‘Saawan’

Islamabad

Banner: Kalakar Films

Director: Farhan Alam

Producer: Asma Qadri

Script: Mashood Qadri

Forthcoming new feature film Saawan is based on a story about a 9-years old boy Karam Hussain, a polio victim. Even at this tender age, the gorgeous boy has a sharp judgement with honesty, insight and meaning. He is loving, intelligent and focused. However, his disability has become a curse for him, and he being discrimination by the society, is written on the wall all over. Poverty, helplessness apart, his own father hates him. People around him think of him as a burden and liability. His caring, loving mother and his baby sister are the only rays of light (and hope) in this gloom and darkness - the only asset in these difficult times. Yes, the breath-taking picturesque locales of Skardu do provide some solace not for him but for the spectators.

Leaving backdrops aside, ‘Saawan’ brings out the harshness of brutal world close to us(and in sharp focus).Our central character is nobody to everybody. Loneliness, fear and tears are all what is left for him for his entire life. For additional conflict and dramatic tussle, the film maker has added a variety of characters ranging from a TV reporter(damn media), a criminal, a ruthless landlord, a child abductor, and of course, the heartless and brutal father. Helpless Karam is even beaten by his monster father for no fault of his own. This of course is followed by regrets, apologies and tears.

‘Saawan’ is a film without hackneyed romance, now more evident on 24/7 TV soaps and operas. ‘Saawan’ is film based on real facts and prejudices which an innocent child with special needs can face at young age. The film brings out two major issues on surface: child kidnapping and ignorance about children with special needs: polio child. This cinema effort not only must be applauded and appreciated but widely encouraged so the public in general and film enthusiasts in particular, must go and see what must be seen. The film states the facts and does not manipulate our emotions which are often visible in films on special children. In this case, ‘Saawan’ merely portray the harsh reality with immediacy, showing the misery and poverty in inhabitants who have been living for ages where the fittest not only survives but also thrives.

‘Saawan’ is coming out in cinemas this summer. The lensing took place in Skardu and the post-production was completed in India and the United States. Two songs played over the characters are by Virdi and Akhtar Chanal Zahri. Adeel Ali and Fahad Siddiqui are the composers.

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