A review on Pakistani Rom-Com feature length film, Heer Maan Ja (2019). The Production House is IRK Films and Arif Lakhani Films while its Distributors are Geo Films and Distribution Club.
+ Crew
- Directed by Azfar Jafri
- Written by Owais Korai Baloch
- Director of Photography by Rana Kamran
- Edited by Mitesh Soni
- Produced by Imran Raza Kazmi, Hareem Farooq & Arif Lakhani
+Note
Heer Maan Ja is around two people who are extremely enthusiastic about life and their future together. There is a hidden message regarding honor killings in this film.
This is the third time where Hareem Farooq has worked in a film produced by her. The music is composed by Ahmed Ali. Previous two films where Ali Rehman has worked with Hareem Farooq are Allahyar (2018) and Parchi (2018).
Heer Maan Ja is the fourth film from IRK Films directed by Azfar Jafri.
+ Main Cast
- Ali Rehman Khan as Kabeer
- Hareem Farooq as Heer
- Faizan Shaikh as Wajdaan
- Mojiz Hassan as Jerry
- Shamayale Khattak as Ramzan/Ramzy
- Aamina Sheikh as Saba
- Abid Ali as Heer’s Father
- Anjum Habibi as Wajdaan’s Father
- Ali Kazmi as Heer’s Friend
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+ Supporting Cast
- Samina Nighat as Heer’s Mother
- Munazzah Arif as Wajdaan’s Mother
- Saleem Mairaj as Gangster
- Mikaal Zulfiqar as Doctor
- N/A as Kabeer’s Co-worker
- Shaz Ali Khan as Kabeer’s Friend
- Zara Sheikh as Dance Girl (Cameo)
- Ahmed Ali Akbar as N/A
+ Plot
Heer and Kabeer part ways following a misunderstanding and a tragedy. Years later, there is an encounter which leads to a roller coaster ride of a journey while Heer is in danger.
+ High Points
i – Rare to say this but this film does manage to connect emotionally between their lead characters and the audience. Not often do you see that in a Pakistani film. Either they overdo it or ignore it altogether which is always a bad sign for any genre film.
ii – The writing may not have lived up to one’s expectations but good direction by Azfar Jafri have made this film quite watchable and funny.
iii – Faizan Shaikh as Wajdaan, the film’s antagonist has played his part really well. Previous performances I have watched of his was in Parchi (2018) and Maalik (2016). In both films, he did a good job as an actor. Here too, he gives a splendid performance who looked a real threat to the protagonist to deal with.
iv – Mojiz Hassan’s performance as Jerry, surprised many with his comic performance. Before entering the film industry, he has performed in a number of theatre plays including of Anwar Maqsood’s. We welcome Mojiz to be part of our media industry and looking forward to his upcoming projects. Other Honorable Mentions: Ali Rehman Khan.
v – The direction of photography as well as its lighting made the film visually interesting. Rana Kamran is one of the best cinematographers to do that.
vi – The comic relief characters such as Jerry & Ramzy played by Mojiz Hassan & Shamayale Khattak respectively bought much of the film laughter.
vii – Noteworthy cameos played by Mikaal Zulfiqar and Aamina Sheikh. They made their presence felt and brief comic performance to remember them by.
viii – Good work behind its makeup & hair styling department. The main characters especially were able to glamour on-screen.
+ Low Points
i – There were times where the film was at 5th gear of comedy and other times where the film is so much violent. What’s that all about? Try to keep it balance. I was not really sure whether I was watching rom-com or drama-action film. I know that some international films do this genre swap formula. But not every time it works. There are some ‘Hits’ and ‘Misses’ in the international market as well. Stick to the basics, first. Get that right a number of times till you know it well and then do experiments with your films.
ii – Hareem Farooq looks old enough to play these kinds of roles. Hey, I’m not saying that she needs to come in mother’s role. Well, she… doesn’t quite fit in this… love sweet heart roles. Its just, some people start to look older quicker on-screen, that’s all.
iii – This is the first time where I did not enjoy Ali Kazmi’s performance. Here he plays a ‘Tootla’ character which definitely didn’t come out well. He was trying hard to sound funny. And what’s with his Woody Wood Pecker’s hairdo that he always has? You pick any TV serial or film of his, this is the exact same hair style that he has. Change it for God’s sake! Don’t good actors change their hairdo or have a complete makeover when they are doing a different role?
iv – There is definitely some good comedy in the film… but then there’s childish comedy also.
v – After letting the audience know of Kabeer’s terminal illness, it is barely touched upon throughout the film. As if, it didn’t matter anymore. Similarly, with such a family tragedy at hand, Heer decides to wear glowing sneakers to run away from her marriage. Interesting…
vi – Was it not better to see young actors playing the flashback scenes during their college/university days of Kabeer & Heer being together? Instead of making the two lead stars to look ‘Younger’, it would have been a better option to show two young actors playing their lead roles only in flashback. Then the camera & visuals intervene and make the Ali Rehman & Hareem Farooq standing in their places to show the present time. It’s purely director’s call on this. What he has already shown does works also.
vii – So much appreciation given to the film’s sponsors and team. Rather than showing everyone in 2 – 3 slides, every sponsoring partner was getting a separate thanks. Oh, I can assure you that this is really annoying.
viii – When the special thanks slide was given to the McDonalds in the start, it immediately occurred to me to their ruinous product placements that they usually do in every film they get their hands on. Rather than being disastrous, the film tried best to keep them away from the main frame. But still, product placement by McDonalds or any major company most often ends up real’ bad for any film in Pakistan.
ix – The song with Zara Sheikh is a forgettable one.
+ Overall
Unlike many rom-com films released this year, Heer Maan Ja surprisingly has a heart to connect to.
Rate: 3.0 out of 5 stars
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