australia I fully agree with you. Movies are esentially entertainment and not classroom.
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seema Jun 28, 2017 07:11pm
Very good analysis. Film makers are only relying on the patriotic sentiments of the public, these days.
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ady Jun 28, 2017 07:23pm
More over acting. Lame story. Bad direction. Money wasted.
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Total Filmi Jun 28, 2017 07:48pm
very well written article can't deny many of the writer's observation
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Vommie Jun 28, 2017 08:34pm
@Silent Observer Dangal from Bollywood became the highest grossing non Hollywood film in China. I understand your stereotype, but it is not true. Even the Pak theaters cannot run on Iranian and Turkish movies.
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Abadan Khan Jun 28, 2017 08:44pm
@Silent Observer We should follow China also as per your logic? What is common between us and Iran or Turkey?
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junaid Jun 28, 2017 09:04pm
Encourage the team, and appreciate/honor the Army for its sacrifices. There is no need for strong plot/theme to visualize successful operation against terrorists in Swat valley. Govt. left all on army to handle, no necta operational. So, dont look for action, its reality and its always bitter.
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Hashham Jun 28, 2017 09:05pm
The problem with our so called experts is that we are only good at criticising and have very small hearts in appreciating. We would watch very trash Bollywood and Hollywood movies based on the same theme as Yalghar but go out praising it like crazy. I don't know what is so wrong in this movie and so right in other Hollywood/ Bollywood movies????
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harry Jun 28, 2017 09:33pm
i saw the movie and frankly, it was difficult to sit through the entire film. The actors are just over the top overacting and to add to the misery the plot is very loose. The Songs are shot in good locations but it ends up showing that we are just content with making low-quality Bollywood movies. The quality of acting needs higher bar, otherwise, people will stop watching our movies.
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al Jun 28, 2017 09:43pm
be constructive and not a player hater
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Zain Jun 28, 2017 10:12pm
Are you trying to mislead people from watching the movie? This has to be one of the top movies made in Pakistan. I have taken numerous courses regarding Film studies and this is by far one of the best films to debut this year.
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A Rana Jun 28, 2017 10:33pm
Agree to writer. Additionally the major glitches I noticed 1. Punjabi songs played at pushtoon wedding. (mathay Tay chamkan wall) 2. Producer, writer, director and lead actor Dr Hassan Rana, wearing wrong name plate (of one Maj Riaz instead of Maj Gen Hassan during recci flying mission) 3. No background/family or connection of Armeena khan, CAPT Dr Uzma and Ayesha Omar shown. 4. Humayun saeed had weakest role ever with no clarity. 5. No bonding shown of the families /wives or even among units/soldiers. Only CO (Adnan Siddiqui) and his Adjutant CAPT Zarar shown in fee scenes. 6. No proper sound tracks except last one.
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z Jun 28, 2017 10:39pm
Tor Khan ( Black khan) thats what you want us on screen cultured Conal Shan from Lahore shame on on the financiers and creator ( Khakies )
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Roz Jun 28, 2017 11:00pm
It a action movie take it as it dont find lesson plot or massage loud sound and gun fire
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SAQIB Jun 28, 2017 11:08pm
film industry needs to move away from the Army sponsored storylines. Its ok having it as a secondary theme but not the overarching theme of a movie anymore. Maalik is one of the finest movies Pakistan has produced in last couple of decades and its a underated gem. I was thoroughly captivated throughout the movie and this is coming from someone who has seen the best of western and bollywood movies.
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ray khan Jun 28, 2017 11:37pm
This is expected a long back: "Yalghaar is testament to the fact that our film industry needs more than just patriotism; it needs a will to explore new artistic territory." Who will teach or tell ISPR? The look at everything from own point of view, and vision. My disappointment touched the peek, when baffled which track to follow. Everything was vague, probably the Director might know the story well. He failed to transfer his vision by a good narrative. Film making is an art and same rule applies: Learn to walk, then run. Can someone question ISPR? Why all that drama, guns, and tons of money, but no results. There are other many examples of good story telling. It seem in Pak only good lobbying, Shashka and connection work. I will repeat Gen Musharaf's line: Pakistani Film Industry Ka Khuda Hee Hafiz Hay.
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ali Jun 28, 2017 11:58pm
Bad bad movie
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Javid Mir Jun 29, 2017 12:06am
Just watched with my family. Great peace of work.
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Javid Mir Jun 29, 2017 12:06am
Enjoyed much.
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Ramesh Ahuja Jun 29, 2017 12:53am
Good
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Sofia Jun 29, 2017 01:06am
Lol, this was a hilarious review, 10 times more entertaining than the movie I presume.
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A shah Jun 29, 2017 01:10am
An embarrassment to Pakistan is all I can call this.
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A shah Jun 29, 2017 01:11am
This should go to the oscars as best film in history. I cried and laughed at the same time at how bad this film was.
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Farheen Jun 29, 2017 01:29am
@Huda Rashid Still Iranian movies are being playing in some overseas film festivals. My Indian friend told me about it.
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Asifbutt Jun 29, 2017 01:38am
Love the superman tattoo.
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ahmed Jun 29, 2017 02:12am
Now i will definitely go watch the movie. Thank you Dawn!!!
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Srehman Jun 29, 2017 02:47am
You can't keep making films on war and terrorism and try and sell it in the name of patriotism,so I am not even going to even bother ,people Like syed noor are the most backward thinking people who want to disallow competition in the name of patriotism and saying they don't represent our culture yet their own films don't represent any ,even I find shaan really hypocritical beacuse the kind of films he has find in the past which were so cheap and pathetic and were completely not representative of our culture
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Abid Ali Khan Jun 29, 2017 02:49am
I went to support Pakistan Army but i am disappointed with movie. No coherence at all
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Jawwad Jun 29, 2017 03:33am
If ISPR is to spend our tax money into such expensive films, please at least hire professionals to make it.
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ov Jun 29, 2017 04:03am
These types of movies like yalghaar and malik are just propaganda for pak army nothing else
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Ji Jun 29, 2017 04:05am
Wasted money in name of patriotism
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Akil Akhtar Jun 29, 2017 04:30am
We seem to have something against patriotism....
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Analyst Jun 29, 2017 05:09am
Faraz Talat; What is your expertise? Would you be kind enough to let us know just the titles of professionals who play their roles in making a normal film in Holly wood? I Bet you wont know a half of it. Most importantly, what is our grip on International Affairs and History of the world spanning at least 5 centuries? The unfortunate IGNORANT ''Key Board Clerks" like you just know how to get the best buck typing fast; but their Shallowness and Immaturity keeps visiting them through out their lives. I am supposed to be a movie lover. And you are recorded.
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waheed khan Jun 29, 2017 05:11am
Lahoris need to stop making movies, they are clueless.
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atif Jun 29, 2017 05:28am
These are propaganda movies.
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S.Kaushik Jun 29, 2017 07:36am
Try and release this movie in the Gulf countries and see how it compares with popular Bollywood films in the moolah.
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Jun 29, 2017 08:18am
it's important to support our films then critique. I haven't watched the movie yet, but believe to support our Cinema to its vulnerability,till their growth to the highest ranks...
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Pakistani Jun 29, 2017 08:52am
why the movie is being undermined yet again. I suggest, let the public/viewers rate it. These type of reviews create biase.
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shubs Jun 29, 2017 09:02am
@Silent Observer "That's what happens if you use the Bollywood formula for making movies. " If "formula" was all that was needed to make hit movies, then Pakistani film makers would make millions. Unfortunately, Pakistan has neither the industry base, the technology, almost a century of experience, nor the skilled technicians, cinematographers, editors, directors and team of experts and project management skills that go into making a slick movie in Bollywood. Churlish statements like this will only get you so far. Learn to value substance over style. In all respects of Pakistani society.
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riz Jun 29, 2017 09:23am
@Huda Rashid even learn from Swedish cinema,, what a brilliant movies they made,, both movies on this eid were entirely different genre but at the core it was a copy cat movies,, we need to out efforts on acting and story telling, these are our two hallmarks where we can exceed,, even Moor, Mahi Mir, zinda bhag, and that boxer movie are excellent to start with,, good review,,
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Slo-Mo Jun 29, 2017 09:29am
After CPEC, Yalghaar will be released in all the multiplexes of the world, except of India and the UK.
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Arif Jun 29, 2017 09:43am
It is unacceptable from Master Performer Hassan Waqas Rana, who has stolen the shows many times in his life performance.
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Rao Bilal Jun 29, 2017 10:42am
I watched the movie, it has many many loopholes. Punjabi music in wedding in remote pustoon area. Seriously? Do they not play their own cultural music on weddings? Groom and bride sitting side by side. At least do some research.
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Irfan up huq Jun 29, 2017 11:27am
Every one is selling religion and patriotism to the Pakistani public and making tons of money . What choices the Pakistani people have or what choices the movie makers have?
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Jew_muslim Jun 29, 2017 12:08pm
Good critical review, but best part is "Yalghaar is among the most expensive Pakistani films ever made and the cost of waterproof makeup on Ayesha Omar’s ashen face coupled with an endless cascade of fake tears, have surely contributed their share."
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anil sahu Jun 29, 2017 12:13pm
@Silent Observer there are no such bollywood formula. all types of movies in bollywood commercial,art, small budget sensible movie, no brainer movies. but sadly pak chooses commercial no brainers
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kamran khan Jun 29, 2017 12:45pm
wish writer had ever critically analyzed the typical movies made in our industry specialy the Punjabi and Pushto movies...its a far better movie then those...i think the writer have more issue with the "Patriotism" plot.
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Fatima Jun 29, 2017 03:08pm
PLEASE LET PEOPLE DECIDE IT FOR THEMSELVES. Such a heavy dose of criticism, that too right after the movie is released, is absurd. Give it some time and let people decide it for themselves. Your review would have been appreciated, had it come after some time. You just closed the cinema doors for most of the indecisive people out there who, after your "convincing review" would gladly settle without giving this movie a try. Without giving pakistani cinema a chance. Not that the movie did not have flaws, it did have many but can we please let people discover it themselves
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Dr. Ali Jun 29, 2017 03:46pm
@Fatima Mam those are the opinion of a movie critic and that is what they do for a living. All around the world critics come out with their review at the time of release and not after that, to help people make an educated decision. HENCE the movie comes with a statutory warning, take it or leave it, for the masses. Despite this, if the movie is good, it will do well. Remember Sholay was slandered by the critics of that time when it opened up to the public, but later on went on to become the best hit of the times. So take it easy.
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asif Jun 29, 2017 04:16pm
gud one
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henrysmith0 Jun 29, 2017 05:04pm
nice pic District News
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Ali M Jun 29, 2017 06:06pm
@Irfan up huq not sure who all you've included under, "everyone" and frankly that only over generalizes the matter. "Tons of money", images come to mind - cannesesque. Then again no harm in day-dreaming, right!? As a country (still not a nation IMHO) we continue to be in a constant cycle of chaos and are unluckily blessed with myriad problems - pick a few and continue from there! May very well be that this is what inevitably gets infused in the work of the writers, directors, and etc. and reflects on canvas of cinema. It perhaps may change but we cant look at the cinema screen for that change to happen. Suffice to say, change from within - an immediate rapid change is required. We need to break free from the shackles of trivialities such as race, creed, and so forth...
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ZAheer chaudhry Jun 29, 2017 10:40pm
Dose the camouflage can entertain the burning and blasting society ... We already have so much stuff like that. Please give a break. and if you want to push the enemies of Pakistan it will not sound like that. Concerns: Where are the travelling epics, Biographies of our great mountaineers, sportsmen, fun guides stories and some Iranian art movies inspirational scripts.?
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Ijaz Jun 30, 2017 01:54pm
@Analyst What an "Analyst" you are my dear ;)
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Ijaz Jun 30, 2017 02:10pm
@Fatima Unless we don't punish people for "non-professionalism" and let rob the public in the name of patriotism, there is no chance for any improvement. For me the author has done well to write and show people the other, and equally important if not more, aspect of "Patriotism". Without any substance, asking to pay only in the name of patriotism is no less than "begging" or at least fleecing.
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Fatima Jun 30, 2017 04:18pm
@Ijaz i get it but labelling their work 'non-professional' is harsh. It just disregards all the hardwork that they put in ( which they really did, check the bts). Considering how the cinema hasn't fully revived, I deem the movie anything but bad. It aint as bad as people have made it to be. But You're right too
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Fatima Jun 30, 2017 04:19pm
@Dr. Ali Got it :)
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chena chandel Jun 30, 2017 06:25pm
very well written incisive review- the film industry would benefit by heeding the points made and the issues raised. I do however feel for the film makers as so much of their blood sweat and tears go into the making - not getting it right must be heart breaking.
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Usman Ali Jul 03, 2017 12:41am
Analysis of budding industry without taking it's emerging status in account is very unfair. We should appreciate the movie for one of the best Pakistan film industry. Compare the movies of today to what they were 5 years back. It's easy to criticise than to correct things.
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ahmad Jul 03, 2017 02:48pm
Brilliant review. Everybody in the cinema was like "yr story kia he is film ki?"
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Sameer Jul 04, 2017 06:24pm
@waheed khan agreed, Lahoris are bad at this.
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Lieslayer Jul 08, 2017 08:52pm
@Zain ha ha ha. " i have taken numerous courses in film making" self appointed judge which courses have u taken bro ? Elaborate
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