After a tragically disappointing year for Pakistani cinema, everyone is now desperate for a good film to revive our faith in Pakistan’s ongoing ‘film revival’. This year saw the release of films that were huge PR disasters, like Project Ghazi, Thora Jee Le and Raasta, and films that simply did okay at the box office, like Mehrunisa V Lub U and Balu Mahi. None of them were outstanding.
After a tragically disappointing year for Pakistani cinema, everyone is now desperate for a good film to revive our faith in Pakistan’s ongoing ‘film revival’. This year saw the release of films that were huge PR disasters, like Project Ghazi, Thora Jee Le and Raasta, and films that simply did okay at the box office, like Mehrunisa V Lub U and Balu Mahi. None of them were outstanding.
However, it seems as though Nadeem Baig’s Punjab Nai Jaungi offers a ray of hope to those who were thinking of giving up on Pakistani cinema. The much anticipated film, starring Humayun Saeed, Mehwish Hayat, Urwa Hocane, Ahmed Ali Butt and Saba Hamid finally premiered on Tuesday and the big night attracted a plethora of celebrated stars. Film director Jami, who never misses a film premiere, was amongst the crowd as was actor Mahira Khan. Mawra Hocane attended the premiere hand in hand with her sister and Sanam Saeed also made sure to grace the red carpet. These are just a few of the dozens of names present.
Written by Khalil-ur-Rehman, the plot is centered on a feudal family from Punjab and the union of two lovers, Fawad Khagga (played by Saeed) and Amal, (played Hayat). Simply put, the film is a love story and tackles all issues that affect traditional relationships in Pakistan. However, it brings forth a progressive angle by making sure that the lead female character is a headstrong, liberated, independent woman, something we often don’t get to see on the big screen.
However, the film also romanticizes physical and psychological abuse without perhaps intending to. Saeed’s character is quite dark and dangerous but since it’s painted in a fun and light manner, one doesn’t quite realize the full extent of his actions in the entirety of the film.
Technically, the film is almost spot-on. While the three hour long duration might be a little unappealing to many, the film is fast paced and the first half is tightly packed. The events are unpredictable and one can never anticipate what will happen next. The dialogues can become a tad bit emotional and unrealistic, but at other instances, the dialogues are quite exceptionally subtle and humorous as well. There is an exchange of dialogues between Saeed and Hocane which will definitely become very popular. “Help me, Durdana!” being one.
The colour-grading appears flawed; some scenes are way too saturated where the greens, yellows and pinks are almost exploding on the screen.
What must be said though is that perhaps this is the first time a trailer has done justice to a film. Earlier, Instep had spoken to Baig who revealed that he hired two separate editors for the trailer and the actual film. “The trailer should also tell a story on its own,” he had observed and that is exactly what PNJ achieved. No one could have guessed the story from what we saw in the trailer.
However, it’s the performances that truly steal the limelight. The surprise of the evening comes in the shape of Hocane’s stellar portrayal of Durdana, Khagga’s cousin who is madly in love with him. Durdana is a complete firecracker; she’s unapologetically cunning and is absolutely full of herself. She will go to any length to get what she wants but there is also an innocence in her love for Khagga that will make you feel sympathetic towards her.
Saeed of course is completely in his element. He has never looked this good on screen and he carries the complexities of his character with finesse. Hayat has delivered a believable performance but one wouldn’t say that this is the best we’ve seen from her.
The weakest link, however, is Azfar Rehman, who plays Wasay, Hayat’s ex-boy friend. Even though he has limited screen time, Rehman appears one-dimensional with whatever he has been given. One wonders if Rehman was truly the right choice for this role.
All in all, it’s a film that will do well with the masses, even though we personally disagree with some of the creative aspects of the plot. The film hits cinemas on the first day of Eid and is all set to go up against Nabeel Qureshi’s Na Maloom Afraad 2.
