Month: January 2019

TV series

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Beshahram’ (2016)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani Drama TV Serial, ‘Beshahram’ aka Shameless (2016). Its Production House is Six Sigma Plus while its Distributor is ARY Digital Entertainment.

 

 

 

+ Crew

  1. Directed by Farooq Rind
  2. Written by Sarwat Nazir
  3. Produced by Humayun Saeed & Shehzad Nasib

 

 
+ Note

Beshahram aired on ARY Digital from 10th May 2016 to 1st Nov 2016. In total it consists of 24 episodes. The name ‘Beshahram’ of the TV drama serial is based on modeling profession of Mishi which is not considered a respected occupation in the society and secondly because her sudden marriage on LIVE talk show with an aspiring politician Haider, have created a new gossiping talk in the social media and in the press.

 

 

 

+ Main Cast

1) Saba Qamar as Mishal Tahir Malik / Mishi

2) Zahid Ahmed as Haider Bakht

3) Atiqa Odho as Sara

4) Mehmood Akhtar as Sikandar

 

 

xxxxxxx

 

 

+ Supportive Cast

5) Fia Khan as Sofia

6) Malik Raza as Wahab

7) Sundas Tariq as Humna

8) Shaista Jabeen as Khadija

9) Farah Nadeem as Shakira

10) Ghana Ali as Saba

11) Faisal Rehman as Jamal

12) Jahanzaib Khan as Daniyal

13) Rehan Sheikh as Tahir Malik

 

 

 
+ Plot

One day, two different occupational persons Mishi & Haider get into a bad argument and on the basis of ‘Dare’ get married LIVE on a talk show only to fulfill a challenge. However, this is just beginning of their problems. Since the families of the couple belong to two different social classes with huge difference of their life styles and upbringing, it brings both of them in great pressure where they start to think, to at least to give a chance to their marriage.

 

 

 

+ High Points

i – We have a strong, bold female lead character ‘Mishi’ played by Saba Qamar who has guts to face the harsh environment / situations, solving up issues in her as well as her loved ones’ lives.

ii – The two lead characters of Saba Qamar and Zain Ahmed are not only well written but greatly performed as well. Honorable Mentions: Fia Khan, Malik Raza and Ghana Ali.

iii – The story gets better and interesting as it progresses further.

iv – The direction is good.

v – The script is well written. The humor in some scenes is mild yet laughable to listen to.

vi – Malik Raza character as Wahab is a rich Punjabi paindu (redneck) person and a husband of Sofia. In the start, felt his performance as ‘Over the Top’ acting. But he cleared up the misconceptions from the viewers by making his character more likable to watch in later episodes due to his clumsy, goofy yet funny manner of talk and behavior.

 

 

 

+ Low Points

i – Although the female lead character Mishi is a strong, daring person but her straight forward, rude behavior, her anger and getting herself in unnecessary arguments would make the viewers’ very hard to like in the first few episodes. However, I do understand that this was intentionally done by the writer so that if her character shifts towards softer personality [in the later episodes] then the viewers as well as the people connected in her life including the society would gradually accept her… and perhaps would consider her as a role model.

ii – Easiest and quickest way to write a character is to make that character as a stereotype. Here we have the makeup artist character who is a dear friend of Mishi. Yes, I am aware that there are gay personality people also in this profession but the way his character is written and portrayed is very shameful. Although the writer has done a wonderful job in writing other characters but (unfortunately) here the writer’s creativity is totally lost.

iii – The photographer Kabir who starts to blackmail Saba; to show him as a bad person / villain, the director preferred the actor having his eyes wide open as if he is performing LIVE on-stage.

iv – There are several plot holes left behind in some of the episodes. For instance, when Haider is first time hospitalized; Sikander (Haider’s parental uncle) insists his wife & daughter to pay a visit at the hospital with him. After that scene, no mention of Sikander / his family visiting Haider at the hospital or shown in that / further episodes.

Second example is when Sikander informs Haider of the shop’s partial share (hefty amount) of being stolen from his house, we see Haider making a threat to register FIR against him for giving a false reason for not giving up his (Haider) share which is due on Sikander. Then even after several episodes, no complain to police or demand for his share is asked by Haider to his uncle. It seems Haider has lost interest of his father’s (deceased) partial share of the shop.

v – There are few mistakes in shooting up the scenes. Such as Qadeer tells his parents that he and his fiancée would dine out instead. Just as soon as they have walked out of the screen’s frame, his parents start to back bite of their son’s fiancée behavior and attitude. In real life, the couple would have taken only a step forward from their presence where Qadeer’s parents were back biting loudly and clearly.

vi – The character of Sikander is too loud. I believe that it can be tone down to make more believable and striking for the viewers. Even the ‘Want’ of this character is bit confused. Sometimes, he is working selfishly in able to get bigger share of the shop while in other times, he just feels that Haider is dear to him.

 

 

 

+ Overall

Beshahram’s lead performances, to cope up with acceptance of different social classes struggle to make marriage work is well handled.

 

 

Rate: 3.0 out of 5 stars

TV series

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Sangdil’ (2016)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani TV Drama Serial, ‘Sangdil’ (2016). The Production Company is ‘Geo Entertainment’.

 

 

+ Crew
I. Directed by Asad Jabal

II. Written by Sadia Akhtar

III. Produced by Babar Javed & Asif Raza Mir

 

+ Note

Sangdil aired on Geo TV from 29th Feb – 23rd Sep 2016. It consists of total 77 episodes. It aired every Mon to Fri at PKT 10:00 pm. The story is inspired by Indian TV drama ‘Amanat’ (1997) and Bollywood film ‘Aaina’ (1993).

 

 

 

+ Main Cast

  1. Kiran Haq as Sofia
  2. Ghana Ali as Zubia
  3. Naeem Haque as Zuhaib
  4. Hammad Farooqui as Shahzeb
  5. Hajra Khan as Rushna / Khala
  6. Nazlee Nasr as Farkhanda / Mom

 

xxxxxxx

 

 + Supportive Cast

  1. Kaiser Khan Nizamani as Tausif
  2. Saqlain Bashir as Rouhan
  3. Mehak Ali as Zuhaib’s Mom
  4. Parveen Soomro as Dadi #2
  5. Faisal Naqvi as Wasif / Khalo
  6. Danish Wakeel as Shehroz

 

 

 

+ Plot

It is about two stepsisters, Sofia and Zubia. Zubia is a beautiful girl but ill nature one who is often get favored by her father than towards Sofia who has very kind nature and cares for her younger step sister despite Zubia’s hatred for her. But both sisters’ lives changed once they meet prince charming neighbor, Zuhaib.

 

+ High Points
i – Ghana Ali as Zubia performance is astounding. Her performance was the real charm to watch this long drama series.

ii – Hammad Farooqui as Shahzeb, performed worthy and fully satisfied the want to see an actor to perform in supporting negative role. I’m looking forward to his upcoming projects.

iii – It was surprising to see Danish Wakeel in small supporting role. His role was small yet did an adequate work in his presence.

iv – If we look at the story, how it unfolded with time and the way it came to its conclusion… it is remarkably written.

v – The people behind Makeup and Hairstyling did a swell job.

vi – I liked how Ghana’s and Zuhaib’s character were handled in further episodes. Zubia was shown as so naïve that she literally believes anything her Khala and unable to learn from her past mistakes. Zuhaib on the other hand was the second best support to Sofia (after Farkhanda / Sofia’s mom). It was interesting to see how he treats Zubia, after accepting Sofia in his life.

vii – The ending was properly shown of every major character.

viii – Simultaneously how the life of Zubia & her Khala was going side by side, making ill-schemes for others while they are facing one themselves. Surprising thing is that they both are unable to understand or acknowledge as to why bad things are happening to them? What on earth they ever did wrong to others? It was a smart move by the writer.

 

 

 

+ Low Points
i – No matter how ill one speaks personally against Sofia, yet she would not say anything in her defense even if she is up bring as soft spoken and well mannered daughter. I am not saying that she needs to misbehave or reply harshly but to defend her actions or sayings, although occasionally she does it. — she does not even bother to mention this to her husband, rather waits until the misunderstandings are so much mixed up against her that when Sofia finally feels she needs to tell her husband the truth, he simply refuses to believe her which is btw expected to happen by now.

ii – The drama took it literally to as ‘Walls Have Ears’ or ‘The House of Whispers’. Anyone can hear any conversation he/she is having with someone in a closed room. In some cases, the room’s door is open while two characters are making mischievous schemes. Yes, the room’s door is ajar open yet continuously talking loud enough for anyone to come and listen clearly to what they are saying.

iii – I felt that the performance of the lead actor, Naeem Haque was weak and amateur. His acting was simply not up to the level of getting the lead role. The supporting cast performers did a much better job. Naeem Haque’s performance as Zuhaib was like a pampered child living in a grown man’s body.

iv – It is a trend in Pakistani TV dramas, that they usually make you believe that the lead male character is only suitable guy for the lead / supporting female character to marry with. All other guys in the world are just not as good as the lead male character. Zubia who is shown a very beautiful and rich girl, who can get any guy to marry with … is made to believe that Zuhaib is the only guy left to marry with.

The character Rouhan comes very late in the drama series.

v – I lost interest in the drama series by 13th – 15th episode, due to continuous misunderstandings and lie occurring in every episode. In other words, the story in every episode was basically the same. I was able to regain interest after 58th or 59th episode which is already TOO LATE by then.

vi – In almost every episode, Zuhaib disregards Sofia due to some lie or misunderstanding but afterwards forgives and becomes nice to her. This behavior lasted in many episodes.

vii – The black magic baba where Rushna takes Zubia to, his getup appeared more like a ‘Makayi Wala’, corn seeds seller.

viii – The (accidental) first meeting of Shahzeb & Sonia only implicates that ‘It’s a small world after all’.

 

 

 

+ Overall
The finale charms while the performances by specific stars elevates the drama series, however Sangdil is still too long with a predictable ending.

 

 

Rate: 3.25 out of 5 stars

Feature Length Films

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Azaadi’ (2018)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani Action-Drama Feature Length Film, ‘Azaadi’ aka Independence (2018). The Production House is Pervez Malik Films while its Distributor is ARY Films. This film’s music is composed by Sahir Ali Bagga.

 

 

 

+ Crew

  • Written, Directed & Produced by Imran Malik
  • Screenplay by Wajid Zuberi
  • Cinematography by Ben Jasper
  • Edited by M. Arif
  • Co-Produced by Irfan Malik

 

 

+ Note

Azaadi was released on Eid al-Fitr. The shoots have taken place at Azad Kashmir and Northern areas of Pakistan. The film key elements are of patriotism, action scenes and a deep love story.

It is based on the issue of Kashmir conflict and freedom for Jammu & Kashmir. Danish Taimoor was originally cast opposite lead female Sonya Hussain, as the lead male character of the film. But due to the fallout with the makers of the film he was later replaced by Moammar.

The music of the film has been done by Sahir Ali Bagga, Jabar Abbas, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan and Afshan Abbas. It is believed that singers such as Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch have also lent their voices for the soundtrack.

 

 

+ Main Cast

  1. Moammar Rana as Azaad
  2. Sonya Hussain as Zara
  3. Nadeem Baig as Azaad’s Father
  4. Maryam Ansari as Azaad’s Mother
  5. Erum Azam as Azaad’s Sister
  6. Ali Bilal as Mujhadeen #1

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

+ Supporting Cast

  1. Ali Fateh as Mujhadeen #2
  2. Samama Randhawa as Mujhadeen #3
  3. Waseem as Mujhadeen #4
  4. Zeeshan as Mujhadeen #5
  5. Saddam-ul-Haque as Mujhadeen #6
  6. Mariyam Khalif as N/A (Cameo)

 

 

+ Plot

Azaad has devoted his life for Kashmir cause and is now imparting his vision to the youth to keep the cause alive.

 

 

+ High Points

i – Sonya Hussain as Zara, a Pakistan-origin British journalist was the only interesting performance to watch. I can see that she has worked really hard to pull it off on-screen. Hopefully, her performance might bring her new and good budget projects.

ii – Decent work with the direction of photography. The shooting locations of northern areas and Kashmir have given a good add-on to it.

iii – A couple of songs were worthy to listen to.

 

 

 

 

 

+ Low Points

i – Moammar Rana must have taken classes from Indian film star, Rajnikanth or Hollywood star, Chuck Norris in terms of their action scenes. It’s the granddaddy of stupidity when Moammar Rana is in action! The bomb scene in the end was most spectacular of them all… NOT!

ii – Indian soldiers are shown as the most stupid people where they intentionally stood firm in their tracks as ‘Shooting ducks’ even though they could see that an unknown sniper is killing them one by one! Nowhere did they look like as real soldiers belonging to any army whatsoever. Similarly, Indian govt in Jammu Kashmir is a govern body filled with idiot and devilish schemers.

iii – It would have been awesome to watch realistic based film on this long dispute issue. Though honestly, I watched what I expected from Moammar Rana’s film.

iv – Visual Effects are worst of the worst! I can assure you that you have watch much better visual effects in a student thesis film than here. Every mujahedeen seemed as though they were wearing very powerful springs underneath their boots where they could jump high whenever they felt like it. The bomb blasts, driving scenes clearly showed that the background is just a cheap ‘C’ grade visual effect.

v – Poor performances by the supporting characters

vi – The time length duration was almost 2 hours and 45 minutes, which is too long for such a … film.

vii – Weak writing of the supporting characters

viii – Some of the dramatic scenes turned out to be comic instead.

 

 

 

+ Overall

Azaadi is a terrible action based war film which clearly forgot what the intention was behind its making but instead focused on their box office collection.

 

 

Rate: 1.25 out of 5 stars

Feature Length Films

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Waar’ (2013)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani action thriller feature length film, ‘Waar’ (2013) [Strike]. The Production Houses are Mind Works Media & Off Road Studios while its Distributors are ARY Films and Mandviwalla Entertainment.

 

 

+ Crew

  • Directed, Cinematography & Edited by Bilal Lashari
  • Music by Amir Munawar
  • Written & Produced by Hassan Rana

 

 

 

+Note

It is Bilal Lashari’s debut as a director, who has directed music videos and assisted Shoaib Mansoor in the film Khuda Kay Liye. It took three years to complete Waar. Shooting locations included Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad & Swat Valley (Pakistan), Rome (Italy) and Istanbul (Turkey). It is a stylized depiction of events surrounding the war on terror in Pakistan, including the attack on a Police Academy at Lahore in 2009.

 

 

+ Main Cast

  • Shaan Shahid as Major Mujtaba Rizvi
  • Shamoon Abbasi as Ramal
  • Meesha Shafi as Laxmi
  • Ali Azmat as Ejaz Khan
  • Hamza Ali Abbasi as Ehtesham Khattak
  • Ayesha Khan as Javeria Khattak
  • Hassan Rana as Taha Ali

 

 

 

+ Plot

A retired security officer returns to save Pakistan from a major terrorist attack.

 

 

 

+ High Points

i – Shamoon Abbasi’s performance is the best in the cast. Shamoon most often given a negative role to play where the audience sees him as type cast. However, his work in Waar is terrific as he played the character as the script demanded it to be.

ii – Hamza Ali Abbasi is very good actor where his character as Ehtesham Khattak is memorable one in this film. The sibling relationship he had and shared screen time with Ayesha Khan was worthy to watch. This was the first performance and appearance I had watched of Hamza Ali Abbasi on-screen when it was newly released on cinemas. Other Honorable Mentions: Ayesha Khan, Meesha Shafi and Shaan Shahid.

iii – The action sequences are very admirable and of high standards in the ranks of our film industry.

iv – Bilal Lashari did a commendable work in cinematography. His film editing is also very effective.

v – The costumes designing dept. did an impressive job.

 

 

+ Low Points

i – The fight sequences were mediocre-choreographed especially between Shamoon Abbasi & Shaan Shahid in the end. Shamoon was making such an effort to fight while Shaan seemed to adopt the personality of Neo from Matrix series; stopping punches and kicks with such ease, only few were able to land on him otherwise Shaan is untouchable!

ii – Some people complained on the film having too much action, violence scenes. I on the other hand was fine with it as it goes with the flow of the film’s plot and narrative.

 

 

+ Overall

Waar is a notable example of high-tech action thriller where its scenes’ encounter tension which builds remorselessly and is spectacular to watch.

 

 

Rate: 3.50 out of 5 stars

 

Theatre Plays

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Rehearsal’ (2018)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani Comedy Drama theatre play, ‘Rehearsal’ (2018). Its Production is Stage Nomad Production while its Asst. Producer & Asst. Director is Rao Nauman Rehman.

 

 

+ Crew

  • Written (Adapted) & Directed by Syed Meesam Naqvi
  • Costumes Design by Rao Nauman and Pirah
  • Set Design by Javed Bhai
  • Lighting by Ubaid Iqbal
  • Produced by Irfan Anwer

 

 

+ Note
Rehearsal is a Marathi play as Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe (aka Silence! The Court Is in Session) which was originally written in 1963 by an Indian Playwright, Vijay Tendulkar (deceased). He was also a movie and television writer, literary essayist, political journalist, and social commentator primarily in Marāthi. He is best known for other plays are Ghāshirām Kotwāl (1972), and Sakhārām Binder (1972). Late Vijay Tendulkar was awarded for it in 1970 whereas many stage and on-screen projects have adapted this play in later decades.

Rehearsal is a play where personality conflict brings out the tension among the group of people who they deemed as the weakest.

This play’s star power included two well-known names of IBA theatre play team, Hammad Ather Mehmood and Yogeshwar Karera. Most of the performers are from IBA theatre team while Muhammad Muneeb Baig and Farhan Malik are from NAPA. Previously the character of Selun Mathew was played by Faizan Fazal.

Rehearsal is the fourth stage play produced by Stage Nomad Productions and my third one to attend their play. This Production House is responsible for such plays as Court Martial (2016) and Mulzim Ya Mujrm (2017).

 

 
+ Full Cast:

  1. Faiza Mahmood as Saba
  2. Yogeshwar Karera as Samant
  3. Hammad Ather Mehmood as Nawab Sahab
  4. Mushk Kaleem as Begum Shagufta Nawab
  5. Syed Shah Hassan as Shah Kazmi
  6. Muhammad Muneeb Baig as Selun Mathew
  7. Moiz Khan as Kavish
  8. Farhan Malik as Bablu

 

 

+ Plot
A group of teachers plan to stage a play in a village. A local person is asked to replace a cast-member when he does not show up. A heavily improvised ‘Rehearsal’ is arranged where a mock trial is staged so that the learners could understand the court procedures. But soon the pretend-play turns into an accusatory game against Miss Saba (another cast member) where her real-life decision making trial begins.

 

 

+ High Points
i – The acting by the entire cast is well established, nicely executed. Everyone did swell job in playing out their characters.

ii – The adaptation of the source material, made this play into an effective one. The audience watched it with keen interest.

iii – Meesam Naqvi did good work in its direction, how the play was able to get proper, effective shape on-stage.

iv – The level of humor was light and not vulgar, which was perfect for a play like ‘Rehearsal’.

v – Solid performance pulled by Faiza Mahmood as Saba. Long before when she has to give 5-pages monologue on-stage, her performance can be safely say to be best from the rest of the cast members. Other Honorable Mentions: Yogeshwar Karera, Hammad Ather Mehmood and Syed Shah Hassan.

vi – The lighting was attractively handled to set moods and situation of the play.

 

 

+ Low Points
i – Regardless of what the original playwright says, one’s monologue can be reduced or be made less dramatic by eliminating or lessen the use of shouting, screaming. Instead, be replaced by the brief lines to share her past with the audience. Though it’s ultimately the writer’s choice, of how he wants to display it in the end. However the key to understand the pain of the character is not through the help of lengthy monologue but by making a valid point with well-chosen words.

ii – I am well aware and have understood of the character’s backgrounds completely in Rehearsal but the use of gay element or mimicry is left for those, who have underprivileged writing skills for a comic play. It is better to avoid it.

iii – The set design for an old, abandoned house could have been improved; more suitable props could have been added.

iv – I have never seen a play where the use of toilet is so much engaged by different characters without given a proper explanation.

 

+ Overall
Rehearsal is surprisingly a well-written and performed play by Stage Nomad Production since their very first play, Court Martial.

 

 

Rate: 3.50 out of 5

 

Theatre Plays

Mr. Khan’s Review on ‘Sab Golmaal Hai’ (2017)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani Comic theatre play, ‘Sab Golmaal Hai’ (2017). Its Asst. Director is Fahad Alvi while the Makeup is handled by Sabs.

 

 

+ Crew

  • Directed by Zeeshan Haider
  • Written by Babar Jamal
  • Lights & Back Stage by Shahid Bh
  • Costume Management by Pervez Ahmed & Edenrobe
  • Produced by Sarwat Gilani

 

 

+ Note
Its Creative Directors are Cyrus Karanjia & Salman Dagiya. It is a charity theatre play. In the past, Zeeshan Haider have directed a successful comic theatre play ‘Kis Ki Topi Kis K Sar’.

 

 

+ Full Cast:

  1. IR Omer as Abid
  2. Erum Ero as Shumaila / Abid’s Wife
  3. Saad Zameer Fareedi as Inspector Rana
  4. Ahmer Hussain as Arsalan
  5. Syeda Frozan Mustafa as Noreen
  6. Farhan Alam as IG Officer
  7. Noman Ali as Sar Zameen
  8. Arman Tejani as Mogambo

 

 

+ Plot
Abid is a common man who happens to accidentally swap his briefcase, with another filled with a lot of CASH.

 

 

+ High Points
i – The main ingredient to this play’s success is its direction by respected Zeeshan Haider. It’s good to see him able to bounce back where he showed everyone why he should not be underestimated. Only a talented director like him would be able to pull this off, this… complex written script.

ii – Great performance by IR Omer. He performed her role with such ease and comfortably. He is usually an ideal for lead roles while in this play he did not disappoint.

iii – Farhan Alam played of an investigating officer in supporting role. This actor is a genius when it comes to comic plays. Other Honorable Mentions: Rest of the cast.

iv – Some of the one liners were really hilarious and pleasing for enjoyment.

v – I can see the much needed improvement in writing by Babar Jamal. He has written successful plays in the past such as ‘Meare Samne Wali Kherki’ and ‘Aasman Se Gira’.

vi – The set design was nicely presented / constructed.

vii – The makeup team did a good job on their part.

 

 

+ Low Points
i – I was one of those few who found it hard to actually laugh with the audience. At best, I was smiling at some good punch lines.

ii – Since the story was written involving multiples lies and several fake ids in many different scenarios therefore at times it was hard to follow to what exactly is happening which created lot of confusion altogether.

iii – In some occasions it seemed that the performers were really trying hard to make audience laugh.

iv –  Although the play was shorten to 90 minutes, even then it felt like eternity. Unnecessary lies were only dragging the play. My suggestion to the writer is, try to reduce it further and finalize it till 80 minutes maximum. Although 75 minutes of play would be perfect in this case.

v – It was sad to see such a good actor, Arman Tejani in a small / guest role.

 

 

+ Overall
A reversion to entertaining screwball comedies, Sab Golmaal Hai lures with smooth performances and great partnership of Zeeshan Haider and Babar Jamal.

 

 

Rate: 3.25 out of 5 stars