The Paki film industry has only been a poor cousin
of Bollywood. That's the feeling we get looking at the quality of films
(read poor copies of Bollywood), that Lollywood has churned out year
after year for so many years...........Poor technique and lack of
originality has done them in, time and again..
But this one that got Indian release months after the Pakistani
release, and had some pleasant surprises in store. After the all glam
med up 'Race' which lacked the basic - a good screenplay and the very
poor '123', the viewers finally got the opportunity to spot a good
story here. Wish the production values and the technical aspects were
as good too…
This one's not a formula flick with silly song and dance routines. It's based around an issue.
The story did have a tale to tell and a message to convey. About the
Muslim viewpoint- how the world looks at them post 9/11 and the pull
they feel at home from fundamentalists! So the stuff talked about here
is all real!
It's the story of two brothers (Shan and Fawad Khan) running together.
While the younger brother falls in to the trap set by fundamentalists
and leaves his music career to serve Islam, the elder brother leaves
for US to pursue a career in music. And there is their uncle in London
who is okay with having relationships with white women but
isn't okay
with his daughter choosing a white husband. Height of hypocrisy, quite
true to real life! The lead actress trying to escape from Afghanistan
had glimpses of the Sally Field starrer 'Not without my daughter.'
This movie though should appeal to the intellectual class more, needs attention to grasp a few important things.
The chaste Urdu used in several portions is hard to comprehend. Guess subtitles would have helped the commoners a great deal.
The hero Shan does a pretty good job and you get to know why he is considered the Shah Rukh of Pakistan.
Even though at many times looks far too chubby to pass off as a
youngster, he does well. So does the foreign actress Austin Marie Sayre
cast opposite him! But then the track where people get carried away by
the music of Pakistan in Chicago look a bit too far fetched! Didn't
know Paki music was so very popular!
Paki model Iman Ali looks nice but could've done with better
expressions. Fawad Khan the singer- actor plays second fiddle. He
sleepwalks through the role at times, just like his character.
Hameed Sheikh plays the irritating and political Maulvi, and actually that proves that he is actually a good actor!
Our very own
Naseeruddin Shah shines in a guest appearance. A very
convincing Maulvi act! He is a powerhouse performer, no doubt about
that!
If only the film had been provided with better production values and
cinematography, 'Khuda Key Liye' would sure have been better on the
whole! If you are looking at pure popcorn entertainment, then this
one's not your cup of tea. If not, you can give it a try!
(SAMPURN)
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