We all have seen Noor Bukhari dance her heart out in films; she has been an integral part of acting in both films and TV and it was about time she moved a level up. That’s exactly what the child-star-turned-actress did when she turned director with Ishq Positive and displayed her impressive skills behind the camera as well.
MovieReview
There isn’t much positivity in Ishq Positive.
We all have seen Noor Bukhari dance her heart out in films; she has been an integral part of acting in both films and TV and it was about time she moved a level up. That’s exactly what the child-star-turned-actress did when she turned director with Ishq Positive and displayed her impressive skills behind the camera as well. However, bad casting decisions and an even worse script didn’t help her cause and Ishq Positive didn’t work too well with the audience and crashed at the box office.
The film revolves around Rajjo (Noor) who runs away from her own wedding and is unwillingly assisted by Wali (Wali Hamid Ali Khan). The interesting part of the story is that while Rajjo is scheduled to marry Chaudhry Basheer (Saud), Wali is engaged to get married to his sister (played by Faria). The first half revolves around Rajjo and Wali, who are on the run from Chaudhry’s goons, and the second half is all about the four soon-to-be-married individuals who have chosen the wrong partner for the right reasons.
The Dadi (Durdana Butt) is there for comic relief but the humour is directed towards those with a limited IQ. Suraj Baba’s script might appeal to the front benchers but it will leave a bad taste inside a multiplex where all seats are equal. The ‘gas’ jokes, the ‘vitamin’ mention and the death of a kukkar (cock) are something that don’t make people smile in 2016. Either write a script for the current generation or quit.
Bollywood actor Sonu Sood has a cameo in the film but it’s as a narrator who has no link to the story, which is a shame; he could have been utilized well as an actor even if it meant a couple of scenes. What saves this film from being a complete disaster are the picturesque locations and the amazing songs, some even featuring Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Director Noor claims that it was her decision to reshoot the film after it was left unfinished first by Adeel PK and later by Madam Sangeeta. As for the music, Saji Ali, Kamran Akhter and Wali Hamid Ali Khan must be commended for their efforts in what can be termed as one of the best soundtracks of recent times.
Actress Noor remains pretty despite her bulky appearance; her smile is still there and she uses it intelligently to her advantage. She has been let down by her co-actors, as everyone from experienced campaigners like Saud, Sana (item number) and even Iftikhar Thakur (cameo) failed to impress. As for Noor, the director, she doesn’t disappoint considering she uses all her experience to come out with a film that has only been let down by the script and acting.
Faria Bukhari (Noor’s sister) and Wali Hamid Ali Khan (Noor’s husband) don’t look good as the hero and the second heroine and had they been replaced by someone else when the decision to reshoot was taken, the results might have been different. Wali should stick to what his family is famous for and that is singing – he is the first cousin of Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan and Late Asad Amanat Ali Khan and son of Ustad Hamid Ali Khan. His brothers with whom he performs as Ragga Boyz appear in one of the songs and trust me, they must continue with what comes naturally to them rather than take to acting, which is alien territory for him.
